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After a successful UFC debut, which weight class do you want to see Daniel Cormier compete in next, and who should he face?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I want to see Cormier do what's expected of the second best heavyweight in the world; fight the best heavyweight in the world. That's what athletes are supposed to do; challenge themselves against the best. Apparently Cormier is willing to settle for second-best and is afraid to see how good he can be, so as a result I don't care what he does next as much as I would if he actually wanted to be great.
C.J. TUTTLE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I await the "dominant" Daniel Cormier that has been promised. I await a match-up with someone whom I consider a formidable and proven opponent that has fought against top competition in the weak revolving door that is the heavyweight division. Short answer to this question is, remain at heavyweight, run through everyone (Roy Nelson next). Fight the top guys: Dos Santos and Velasquez. Then worry about changing weight classes.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I honestly don't care one bit where Cormier goes. The way he fought against Frank Mir, he's going to have to improve his game a lot if he ever hopes to sniff a title shot in either division. I don't know what happened to the guy who beat Josh Barnett and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva, but that wasn't him in the cage against Mir. Bring that guy back and I might be interested. Otherwise, I'll pass.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I want to see Daniel Cormier move to 205 and give Jon Jones the fight of his life. Even with a 30 pound weight disadvantage against Frank Mir, he dominated him thoroughly throug the entire fight. That is very impressive and shows that he could one day he the best pound for pound fighter not named Anderson Silva.
TONY BECERRA, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I would like to see Daniel Cormier fight at least once more in the heavyweight division, maybe even at a catchweight fight with a top light heavyweight. It's been well publicized that he will not fight his friend and current champion Cain Velazquez, but I think its important that if he does cut down to light heavyweight its done so the right way. Someone like Dan Henderson would be a good match up for him next.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think he should stay at heavyweight a little longer. Had he dominated Mir, he would have made a larger step towards a title shot. He should fight another top ten heavyweight. Should he win that fight, Cormier should consider a drop to light heavyweight and make a run at the title. I think if he can make the cut smartly, he can walk into the heavywight division and be fighting for the title late in 2014.
ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST
Daniel Cormier vs. Junior Dos Santos would be a great heavyweight fight. I also think Cormier could slow down his title track if desired by taking on the dangerous Travis Browne. I do think the Jon Jones bought at Light Heavyweight would be ideal, but Jones has to get through Chael Sonnen first. If Sonnen upsets the champ Cormier should immediately jockey for a title shot at light heavyweight. Either LW Championship bout would most likely come after Cormier takes one more heavyweight fight.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
For me, the jury is still out on Daniel Cormier at heavyweight. Swap Frank Mir for Cain Velasquez or Junior dos Santos in that fight and he loses to both guys. If you can't finish a guy like Mir who's past his prime, then I’m not buying the hype. Admittedly he did what he had to do and he won the fight at a canter. Yet, he's not going to get away with doing that against higher calibre opponents.
His best course of action is to move down to Light-heavyweight and hope he can do it safely. In no way does he deserve a title shot against Jon Jones and I’m sure he'd want a warm-up fight first anyway. The winner of Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans in June would be perfect either way. If he cuts weight safely and beats either of those two: I'll happily buy into the hype.
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