It’s a rare occurrence when high expectations are met, let alone surpassed; yet that is what we expect from the upcoming bout at UFC 182 between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.
On January 3, 2015, the Light Heavyweight title is on the line, in addition to the champion’s growing claim to the pound-for-pound throne.
Even without their mutual rancor, their bout has all the makings of either an epic clash or a sadly conservative collaboration. Sometimes, when the stakes are high and equal to the opposition, the risk doesn’t seem worth the reward.
And make no mistake about it, both men must risk all in order to live up to the enormity of the moment before them.
Expectation is an ideal pointed at both ends. Based on the proof evident in history, it demands further proof of the same in the future. That is why both Jones and Cormier have so much to risk; because proof of their past greatness has advanced expectations to a level that cannot be met by anything less.
While we wait and hope that both men will fight with a passion due to the moment, we also ponder how these men will reckon with each other.
How will the winner claim victory?
Obviously, there are countless possibilities, but after we weed out the unlikely, we are left with the probable.
Here are the three main ways this fight might end.