Jimi Manuwa has most definitely found his voice.
Typically stoic and more prone to doing his talking inside the Octagon, London’s Manuwa has been markedly more vocal since knocking out Corey Anderson in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 108 last month.
But ever since Anderson’s head bounced off the mat on March 18, the man who delivered the fight-ending left hook has been calling for a title shot… a lot.
Manuwa wants the chance to meet Daniel Cormier for light heavyweight gold this year and, having travelled to New York to be present for the most recent title defence of ‘DC’, it seems like the Brit’s wish has been granted.
Prior to jetting off for Buffalo, ‘The Poster Boy’ confirmed to JOE that he was only interested in the winner of Cormier vs. ‘Rumble’, Jon Jones or a boxing match with David Haye.
But, after speaking with UFC president Dana White, it would appear that a shot at the gold is next in line for Manuwa.
Dana knows….. @dc_mma @mrdavidhaye I'm coming!! pic.twitter.com/nlbFtOWt4Y
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 14, 2017
@dc_mma take the fight Daniel.
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 17, 2017
I did. I'll smash u any day bum! U will get embarrassed. U and I both know it. Now u get what u asked for. U won't last a round. https://t.co/0YqPfOvhtj
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 17, 2017
After all that barking @dc_mma trying to duck the fight?
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 17, 2017
Have u lost ur mind. I was working last weekend. But immediately said yes jimi can get it. Ur a bum! U won't see the 2nd round https://t.co/dOXjPuyNn5
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 17, 2017
He has to think twice!!
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 17, 2017
Wow I get on here and ur yapping ur mouth this morning. Let's make a deal. No wrestling , no kicking. I'll beat u str8 boxing chump! https://t.co/UtMbfEwJc2
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 17, 2017
Maybe I'll do this to you jimi. Good morning haha pic.twitter.com/KKt3anRHIz
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 17, 2017
@POSTERBOYJM likes to take naps in the octagon lol pic.twitter.com/ciWNEEOhqv
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 17, 2017
Sign the deal CHAMP !!!! stop all your commentator WWE shit. U trying to catch jones rusty. I give u 2 rounds with that big head.
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 17, 2017
I'm not trying to catch anything. Let's go! I wanna fight you! Jones needs to get his sea legs back. Where's the contract. This light work https://t.co/GIiBKUTCmN
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 17, 2017
U will never box with me Daniel. U got 1 way u think u will beat me. I will ko u Daniel.
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) April 17, 2017
Actually there are many ways to beat you. I can do it however I want. U know that. I'll fight you. I'll give u ur moment in the sun. https://t.co/uxNU74IsiA
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 17, 2017
From where we’re sitting, that looks like a verbal agreement to fight.
The only thing that would stand in Manuwa’s way of the next title shot is a little obstacle by the name of Jon Jones, the former 205lbs kingpin who never lost his belt in the Octagon.
Come July, Jones will have served his year suspension for a failed drug’s test and, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, ‘Bones’ will get first dibs on the next title shot this summer.
As I mentioned on @SportsCenter, per Dana White, UFC ready to grant Jon Jones title shot July 29. If Jones wants tuneup, it's DC vs. Manuwa.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 18, 2017
If Jones decides to take a tune-up fight, however, which is very likely, then the opportunity will be afforded to Manuwa to become only the second fighter from the United Kingdom to claim UFC gold.
