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UFC 187: Keys to Victory for Johnson, Cormier, Weidman and Belfort

UFC 187 will feature four of the most dominant fighters in the world today. Anthony Johnson, Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort will be featured in the main and co-main event, respectively. Johnson and Cormier will do battle to lay claim to the vacant light heavyweight title, while the long-awaited matchup between Weidman and Belfort serves as an explosive and unpredictable middleweight championship bout.

Anthony Johnson vs. Daniel Cormier

Despite the way in which the light heavyweight championship came about (the stripping of Jon Jones’ title after being involved in a hit-and-run incident), many believe the new main event will live up to expectations. In fact, Johnson believes Cormier presents a greater challenge than the former 205-pound champion in Jones.

Per Mike Bohn and John Morgan of MMAjunkie, Johnson stated:

I really mean (this is a tougher fight). This is DC’s second chance. When people get second chances, they tend to go a little bit harder. He’s going to come at me like a bulldog and I expect that. The fact that I expect it means it won’t surprise me with anything he brings. I know what I’m getting myself into and so does he.

UFC 187 will mark Cormier‘s second chance at the light heavyweight title, leaving no doubt that he will be “hungry” in his sophomore attempt to secure gold.

Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort

The Weidman-Belfort matchup is highly anticipated among the world of mixed martial arts. The middleweight champion stands without a loss and defeated one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time in Anderson Silva (twice) in the process. Weidman is motivated to remain undefeated, and according to MMA Weekly, he has expressed interest in setting himself apart from the rest of the division.

My goal every time is to separate myself in the division and make a statement for the world, prove to myself where I think my abilities are, prove to my coaches what they think. So, I’m coming to this fight to make a statement. I’m doing this fight to look for a finish.

However, Belfort, with over 19 years of MMA experience, brings a wealth of knowledge to the Octagon and is 10-2 in his last 12 matchups (only having lost to then-champions Silva and Jones). He is a formidable opponent, and at 38 years old, the Brazilian fighter may be looking at his final championship title opportunity at UFC 187.

The following highlights each fighter’s keys to victory in their attempt to secure or maintain championship gold this Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

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UFC 187: Still an Elite Pay-Per-View Without Jon Jones

When former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was involved in a hit-and-run accident last month, the UFC stripped him of the light heavyweight title and suspended the New York native indefinitely. The incident came as a great blow to the UFC, as Jones was slated to face the division’s No. 1 contender in Anthony Johnson at UFC 187. However, even in the absence of Jones, UFC 187 has the potential to become one of the highest-grossing pay-per-views of 2015.

Anthony Johnson vs. Daniel Cormier

A great amount of anticipation surrounded the Jones/Johnson match-up, as the challenger set out and destroyed every one of his foes since entering the light heavyweight ranks for the first time in his UFC career at UFC 172. Johnson even dismantled Jones’ greatest test to date in Alexander Gustafsson at UFC on Fox 14 in just two minutes, 15 seconds of the first round. Therefore, their matchup at UFC 187 was expected to be one of epic proportions. However, with the outing of Jones, entered the man whom the former champion defeated in his last bout, Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on an episode of MMA Hour, Johnson commented on his upcoming fight and gave light to his feeling toward Jones and Cormier:

Yeah, I will feel I’m the champion if (Cormier) I beat him. I worked my ass off to get where I am. It’s not my fault, not anybody’s fault with what happened with Jon (Jones). Jon (Jones) did that to himself, everybody knows that. But, life goes on and you got to keep it moving, But when he comes back, if I still have the title and it’s time to fight him, I’ll fight him. One day we will fight.

Despite his lone loss to Jones, Cormier has been known to utilize his wrestling to literally manhandle and throw around his opponents. He sports significant wins over MMA legends in Soa Palelei, Jeff Monson, Antonio Silva, Roy Nelson, and former world champions in Josh Barnett, Frank Mir and Dan Henderson. Cormier is a formidable opponent, and his bout against Johnson at UFC 187 represents nothing less than elite.

Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort

Chris Weidman is the only man to twice defeat who many consider to be the greatest of all time in Anderson Silva. Both bouts ended in dramatic fashion—one in Silva’s knockout and the last with the breaking of his leg due to a blocked kick.

The two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler is the only undefeated male champion in the UFC and boasts wins over longtime veterans in Demian Maia, Mark Munoz, and former world champions Silva and Lyoto Machida. At UFC 187, he will take on the No. 3 contender, Vitor Belfort.

In preparation for his fight with Belfort, Weidman uploaded the following picture of his foe on Instagram with a message of inspiration written on it:

I, Chris Weidman, will defeat Vitor Belfort on May 23rd, 2015, and still be the UFC champ!

#Work hard every day

#No excuses

#Refuse to lose

#Physical, mental and SPIRITUAL.

Belfort, on the other hand, is 10-2 in his last 12 bouts and has lost only to two of the most gifted athletes of all time since 2007, Jones and Silva. He is explosive and sports heavy hands, knocking out the likes of MMA greats in Henderson, Luke Rockhold, Michael Bisping, Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva.

Given their inclination to end fights, a matchup between Weidman and Belfort most likely will not be decided by the judges. This bout is highly anticipated and represents yet another high-octane bout that is sure to deliver.

Follow this featured contributor @clintonbullock

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The 3 Best Ambassadors for the UFC Right Now

Despite the shroud that currently envelops the UFC, one created by the recent barrage of failed drug tests by high-profile athletes, there are those who rise above and excel in all aspects of the fight game.
From becoming champion to assisting in mains…

From becoming champion to assisting in mainstreaming the UFC to heavily advocating for a clean sport and serving as a role model for the younger generation, Ronda Rousey, Anthony Pettis and Georges St-Pierre represent phenomenal examples of those superstars who are game-changers and ideal ambassadors for mixed martial arts and the UFC.

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Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz: Keys to Victory for Both Fighters

At UFC 183, Anderson Silva will make his long-awaited comeback to the Octagon against the brash and always controversial Nick Diaz. Longtime former middleweight champion Silva suffered a catastrophic injury at UFC 168, when he broke his leg during an e…

Since his 14-month layoff, the Brazilian has recuperated and is prepared to entertain the masses this Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

However, his opponent at UFC 183 is of similar size and stature and enjoys the stand-up game just as much as Silva. Both of the combatants’ strengths lie within their striking. Nevertheless, Diaz may wish to become more versatile in his overall skill set if he hopes to topple the man whom many consider to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.

Anderson Silva

To be successful in his 2015 debut, Silva will more than likely participate in the flashy, unorthodox and unpredictable style of fighting that allowed him to reign atop the middleweight division for nearly seven years.

The 39-year-old has spent the last 18 years keeping other fighters off balance with his unconventional fight style. He is tall, and his length has allowed him to dominate his opponents without being hit in return. Silva’s speed has also played a major factor in his victories, which has afforded him 33 wins, 26 by finish.

Diaz enjoys a stand-up war, which plays to Silva’s advantage. The Brazilian is more seasoned, his striking is more accurate, and he possesses the ability to end a fight in an instant (a la Forrest Griffin, Vitor Belfort and Stephan Bonnar). Silva will welcome a stand-up matchup and most likely reign victorious if the main event remains on its feet. Given that, Silva’s camp recently told Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting they have no doubt Silva will put on an “amazing performance” at UFC 183.

Nick Diaz

Diaz relishes the stand-up game. However, in this matchup, he may wish to engage in a dirty boxing and grappling war. Silva has traditionally had difficulty with wrestlers or other grapplers of the like. His bouts against Weidman, Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen proved to be challenging, as the grappling aspect presented a significant issue.

The Brazilian, however, went on to defeat two of those opponents, but the blueprint to control his unpredictable strikes had been created. Closing the distance and latching on to Silva while wearing him down from strikes within the clinch may prove effective and ruin Silva’s run for the title.

