Roy Nelson Likely to Fight Mark Hunt or Daniel Cormier Next

UFC heavyweight Roy Nelson is coming off a devastating knockout victory over French kickboxer Cheick Kongo at UFC 159 on Saturday night. The win puts him on a three-fight, first-round knockout streak.

Always a fan-favorite for his bruising style and unique in-ring look, Nelson has earned his stripes in the Octagon since winning the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. He is 6-3 in the UFC, while defying critics who say he can’t compete with his less-than-stellar physique.

After all, just one look at the six-pack challenged Nelson and you could assume that it was going to be a one-sided beat down for the physically imposing Frenchman.

But as most know by now, that was not the case.

At the UFC 159 post-fight press conference at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., following Nelson’s successful destruction of Kongo, UFC president Dana White broke from his usual form and let everyone know what he thinks should be next for the bearded brawler.

“Me and Joe (Silva, UFC matchmaker) never talk about fights the night of the fights, but we talked tonight,” said White. “And we like Roy Nelson vs. (Daniel) Cormier; or Roy Nelson – if Mark Hunt wins – Roy and Mark.”

Nelson made it clear that he has title aspirations, but White said if that’s what Nelson truly wants, he’ll have to increase his level of competition get it.

“If he wants to get close to the title, those are the guys he’s going to have to face,” White stated.  “I know what he wants is a title shot, and I honestly think he deserves to get a fight with one of the top guys to get him closer to that or to get him that shot.”

Cormier, who must have been watching the press conference stream, liked the match-up.

“Hey @danawhite ur right I think Roy nelson and I would be a damn good fight,” he tweeted, while the press conference was ongoing. “How about it @roynelsonmma?”

When Nelson was asked about a potential match-up with either fighter, he was his usual carefree self.

“I’m there, whatever,” said Big Country. “I want to fight the best in the world and fighting Daniel, you know, he’s an Olympian.  I’m more than happy to welcome him to the UFC.

“Mark Hunt, if he can get past (Junior dos Santos), that’s great. If he doesn’t, I’d still fight Mark Hunt because I know the fans want to see that one. I’m all about making everybody happy.”