UFC 182 offers plenty of excellent MMA action, but the big attraction on the main fight card will be the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship showdown between Jon “Bones” Jones and challenger Daniel Cormier.
Thursday was media day, and Jones and Cormier had the chance to face each other in front of the cameras before they enter the Octagon. UFC President Dana White had to intervene to make sure the fighting was confined to the designated time and date:
Heated pre-fight commotion has been stirring between Jones and Cormier for some time now, which will only add to the excitement of Saturday’s event at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Below is a look at the complete main card and predictions for every bout, along with a more detailed breakdown of the Jones vs. Cormier title fight.
Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier Preview
As can be ascertained from a gander at this card, the lineup is loaded, but the impassioned battle to cap it all off between Jones and Cormier has the makings of an instant classic.
Bleacher Report MMA highlights just how prolific both UFC stars have been leading up to their date on Saturday:
Jeremy Botter of Bleacher Report and the Houston Chronicle weighed in on the championship clash:
Cormier is a rare threat for Jones to deal with on the ground. Both are phenomenal in takedown defense, though, with Jones at 96 percent and Cormier at 100, per FightMetric.com. Thus, it remains to be seen just how much wrestling both will do, despite how effective they are at that facet of fighting.
Even if Jones can take Cormier to the canvas, he may not want to dive down after him, because his true advantage lies in his lethal punching combinations.
It’s evident that Jones isn’t worried about being thrown to the ground; he’s seemingly intent to remain in attack mode against his underdog adversary, via the UFC’s official Twitter account:
Supreme confidence, stamina, superior reach and unique striking angles all give Jones leverage. His spinning elbows, 84″ reach and amazing awareness limit Cormier and the damage his 72″ reach will be able to inflict.
However, Cormier is a perfect 15-0 in MMA, is coming off an impressive victory over Dan Henderson and can harness his Olympic wrestling skills to make this a compelling bout.
That task of pulling Jones down and keeping him there will be tricky. It’s a tough test for Cormier against a more agile foe in Jones, whose powerful, punishing blows ought to prove too much for his wrestle-dependent counterpart to handle.
No one can discount Cormier‘s competitive fire, athleticism, wrestling expertise and track record of UFC success. That will carry him the full distance in Saturday’s fight, but Jones’ diverse arsenal will help him to a clear-cut triumph to retain his title and improve to 21-1.
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