Daniel Cormier: I’d sleep “Gustafsson’s cheerleader” Jimi Manuwa

Last weekend, during the UFC’s latest trip to Stockholm, Sweden, British light heavyweight contender Jimi Manuwa was on site to support his training partner Alexander Gustafsson as he battled Glover Teixeira. When Gustafsson won this fight via fifth-round knockout, Manuwa was unsurprisingly supportive.

Manuwa’s post-fight applause of Gustafsson generated a response from UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, who pointed out that, in victory, Gustafsson may have jumped ahead of Manuwa in the race for a title shot. This comment from DC then generated a response from a fan, which in turn started a heated Twitter battle with Manuwa.

@dc_mma @POSTERBOYJM Don’t see what’s wrong in supporting his boy. No different from you with Cain. You wouldn’t dare to stand n bang with Jimi DC…weak ass???

— Nathan Grant (@nathanmgrant) May 28, 2017

I’d sleep jimi! https://t.co/vNI2fzyyTS

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 28, 2017

Only thing double cheeseburger 🍔 is sleeping are the fans @dc_mma concentrate on jones u fat prik. I’ll sleep u on sight

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) May 28, 2017

Bet you won’t. When you see me you’ll be trying to shake hands. U know ur a fan jimi. Shut up. I got a title to defend! https://t.co/btnr2hjc21

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 28, 2017

Cormier is currently expected to defend his light heavyweight crown against former champion Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 214 this July 29. Manuwa, meanwhile, is also expected to compete on the card, where he will serve as an understudy in the event that Cormier or Jones is forced to withdraw.

Cormier was last seen in the cage in April, when he defended his title with a second-round submission of the dangerous Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Manuwa, meanwhile, is riding high on recent hammerings of Ovince St. Preux and Corey Anderson.

Who do you think would win a potential Jimi Manuwa vs. Daniel Cormier fight?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 5/30/2017.