Morning Report: Dana White says the UFC has a title fight lined up for Daniel Cormier, not Francis Ngannou

On Sunday night, Francis Ngannou made quick work of Cain Velasquez, knocking out the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion in just 26 seconds at UFC Phoenix. After the biggest win of his career, Ngannou began lobbying for a title shot, saying that heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier “should come to avenge his teammate.” Unfortunately for Ngannou, it doesn’t look like that will be in the cards for him.

Speaking with ESPN after the fight, UFC President Dana White revealed that the UFC already has an opponent lined up Cormier.

“Well yeah, Francis is there,” White said. “Cormier’s hurt right now and we have another fight lined up for Cormier first so, we’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”

When Cormier won the title at UFC 226, a superfight with Brock Lesnar was immediately teased. However, despite Lesnar rejoining USADA in July, there has been little discussion about his impending return, leaving even Cormier to wonder if the fight with happen. Meanwhile, Cormier has been dealing with injuries since his heavyweight title defense against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230, leaving who is is fighting next completely up in the air and Dana White did not care to illuminate either.

“[Cormier] is not healthy yet so I would never announce a fight without it being done,” White said when questioned about the opponent for Cormier. “It makes no sense. I don’t even know when Cormier’s gonna be ready.”

Cormier is currently sidelined with a back injury and just last week announced that he would be pushing back his planned retirement date while he recovers.

MUST-READ STORIES

Results. Francis Ngannou finishes Cain Velasquez in opening minute at UFC Phoenix.

Results. Matt Mitrione vs. Sergei Kharitonov ends in no-contest after low blow at Bellator 215.

Results. Michael ‘Venom’ Page earns tactical win over Paul Daley at Bellator 216.

Results. Vanessa Porto beats Pearl Gonzalez for title by technical decision after eye poke at Invicta 34.

Bonuses. Vicente Luque, Bryan Barbarena, Luke Sanders, and Kron Gracie earned bonuses.

VIDEO STEW

UFC Phoenix Post-Fight Show.

Bellator highlights.

Invicta highlights.

LFA 60 highlights.

TTTHS.

LISTEN UP

SBN Post-Fight. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Phoenix.

6th Round. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Phoenix.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Cold blooded.

Al the hero.

More from Poirier.

Ouch.

Gross.

Conor been very respectful on Twitter lately.

Savage.

Inevitable.

Anniversary.

Max out here getting people’s hopes up.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

N/A.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Man, talk about a weird weekend. Bellator had the 15-second no-contest and D1 Paul Daley. Invicta had the eye-poke finish, and the UFC had Cain’s awkward 26-second loss. MMA went full MMA, including having Cain blow out his knee.

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

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