Daniel Cormier

By FCF Staff

Although the consensus is that Daniel Cormier’s clearest path to victory at UFC 192 is to work the clinch or take Alexander Gustafsson to the mat, the champ isn’t afraid to stand with the noted striker.

Cormier has certainly demonstrated that he’s much more than an accomplished wrestler in recent years, but in Gustafsson, he’ll face an opponent who has one of the best striking pedigrees at 205. The latter is also 6’4 tall, while Cormier is 5’11.

Recently, the champion appeared on “UFC Tonight“, and here is some of what Cormier had to say about Gustafsson’s stand-up game and reach (comments via FOX Sports 1 press release):

“It’s an advantage if I allow it to be. He’ll have two things to do in the fight: he’ll have to run a lot so I can’t get close to him and he’ll wear down. Or he’ll have to fight me on inside and that’ll wear him down as well. Distance will be key if I allow it to be, which I never do.”

“I still beat Gustafsson if I have to stand. I have more power than him and I’m faster than him. I’ll fight him where I want him to fight him. I’m not afraid to have a stand-up fight with Gustafsson.”

Cormier laid claim to the vacated 205 title in May by putting his wrestling game into action and submitting Anthony Johnson, one of the division’s most feared strikers.

Saturday’s UFC 192 will be hosted by the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.