Cormier: I wasn’t exactly happy about fighting Hendo

Three months ago, UFC president Dana White told heavyweight Daniel Cormier, 35, that a title shot was his. However, first current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones had to fight Glover Teixeira, which took place at UFC 172 last month, and then the winner, which ended up being Jones, had a rematch with Alexander Gustafsson.

So Cormier had a title shot, but it probably wouldn’t happen until 2015. The lure of a guaranteed title shot is huge.

“I didn’t win the Olympics. I didn’t win the world championships. I didn’t win the NCAA tournament. I always have been one of the best guys, but I have never been the best guy,” said Cormier recently.

“It will be great to be 35, 36 years old and to finally achieve what I strived so many times in my life to be: The absolute best at whatever it is I’m doing. I’ve always been close, but I’ve never been the best, and winning the UFC championship would be the completion of an athletic dream that started when I was fricking 8-9 years old.”

However, Cormier is risking his position Saturday night live on PPV vs. Dan Henderson at UFC 173.

Further complicating the decision, Cormier did not want to fight Hendo. Cormier was a member of the 2004 and 2008 US Olympic wrestling teams. Hendo competed for the US in 1992 and 1996.

I wasn’t exactly happy about it, said Cormier to MMAJunkie‘s Steven Marrocco. I would much rather not fight Dan Henderson. He’s a guy that I’ve looked up to for a long time.

Dan is the first guy I can go into the cage with and say this guy’s done everything that I’ve done, and he’s actually done things at a much higher level than I have.

I wrestle and I compete to win, and that’s what I plan on doing against Dan.”

I have a mad amount of respect for him, and I believe he’s going to push me and make me fight harder than most opponents have ever made me fight.”