With Daniel Cormier moving up to heavyweight for his superfight with Stipe Miocic before his retirement, it left room for Luke Rockhold to make his move. Before his loss to Yoel Romero, he opened up about how he’s getting older and weight cuts are getting harder. He decided going up to light heavyweight was ‘imminent’. However, two-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson warns Rockhold that he may want to re-think his division and offered a stern warning to the former middleweight champ.

“Luke Rockhold, your teammate is holding my division hostage and you think there are only easy fights at light heavyweight? If you think [Yoel] Romero hits hard, then wait till you come to the big boys. I want Daniel Cormier, and knocking you out will keep me warm in the meantime. Beware of coming up in weight because I will be standing at the front door waiting.”— Alexander Gustafsson via his official Instagram.

Wow. When Luke Rockhold announced his decision, our heads were swimming at the possible light heavyweight match-ups and then Alexander Gustafsson just comes right out and challenges him. If Rockhold is serious about the move even after his loss to Yoel Romero, he’ll have a fight with the number one contender ready to go. You can’t beat a shot like that.

As for Gustafsson, Daniel Cormier had said he’d come back for a rematch with him even after his fight with Stipe Miocic before he steps away from the sport by March 2019. That’s the fight he wants, but seemed more than willing to pass the time by with a huge fight against Luke Rockhold. How about we just throw this on the UFC 226 card? It will add higher stakes to both Rockhold and teammate Cormier’s fight that night on July 7th.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/13/2018.