Roy 'Big Country' Nelson

By Michael Hatamoto

Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson absolutely destroyed Cheick Kongo with a first round knockout last night at UFC 159, climbing back into the heavyweight title mix.

UFC President Dana White and Nelson both fielded questions about what could be next for the 36-year-old fighter later in 2013. Here is what White said during the post-fight press conference:

“We like Roy Nelson vs. Cormier… And Roy Nelson vs. Mark Hunt if Hunt wins.”

I don’t see Hunt beating Junior dos Santos, but think he would earn a fight against Nelson if he manages to win at UFC 160 next month. However, the idea of watching Nelson try to knock out Cormier while Cormier attempts to work Nelson against the cage would provide a great stylistic matchup.

Here is what Cormier said (via Twitter):

Hey @danawhite ur right I think Roy nelson and I would be a damn good fight. How about it @roynelsonmma

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 28, 2013

I think Cormier vs. Nelson makes sense right now, as it would be an entertaining fight and if Nelson wins, he deserves a title shot. Nelson hasn’t been finished since an EliteXC fight against Andrei Arlovski in 2008, and he can take a high amount of damage – and can also dish out brutal boxing against opponents.

The UFC is in a tough spot with a few fighters, as there is no way the UFC wants to give Hunt a title fight if he beats JDS – and I don’t think fans want to watch a JDS vs. Nelson rematch any time in the near future.

It’ll be fun to see what White and UFC matchmaker Joe Silva want to do with the upper half of the heavyweight division.