Daniel Cormier Names Logical Next Opponent For Arman Tsarukyan After Quick KO Win Over Beneil Dariush

During a recent episode of ESPN MMA's DC & RC show, ex-light heavyweight and heavyweight UFC champion Daniel Cormier assessed the landscape at lightweight following Tsarukyan's triumph in the "Lone Star State."

With Oliveira widely believed to be next in line for a collision with Islam Makhachev and Gaethje seemingly waiting in the wings to face the winner, "DC" wants to see a title eliminator between Tsarukyan and Dustin Poirier at the historic UFC 300 event.

"With Tsarukyan, it makes you question (the original plans). I don't believe, though, that he's gonna jump those guys," Cormier said. "So, what I think should happen... I believe that if Islam fights sometime in the first quarter of the year, you put Tsarukyan on UFC 300 against Dustin Poirier.

"Dustin said he wants to fight at that point. You know that UFC 300 is somewhere around April. You put him on UFC 300 and then maybe he comes back at the end of the year for that third fight that Makhachev said he wants," Cormier continued. "Now, you've got a guy that beat one of the biggest names if he can get past Poirier. If he doesn't, Dustin Poirier has now laid claim to the title shot after Gaethje. So, it really does bring some stability to this weight class."

Poirier was last in action at UFC 291 this past July, where he was stopped by "The Highlight" in their 'BMF' title fight. He's since frequently expressed interest in returning at UFC 300, which is expected to take place next April.

Although Tsarukyan spent a long time calling for an opportunity against top five contenders like Poirier, he recently dismissed "The Diamond" as a logical next opponent. 

Despite sitting one place below him on the ladder, the Armenian doesn't think a fight against his fellow American Top Team-trained lightweight makes sense given that the Louisianan is coming off a loss.