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Morning Report: Daniel Cormier next for winner of Alexander Gustafsson vs. light heavyweight champion

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Despite light heavyweight champion Jon Jones' recent offer to help, it seems UFC matchmaker Joe Silva still has a job. With UFC president Dana White confirming that Alexander Gustafsson will now face the winner of Jones' upcoming title bout with Glover Teixeira, fans were left wondering where Daniel Cormier figures in. Responding to a fan on Twitter, White made it known that 'DC' will now face the winner of Gustafsson vs. the light heavyweight champion following UFC 172 in April.

Should Jones defeat Teixeira Apr. 26 in Baltimore, Gustafsson would be handed his much ballyhooed rematch of 2013's 'Fight of the Year.' Jones earned a narrow unanimous decision victory against Gustafsson in September at UFC 165 and fans have clamored to see the pair go again ever since. Cormier, who recently dispatched newcomer Patrick Cummins at UFC 170, is still looking to build his resume at 205.

Without much a claim at a light heavyweight title shot, Cormier said Saturday that Gustafsson being next in line shouldn't be a surprise. Additionally, Cormier plans to remain active rather than wait on a title shot, not likely until 2015. Doing a bit of matchmaking of his own, Cormier says he wouldn't be opposed to facing the winner of UFC 172's co-main event between Phil Davis and Anthony Johnson for the No. 1 contender spot.

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MEDIA STEW

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Countdown to UFC 171: Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler.

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Highlights from RFA 13.

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Dana White's post-fight scrum.

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Post-fight interview, highlights and Jones callout from Alexander Gustafsson.

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Relive the magic from Hendo vs. Shogun I.

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Just listen to the impact of this KO. Skip to 9:00

(HT to r/MMA)

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Long watches.

UFC Fight Night 37 post-fight press conference video

Forrest Griffin, Conor McGregor, Ross Pearson & Joanne Calderwood: UFN 38 London Q&A Pt 1 of 3

Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana scrum: Mayweather on Maidana deserving fight, Age

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TWEETS

As always, make sure to check out our 'Pros react' piece for instant reaction from UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa.

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Victory lap.

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Better luck next time.

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Congrats.

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Sent just a minute apart.

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Fun.

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Nice.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Mar. 7-9 2014)

cancelled Nah-Shon Burrell vs. War Machine at Bellator 112

cancelled Sam Oropeza vs. Joe Riggs at Bellator 112

cancelled Jesse Juarez vs. Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 112


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FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.

What We NOW Know About UFC Fight Night 38 Main Card... And What Should NOW Be Done.

Another UFC event has passed... and there was actually more finishes than decisions! Considering the inordinate amount of decisions as of late, this was incredibly refreshing. Wait... you want the actual details of who fought and won? Well, I suppose that is why I type these things up so you win.

Alexander Gustafsson had very little trouble with dispatching an overmatched Jimi Manuwa and setting up a rematch of epic proportions. More details on that in a bit. Though the co-main event was a major stinker, the rest of the main card went as expected and produced some good action. In a change of scenery though, there doesn't seem to be a single controversy from the event. If you really want one I'll have to either make up something. But I just deal in facts, not opinions (wink). Though what to do with Gustafsson is obvious, there are more questions for the rest of the card. I'll fill ya in though.

...

Check out the rest of the post here.

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Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.

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