Daniel Cormier will get another title shot just five months after his last. A thank you note to Jon Jones should be in the mail.
On Saturday, Cormier headlines UFC 187 opposite No. 1-ranked Anthony Johnson for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title. And this time, you can expect Cormier to wear gold at the end of the night.
Why will this contest be different?
When Johnson said the matchup with Cormier would be more difficult than Jones, I agreed.
Styles make fights, and Cormier‘s style is a terrible matchup for what Johnson brings to the cage. Johnson has massive power and excellent athleticism, but Cormier‘s grinding style should be able to nullify him in the early rounds.
At heavyweight, Cormier was dealing with bigger men and heavier punchers. Johnson won’t surprise Cormier with anything in the cage. Cormier has outclassed most with his wrestling with the lone exception of Jones. Johnson does not pose the same issues that Jones did in the cage.
There is little concern that Johnson will be able to stop a Cormier takedown.
Johnson is a threat to knock out anyone. The issue with this matchup is that Cormier has splendid defensive boxing and a good chin. Johnson will have a hard time locating the chin of Cormier for another impressive KO. Is it possible? Absolutely. But Cormier will not give him the space.
Cormier is aggressive. Johnson needs space to throw big power shots, and Cormier will close the distance quickly. Even if he fails to take Johnson down, Cormier will put his back against the fence and grind out the early rounds. Johnson’s history of fading as the fight wears on will pop back up as he struggles with Cormier‘s clinch game.
Cardio will play an important factor.
Once tired, Johnson is toast. Cormier will be able to finish a sluggish Johnson in the later rounds.
UFC 187 is the perfect title matchup to make Cormier look like the elite fighter he is. On a basic level, this matchup reminds me a lot of Randy Couture vs. Vitor Belfort—the dynamic striker who is more athletic against the grinding wrestler who will outwork most everyone. Johnson has the proverbial “puncher’s chance,” but that is all.
The key to this fight is the first round. If Cormier puts Johnson on his back, either against the fence or on the canvas, Johnson will struggle the rest of the way.
Cormier struggled with Jones’ physical stature, but Johnson cannot replicate that. This matchup plays out perfectly for the Oklahoma State Sooner.
Things will be different for Cormier. He’s not fighting the king of the division.
UFC 187 is the time for Cormier to claim gold. It is a preferable stylistic matchup against a man who has a history of fading. The highlight reel takedowns that Cormier has had in his MMA career are likely to continue against “Rumble.” Eventually, the pressure will wilt Johnson.
In Jones’ absence, Cormier is the best this division has to offer. That will be evident Saturday evening.
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