White envisions Big Country at 205
Dana White has never been shy about his feelings regarding Roy Nelson, but no matter what he says, he knows the former Ultimate Fighter winner is a serious threat and might have an even brighter future if he dropped to light heavyweight.
A lot of the talk heading into UFC 166 next weekend is about the co-main event and how former Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix winner Daniel Cormier is making the move down to 205 pounds after his fight against Roy Nelson.
Cormier has stated on several occasions that he's gradually dropping the pounds to get down to light heavyweight and win, lose or draw against Nelson, he's making the move to the lower division.
Nelson's plan to get ready for a slimmer, faster Cormier included some weight shedding of his own, and when he appears at UFC 166 next weekend, "Big Country" will be a little trimmer himself.
Judging at least by the picture that appeared from a recent interview, Nelson is looking leaner than any of his previous fights in the UFC, and if he would consider a move down to 205 pounds, UFC president Dana White believes he could be a force to be reckoned with.
"This is what I've been talking to this guy about forever," White told FOX Sports on Monday. "Could you imagine Roy Nelson at 205? I mean who knows, maybe it hurts him and he loses some of that punching power, but I doubt it. If Roy Nelson with that massive gut is as talented as he is, what would he be like without it?"
Nelson hasn't indicated that a move to 205 pounds is actually going to happen no matter the results in the fight with Cormier, but there appears to be at least some interest in the shift in weight classes.
Over the years, Nelson has flirted with the idea of cutting weight down to 205 pounds, and even teased a Facebook contest a couple of years ago with the end goal being a drop in weight, although it was never completed.
With all of the interest surrounding Cormier's move to light heavyweight, Nelson could steal his thunder and end up in a prime position in the 205-pound rankings if he can win at UFC 166 and then make the move down in weight.
Nelson has been targeting a title shot since the first day he stepped inside the UFC Octagon, but maybe his chance at the gold will actually come at 205 pounds when it's all said and done.
