The UFC opens up 2015 with fireworks as Daniel Cormier faces off against Jon Jones at UFC 182 on Saturday. Despite his Olympic background and an impressive 15-0 MMA record, a Cormier victory over Jones would be the highlight of his career. However, on the grand scheme of things, that victory could bring shock waves felt across the light heavyweight division.
Because of his storied career as an Olympian and Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion, it is easy to be a fan of Cormier. But at the age of 35, he is feeling the clock tick toward the end of his career.
“The pressure is on me because I know that this is my last chance to do something really special in regard to my athletic career,” he told Justin Klugh of Philly.com. Cormier has fallen short several times in his career—from placing out of the medal picture in the 2004 Olympics to failing to compete in the 2008 Olympics due to kidney failure from intense weight cutting.
With his future up in the air due to his age, it is understandable why he decided to swing for the fences by going for Jones’ title at this moment.
Jones isn’t just a titleholder. He is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Therefore, a Cormier victory would open the floodgates to the division. His triumph would show that Jones is really just a man and not a machine who can’t be stopped in the light heavyweight division.
Could a Cormier victory happen? Bleacher Report’s Levi Nile predicts that Cormier will win by unanimous decision by being the aggressor and negating Jones’ long reach. Cormier understands that this may be the last stand in his career and may actually go into the fight like he has nothing to lose. This intangible may bring Nile’s prediction to fruition.
However, a Cormier victory would also reduce the magnetism in marquee fights in the light heavyweight division.
Someone who would be inadvertently affected is Alexander Gustafsson. He has been craving a rematch against Jones since his defeat at UFC 165. But due to injury and an intense marketing buildup from Cormier, Gustafsson has to sit on the sidelines this go-around.
There is no doubt that a Jones vs. Gustafsson rematch would draw a ton of interest, and Gustafsson makes it no secret he prefers to fight Jones. “If I want to take the belt from anyone, it would be Jones. Not DC,” he told Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour.
Then again, he has no problem if Cormier were to win.
“Well, I think ‘DC’ is a great athlete and a great person, so, like I said, it would be great to see him win because it would mix things up,” Gustafsson told Helwani.
While a Cormier vs. Gustafsson matchup wouldn’t be a bad draw for UFC fans, Jones vs. Gustafsson would attract more eyeballs. Both Jones and Gustafsson have already established a history, and there would be a lot of anticipation for a rematch.
A Jones loss wouldn’t do anything to hamper his reputation. He still is a polarizing figure and will continue to be a draw for the UFC. Kyle Symes wrote on CombatPress.com that Jones has “more to offer the UFC in terms of economic impact.” A loss on Saturday would reduce the magnetism of a Jones fight in the short term, but his stardom will continue to rise.
On the other hand, a win by Cormier would be more than just a victory that keeps him relevant until his next fight. Defeating the top pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC would earn him the recognition he deserves in this sport. It may not be an Olympic gold medal, but wearing UFC gold would bring redemption to Cormier’s decorated career.
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