UFC contender Jimi Manuwa awaiting Jon Jones v Daniel Cormier winner
“We’re ready for anyone – I could fight Cormier, Jones or Volkan Oezdemir now,” says UFC 214’s Jimi Manuwa
Tuesday 25 July 2017 21:10, UK
Jon ‘Bones’ Jones has scarcely found struggles in his record-setting UFC career but, as he nears his return, his most dangerous opponent yet might be hiding in the shadows.
London's Jimi Manuwa will not be contesting the light-heavyweight title at UFC 214 but there is nobody with a keener eye on Jones' rematch against Daniel Cormier, which has the belt on the line. Manuwa fights on the undercard but, knowing Jones' volatility, is ready to substitute himself into the spotlight if chaos strikes.
"It's always a possibility. We're ready for anyone - I could fight Cormier, Jones or Volkan Oezdemir now," Manuwa exclusively told Sky Sports. "It's just another body."
It is, as he says, a possibility. Manuwa is scheduled to face Oezdemir, a relative newbie at the highest level, but his presence is an insurance policy to save a main event that has routinely been struck by disaster. Jones-Cormier has been scheduled five times now, yet they have fought just once.
Jones won their grudge match but last summer, at UFC 200, was withdrawn from rematching Cormier at three days' notice due to a potential doping violation. Two previously scheduled fights were ruined by injuries, so Manuwa is on standby should Jones and Cormier somehow miss each other again.
"I train with the best in the world," Manuwa said. "We've got such a variety of talent in my gym - Ilir Latifi replicates Cormier because he's a great wrestler, Alexander Gustafsson replicates Jones because he's tall and long. We're ready for these guys."
Manuwa, likely to fight the winner, will spend the build-up in Jones and Cormier's shadow and isn't hoping to make new friends. "No, not really," he said, "because it's got the potential to go off so I'm not looking forward to that.
"I won't put up with any talk from Cormier, who likes to run his mouth, so I'm not looking for it. I want to focus on my opponent, and I don't want to be sidetracked by anything from Cormier. I had a backstage tiff with him after his last fight in Buffalo, and it almost went off because he tried to run his mouth."
I don't want to be side-tracked by anything from Cormier. I had a backstage tiff with him after his last fight in Buffalo, and it almost went off because he tried to run his mouth.
Manuwa's rise, including back-to-back knockout wins, has come during Jones' absence yet the seeds have already been sewn on a potential future meeting.
"Of course, I'd love to fight him," Manuwa told Sky Sports earlier this year. "He's the greatest fighter of all time. Why not? I think I could knock him out. Jones has never fought a knockout specialist. I'd like to see how he puts up with getting hit on the chin."
Manuwa should get his chance to become Britain's second UFC champion if Jones emerges unscathed from his rematch with Cormier, who he handily beat in their first fight. But the elephant in the room is Oezdemir, Manuwa's upcoming opponent, who could throw a spanner in the works.
"I tend to keep an eye on my division," Manuwa continued. "Oezdemir won his last fight in 28 seconds and looks like a threat, so it will be a shoot-out because he'll want to stand up with me. But he'll shoot for a takedown when he feels my power, and if he doesn't, that will be his demise.
"I've claimed myself as one of the best guys in the division because I've put in the world. I wasn't even in the top 10 when I lost twice to the No 1 contenders. But I climbed back by fighting the toughest guys. I know it's my time now."
