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Daniel Cormier will face Alexander Gustafsson in first UFC title defense

By Mike Dyce

May 23, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Daniel Cormier celebrates after defeating Anthony Johnson (not pictured) in their light heavyweight championship bout during UFC 187 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Cormier won via third round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Daniel Cormier celebrates after defeating Anthony Johnson (not pictured) in their light heavyweight championship bout during UFC 187 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Cormier won via third round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier’s first title defense will be against Alexander Gustafsson.

At UFC 187 Daniel Cormier filled in for Jon Jones to fight Anthony Johnson for the light heavyweight championship. Jones was stripped of the title and removed from the bout following a hit-and-run incident.

Cormier went on to win the belt and is getting ready for his first title defense, which will be against Alexander Gustafsson.

Gustafsson gave Jones a lot of trouble when the two of them fought at UFC 165, but ultimately lost the fight. Johnson defeated Gustafsson with a first-round knockout at a UFC on Fox event in January to earn a title shot and he hasn’t fought since.

The fact that Gustafsson hasn’t gotten a win since that knockout has raised some eyebrows that he earned a title shot. This isn’t the first time it has happened though, 14 other fighters have competed in a championship after a loss, including Cormier who lost to Jon Jones at UFC 183 before getting another shot against Johnson.

The date for the fight hasn’t been set yet, but Cormier said that it won’t be at UFC 191 in early September.

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