Cormer (photo courtesy Showtime)

By Michael Hatamoto

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier looks forward to dropping down to the UFC light-heavyweight division, chasing a possible title shot in 2014.

I am tired of all the drama surrounding Cormier over the past year – he’s a legitimate contender in both the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, but he seems to enjoy the media attention a bit too much.

His latest round of drama involves a move down to light heavyweight and which opponents he wants to face – and where the fights should take place.

Cormier welcomes a fight with light-heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson, which the UFC wants to host in Europe, but Cormier wants the matchup to take place in the US. If not Gustafsson, Cormier welcomes a fight with either Phil Davis or Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his light-heavyweight debut in early 2014.

A fight against Cormier and Davis would be interesting, and both fighters are top-level MMA wrestlers, but calling out “Lil Nog” doesn’t really make sense.

If Cormier is serious about dropping to 205 lbs., then he should take a fight with Gustafsson in Europe and get in there to make it happen.

A win against Davis will show the UFC – and MMA fans – that Cormier is a great threat, but a win against an old, banged up “Lil Nog” won’t really matter.

However, I like the idea of Cormier not immediately facing Gustafsson, as the UFC would have two viable light-heavyweight opponents for champion Jon Jones to meet in 2014. Despite his strong collegiate wrestling background, I don’t think Cormier would be able to continually take Jones down over 25 minutes, nor strike with the champion.

The UFC should pick an opponent for Cormier and determine where the fight will take place, then simply make it happen. I’ve had enough with fighters trying to influence the media and UFC President Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva, especially when there are very few viable contenders for Jones to fight right now.