Daniel Cormier Open to Fighting for Heavyweight Title After UFC 220

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier may be looking down the line at a potential return to the heavyweight division.

In an interview on MMAjunkie Radio (h/t MMA Junkie's Fernanda Prates), Cormier responded to the prospect of beating the winner of UFC 220’s main event, Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou, for the UFC heavyweight title by stating, “It would be the most amazing thing in the world.”

Cormier is a former Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix victor and started his UFC career by going 2-0 in the heavyweight division. The current 205-pound champion has only been a light heavyweight since February of 2014. Thirteen of his 19 professional wins have come in the heavyweight division.

Cormier spoke about the process it would take for the scenario to play out. He would need to construct a plan with his team to bulk back up “to a healthy, strong, 235, 240 pounds.”

The thought of Cormier returning to heavyweight for a showdown against the winner of the heavyweight title tilt is nothing new. Prominent figures such as MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani have already pontificated about this plan. With both light heavyweight and heavyweight belts up for grabs at UFC 220, it is an idea most definitely in play for 2018.

For it to become a viable option, Cormier must first defeat Volkan Oezdemir in the co-main event at UFC 220 in Boston at the TD Garden arena on January 20. If Cormier gets past another 205-pound contender, perhaps a superfight with the heavyweight champion will be in order.