What next for Daniel Cormier:

Who will rise from the woodwork to face 'DC' next?

After comprehensively stream rolling Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson at UFC 210, Lafayette native Daniel 'DC' Cormier, finally asserted himself as the most dominant Light Heavyweight currently active in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. UFC 210 was a show full of shocks, with the main event no different. A tactical nightmare for Dublin, Georgia powerhouse Johnson, seen him tap to a rear-naked choke in the second round, after he instigated the wrestling exchanges with Olympic level wrestler Cormier, and so similarly to the pairs meeting at UFC 187, gassed and gave up. That wasn't the only shock of the headliner, as 'Rumble' Johnson, to everyones surprise, announced that he would be stepping away from the sport indefinitely, to pursue a new ''lucrative'' career move. Looking back in hindsight, it was clear to see that Johnson's head just wasn't set on claiming the 205lbs crown when the fight started and based on his performance, he most certainly had one foot out the door. So with Cormier's closest competition 'Rumble' walking away, I look at who awaits 'DC' next.

Jon Jones rematch: If anyone wants this fight more than the fans, it's champion Cormier. Moving to 19-1 last Sunday, the only blotch on Daniel's record, came against long time foe Jones back at UFC 182. One of the most hate filled rivalries in UFC history, Jones and Cormier have traded barbs ever since that the bout at 182, and with rematchs booked for UFC 197, a foot injury to Cormier seen him replaced by Ovince Saint Preux, and it looked as if we would finally see the long awaited bout at UFC 200, but a doping violation against Jones once more delayed the rematch. UFC President Dana White then explained how he wouldn't be able to trust Jones to headline a card in the future after his troubled past, so a co-main event slot behind Conor McGregor or even Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping, may be suitable for the bad blood to be exerted.

Jimi Manuwa meeting: Behind only Anthony Johnson as the most feared KO artist in the Light Heavyweight division, Jimi 'Posterboy' Manuwa has truely earned his shot at Daniel Cormier. Sitting cage side at UFC 210, Manuwa had a close eye on 'DC' after the match, claiming ''one punch'' would be all he would need to finish Cormier. With 15 of his 17 match victories coming by way of KO, Manuwa presents himself as a real danger to Cormier. Losses to only elite Light Heavyweights Alexander Gustafsson and the aforementioned 'Rumble' on his record, Manuwa is a legitamate title challenger, proving so after stopping OSP in Manchester, and just recently, starching Corey Anderson in their main event contest.

The winner of Alexander Gustafsson and Glover Teixiera: The least likely match up for Cormier, would be to face either of these next. Despite this, Cormier and Gustafsson have quite significant history, with 'DC' successfully defending his title for the first time against 'The Mauler', only by a razor sharp decision, while Brazilian boxer Teixiera also presents an equally dangerous match up for 'DC'. With highlight wins over 'Sokoudjou', 'Rampage' Jackson, OSP and former Light Heavyweight champ Rashad Evans to boast about, Teixiera is a dangerous striker and often, an underestimated customer. In my own opinion, I would much rather see a rematch between Jones and Gustafsson or Glover, before the once P4P king jumps back into action, while Manuwa makes a siege on Cormier's crown.

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