More bad news could be up ahead for Ryan Bader as far as his possible title shot for Daniel Cormier’s UFC light heavyweight title is concerned.
After making it known that he should be the next one to face DC and not Jon Jones, this bit could put a damper on his UFC title aspirations.
Jones is currently doing community service work and the latest report from TMZ is that Jones could be seeing his plea deal cut with the positive progress on the conditions set forth in the agreement. Jones managed to escape jail time after a plea bargain which included 72 appearances with kids groups to help educate them about making good decisions in their lives. This was the recourse handed to the former UFC champion after being involved in a hit-and-run ordeal back in April.
Morever, Jones has visited several already and the feedbacks are positive. At the rate he is going, the conditions set forth could inevitably be settled sooner than expected.
If this is the case, this could be good news for UFC fans who have been long waiting on a rematch between Cormier and Jones.
On his part, Cormier wants an immediate rematch against Jones to settle an old score. Cormier lost to Jones back in January, the first of his career which could have gone either way.
Bader on the other hand believes that he should take first crack at Cormier’s title with Jones next. Bader made headlines when he hacked out a unanimous decision win over a returning Rashad Evans in UFC 192.
Ironically, this was the same night where Cormier escaped with a split decision win over Alexander Gustaffson.
Before word of Jones progress in his community service activities, Cormier had hinted about possibly taking a break. He points out that he has fought seven times in two years and feels that it is time for him to take some time off and be with his family.
While the plan of Cormier seems valid, many see it as a way to avoid Bader and buy Jones some time until Bones is reinstated.
Jones is currently on indefinite suspension following the April incident though the UFC is reportedly keeping tabs with the details of his plea agreement.
Right now, the UFC seems to be more inclined for a Cormier vs. Jones match rather than a Cormier vs. Bader fight, revenue and crowd-draw of which are seen as the obvious reasons.