Nevertheless, it appears that Diaz will choose to stand and trade with his Brazilian counterpart. The “Stockton Bad Boy” has employed the services of Glory champion Artem Levin to heavily assist him in his stand-up game. With a kickboxing and muay thai record of 50-4-1, Levin has the tools to improve Diaz’s overall striking skill set.

During an appearance on Inside MMA, Diaz commented on Levin’s contributions to his UFC 183 preparation, saying, “He is here for a couple of days. We had some workouts. And I like to work with different kickboxers and a lot of professional strikers.”

If Diaz is able to dispatch the MMA legend in dramatic fashion, it may spell the end to Silva’s career and grant Diaz a shot at the middleweight title.

Follow this featured columnist on Twitter @clintonbullock

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Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Johnson: Keys to Victory for Both Fighters

At UFC on Fox 14, Alexander Gustafsson will face Anthony Johnson for the opportunity to do battle against the light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones. The epic matchup will take place in Gustafsson’s home country of Sweden this Saturday night, and …

Per the UFC, he stated:

This is going to be an epic event. I want more than 30,000 fans to come and witness me win on January 24. Then I’m going to go and get the title! My journey back to the top starts now.

However, since his light heavyweight debut, Johnson has been on a tear, destroying everyone in his path. He boasts heavy hands, and is more than capable of downing any opponent he faces.

Both fighters’ keys to victory are found in the maximization of their strengths (Gustafsson’s range/versatility vs. Johnson’s power), and at UFC on Fox 14, they will attempt to win in dramatic fashion for a chance to attain UFC gold.

Alexander Gustafsson

Gustafsson is the taller opponent (6’5”) and possesses the range to make this a difficult matchup for his foe. Given his opponent’s punching power, it is essential that the Swede “stick and move.” The utilization of his jab and ability to remain on the outside may keep Johnson at bay.

In that, Gustafsson may ultimately be able to outpoint his opponent on his way to a decision victory in the end. Regarding his ability to remain elusive, according to Dave Doyle of Yahoo! Sports, the Swede stated:

I’m a better fighter than [Johnson], I’ve got too many tools for him. He’s a hell of a force, but he’s one-dimensional. Doesn’t move a lot. Comes in hard, throws the left kick, left hook, straight right … not afraid of his wrestling at all. I’ll cover my face up, not going to let him hit me. I need to bring my A-game and I will.

If Gustafsson is able to effectively employ his reach and confuse Johnson, a win over his “one-dimensional” opponent may be within reach.

Anthony Johnson

Johnson is currently enjoying an eight-fight win streak and has revitalized his career by moving to light heavyweight where he remains undefeated. He is an extremely heavy-handed fighter who boasts 18 victories, 12 of which have come by knockout. He has beaten MMA veterans in Phil Davis, former champion Andrei Arlovski, and at UFC on Fox 12, Johnson thoroughly knocked out the formidable Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

The utilization of his power may overwhelm Gustafsson and lead Johnson to an early victory. The 30-year-old has never been knocked out, and he claims to be unaffected by fighting on his opponent’s home turf. According to Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting, Johnson stated:

This fight might be on his home turf, but I’m ready to go over to Sweden and prove that I’m the next in the line for the UFC light heavyweight title. I’m not intimidated by fighting in front of Alex’s hometown fans. I’m going to go in there and look for the knockout like I do in all of my fights. I can’t wait for this!

Given the tremendous power in his hands, Johnson has the opportunity to end this matchup quickly and stake his claim as the light heavyweight division’s No. 1 contender.

Follow this Featured Contributor on Twitter: @clintonbullock

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MMA in 2014: Fighters Who Made the Most Noise

For many fighters, 2014 served as their platform for success. Those who achieved greatness during the year did so by becoming UFC champions, positioning themselves as title contenders or remaining undefeated while filming a couple of major motion pictu…

For others, 2014 gave way to their downfall and signified their demise. Some were trashed in the media by UFC President Dana White, and others were felled by performance enhancers and random drug tests.

All in all, sensational headlines were driven by fighters who made the most noise and became some of the most talked-about personalities in the world of mixed martial arts and beyond.

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