FOX wants to keep Daniel Cormier on their network.
On Oct. 19, Cormier revealed that he'll be going to Orlando to audition for a WWE commentary position following his UFC 230 fight on Nov. 3. Cormier is a long-time wrestling fan who has experience as a commentator and analyst for the UFC.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reports that it is FOX who wants Cormier in WWE.
"The Cormier thing is...FOX wants Cormier. That's the deal," said Meltzer on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. "They want him for SmackDown. Number one, they want more of a sports presentation. Number two, they love Cormier from UFC and they don't want to lose him."
As previously reported, FOX wants SmackDown Live to be more "sports focused" when the show moves to the network in October 2019. FOX is hoping to build their weekend lineup around the NFL, NCAA football and WWE when SmackDown comes to Friday nights on Oct. 4, 2019.
Cormier is currently scheduled to defend his UFC Heavyweight Title against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 in New York.