The immediate future of the UFC’s light heavyweight belt rides on the outcome of UFC 210’s headliner, a rematch between champion Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson.

Beyond that point, however, things get a little murky. Although a UFC Fight Night 109 clash between top contenders – and former title challengers – Glover Teixeira (26-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC) and Alexander Gustafsson (17-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) could very well elect a worthy candidate for the next shot, the re-introduction of a big piece of the 205-pound puzzle in July certainly changes things.

Set to end a one-year suspension following from a failed test before an ultimately scrapped UFC 200 headliner against Cormier (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC), ex-champ and all-time-great Jon Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is likely to get a shot at reclaiming his majesty upon return.

A variety of outside-the-octagon issues have not only hurt Jones’ credibility, but also kept him sidelined for a time in which other colleagues have actively battled for their spots at the top.

But, as it turns out, even some of the most interested parties seem to take no issue with Jones picking right back up from where he left off.

That includes, for instance, champ Cormier.

“For a guy who’s been as dominant as he was, obviously his resume says that he always should get a title fight,” Cormier told MMAjunkie “I’m a straight shooter. I’m not going to sit here and try to downplay the guy’s accomplishments. I know who he is, I know who he was, so he should always be around a title fight. I won’t downplay his accomplishments and say he’s not worthy. But we’ll see. I always want to fight him.

“I told you guys time and time again: If they would have let me fight him again, I would have fought him in two days even after he tested positive for steroids. I would have still fought him. I asked to sign a waiver to fight him even though his test came back dirty. So yeah, I’d love to fight him, of course.”

Cormier is currently ranked No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA light heavyweight rankings, sitting behind Jones (who is also No. 2 in the pound-for-pound listing).

No. 6-ranked Teixeira was also beat by Jones once. But, while Cormier got a chance to claim the 205-pound crown right after his own championship setback, Teixeira walked a rocky path to get back in the mix. Should he beat No. 7 Gustafsson and improve to a 5-1 in his past six, the Brazilian heavy-hitter would welcome a new stab at the belt.

But he won’t be mad if that turns out not to be the case.

“Maybe before Jones is back, they line up that title fight,” Teixeira told MMAjunkie. “Who knows, we’ve got a month to figure that out. Because we know after Jones comes back…. The truth is I wanted to fight before Jones comes back – not to fight, but at least have that fight lined up for the belt.

“Jones deserves the – you know, with him coming back and getting the title shot, nobody’s going to complain about that. Because the guy had his problems outside the octagon, but in there he’s done his job.”

Teixeira’s opponent also carries a lot of interest in Jones’ return. Having fallen short on the scorecards after a thrilling battle that some thought he’d won, Gustafsson makes no secret of what a rematch would mean. And, at the same time, he believes the rankings and timing could turn his headliner against Texeira into a title eliminator.

Gustafsson says he would “never turn down a fight against Jones or a title shot, for that matter.” But, aware that the ex-champ’s next matchup may very well be against either Cormier or Johnson, he chooses to focus on the task at hand.

“I don’t have any expectations after this fight,” Gustafsson told MMAjunkie. “I don’t look past this fight, I don’t even care about the title shot now. My mind, my focus, is Glover now, 100 percent. I know Jones is coming back, it’s also a great thing, but let’s see what happens after this fight.

“I’m going to win this fight, going to do a mission complete for Glover then I’m going to look at what’s the next step. I don’t really look at rankings and the title shot right, I’ve got my hands full with Glover right now.”

Meanwhile, should Johnson (22-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) claim the title at UFC 210, a matchup with Jones would be a fresh pairing for MMA fans – and one many have longed to see. Johnson’s power is unmatched in the division, and perhaps in all the sport, which would certainly provide Jones with a stern test coming off of a lengthy layoff.

But “Rumble” isn’t letting his focus waiver ahead of his second crack at Cormier.

“Jon hasn’t crossed my mind at all or what’s after this fight,” Johnson said. “I’m focused on Daniel, and that’s all I need to focus on right now. I’ll think about whoever and whatever (on) April 9. Maybe April 10.”

“I haven’t been thinking about Jon. That’s the last person that’s even crossed my mind. That’s just – I don’t have a reason to think about him right now. I have to fight Daniel, not Jon, so I don’t think about Jon. So him returning or anything like that just isn’t in my thought process. It’s just not relevant to me right now.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.