What’s Next For The UFC Light-Heavyweight Division After UFC Hamburg?

What’s Next For The UFC Light-Heavyweight Division After UFC Hamburg?

By Dan McConnell

There has been a lot of uncertainty surround the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division in recent times. With Champion Daniel Cormier chasing stars at Heavyweight, Jon Jones still serving his USADA suspension, the latest Gustafsson injury and potential top contenders beaten there is plenty cause for concern for the division.

Current UFC Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier looks to pursue a super-fight with Brock Lesnar at Heavyweight, with no promise to defend his 205 pound title. This causes a huge problem for the rest of the 205 contenders as it will hold up the entire division.

The only other fights at 205 that interest Cormier are the Alexander Gustafsson rematch or a fight with Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua. Cormier has since ended speculation that he would warrant Gustafsson a rematch, arguing their time has passed as he peruses his own plans chasing big money fights before his eventual retirement. While Shogun was defeated by Anthony Smith at UFC Hamburg ending that possible fight for the Light-Heavyweight title.

When you look at the bigger picture Cormier is 39 and has said that he has 2 fights left in him before retirement. His previous weight cuts for the Oezdemir, Jones and Rumble Johnson fights looked like his time at Light-Heavyweight may be over soon questioning can he still make the 205 pound limit? It was inevitable his UFC Heavyweight debut would be sooner rather than later and disregarding the Gustafsson rematch almost guarantees DC is sticking around at Heavyweight.

A possible number one contender fight between Gustafsson and Oezdemir was set to go ahead at UFC 227 but both men have been pulled from the fight due to injury. Jon Jones should be returning to the promotion soon but with Cormier setting his sights on Lesnar a third bout with Jones for the Light-Heavyweight title is up in the air. We must not forget about Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson who from retiring in April 2017, has been out of competition but suggested a comeback to the company at Heavyweight but he is most needed at Light-Heavyweight. Rumble would need to enter the USADA anti-doping drug testing pool for 6 months before stepping back inside the octagon.

Cormier’s training partner and former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold offers some help, he has previously suggested making the move up to 205 from 185.

Similarly Yoel Romero is set to follow Rockhold’s path into the division, both fighters would add a spark to this much-needed weight class but there has been no official confirmation from either fighter’s camps.

However this doom and gloom over the division, there has been a change in rankings of recent which should breed new life at 205. On Sunday at UFC Hamburg Anthony Smith knocked out Shogun Rua in the first round of the main-event to announce his presence in the division while taking his opportunity with both hands. From making the switch to 205 ‘Lionheart’ has taken down legends in Rashad Evans and now Shogun Rua. On the same card at UFC Hamburg this past weekend Corey Anderson defeated 3rd ranked Light-Heavyweight Glover Teixeira to push himself inside the top 5.

llir Latifi was the man originally matched up with Teixera but had to withdraw due to injury. While Jan Blachowicz is riding 3-fight win streak. Both fighters are still in the top contender’s position and it will be interesting to see who the UFC matchmakers will face them off against next.

Three sleepers within the division have to be Khalil Rountree, Aleksander Rakic and Dominick Reyes. Rountree impressively knocked out Gokhan Saki at UFC 226 setting his record to 7-2. While Rakic impressively defeated Justin Ledet on Sunday announcing his name in the division to improve to 10-1. Number 11 ranked Reyes is an undefeated 9-0 pro who has went 3-0 in the UFC and is certainly one to watch.

The question is when will Daniel Cormier relinquish his Light-Heavyweight title? The answer? No one knows. The division will continue to move on without DC but eventually there will need to be the gold pot at the end of the rainbow.