Cormier wants Jones to make heavyweight debut vs. Blaydes

There's been talk of Jon Jones facing Stipe Miocic or Francis Ngannou in his heavyweight debut, but former two-division champion Daniel Cormier has a different matchup in mind.

Cormier, who works as a UFC color commentator, said Monday he would like to see the former light heavyweight champ face off with No. 2-ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes.

"Jones needs a heavyweight fight. I say move Blaydes to Jones. ... It makes all the sense in the world," Cormier said during the latest episode of ESPN's "DC & Helwani."

"(If) Jones beats Blaydes, nobody will ever say he doesn't belong at heavyweight. (If) Blaydes beats Jones, now he has beaten the greatest of all time - in people's minds - going up to heavyweight. He'll get his title shot right away."

Blaydes was slated to fight Derrick Lewis in this past weekend's main event, but he tested positive for COVID-19. The bout will reportedly be rescheduled for December or January.

Cormier, who retired from mixed martial arts in August, suggested the UFC instead book Lewis against Jairzinho Rozenstruik because it would likely be more entertaining than Blaydes-Lewis.

Jones vacated the 205-pound belt in August to pursue a move to the heavyweight division. UFC president Dana White has said Jones could meet the winner of a planned title bout between champion Miocic and Ngannou, which is expected to take place in early 2021.