Like a desert mirage, these big-time UFC pay-per-views have a way of looking different from up close.
Take UFC 187 for example. We once thought Jon Jones would be there, defending his light heavyweight championship for the ninth time. For a while, we e…
Like a desert mirage, these big-time UFC pay-per-views have a way of looking different from up close.
Take UFC 187 for example. We once thought Jon Jones would be there, defending his light heavyweight championship for the ninth time. For a while, we even thought Khabib Nurmagomedov was coming to Las Vegas to claim the No. 1 contender spot at lightweight.
When the event actually happens on Saturday, however, the landscape will be much different.
Jones is suspended indefinitely, having been ordered to get his life together after he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident in New Mexico. Nurmagomedov is injured again.
Instead, we’re getting Daniel Cormier and John Makdessi, respectively, and what once looked like a potentially historic card now merely looks really good. But really good is still really good, right?
As always, bold predictions are required. Here, MMA lead writers Chad Dundas (that’s me) and Jonathan Snowden take their best shots at predicting the unpredictable.
Let’s jump into the MMA time machine and travel back three short years to 2012. UFC 142 was set to occur in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Anthony Johnson was set to move up to the middleweight division and face off with Vitor Belfort. What occurred wou…
Let’s jump into the MMA time machine and travel back three short years to 2012. UFC 142 was set to occur in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Anthony Johnson was set to move up to the middleweight division and face off with Vitor Belfort. What occurred would forever change Johnson’s career track, but the end result may be completely different than expected.
With a victory at UFC 187 Saturday, Johnson may complete one of the best career turnarounds to date.
There are fighters who have a hard time making weight. Then there was Johnson and his continued struggles. After repeated struggles to make welterweight, Johnson was to move up to middleweight. He stepped on the scale the day before UFC 142 at 197 pounds—11 pounds over the limit. Needless to say, the leaders of the organization were not happy.
“This is not the first time this has happened with Johnson. He moved up to 185 pounds so this wouldn’t happen to him at 170 pounds, and here we are in the same position again,” UFC President Dana White is quoted by Michael David Smith of MMA Fighting. “[Belfort] came in like a professional on weight, and Anthony Johnson comes in as a total unprofessional, way overweight.”
Johnson’s punishment would be very swift. Not only would he be finished by Belfort in the first round, he would lose his job before the weekend was over. John Morgan of MMA Junkie covered the story.
“This is his third time,” White said. “Three strikes and you’re gone.”
Most individuals who receive their walking papers from the UFC struggle to find their way back to the Octagon. Usually they jump on a card as a last-minute replacement, which isn’t the best situation. Johnson was forced to return to smaller promotions. In doing so, he made the best of that opportunity.
Johnson would win six straight fights in less than two years outside of the UFC. Those wins would put him in position to be welcomed back as a Zuffa employee, which is exactly what would happen in 2014.
The run wouldn’t stop there, as he would win three more fights to push his streak to nine victories in three years. The most important of which would come with his first-round smashing of Alexander Gustafsson in front of the Swede’s home crowd. With that victory he would officially find himself the No. 1 contender within the UFC’s official rankings.
Quite the career turnaround.
If Johnson can claim the light heavyweight crown at UFC 187, this will be one of the best MMA comebacks of all time. Johnson will stand as an example to his peers, especially those who are working so hard to cut weight down to the lowest point possible. He’s done his best work since shedding those drastic measures and fighting in weight classes more comfortable to his frame.
“If anybody brings up 186 pounds to me, I look at them cross-eyed,” Johnson said in a piece by Brett Okamoto of ESPN. “Honestly, I start feeling sick when I get to 204 pounds. My body won’t allow it. It’s most likely a mental thing but I don’t even want to think about it.”
Johnson’s health, the UFC and fans alike should thank him for that change. Johnson has become a fan favorite in his return, mostly due to his ultra-violent, knockout-first style. Thankfully, his story did not end in 2012. The next chapter in his career may be his best, but he still has a lot of work to do in the form of defeating Daniel Cormier at UFC 187.
Despite the toll taken by injuries and pending criminal cases, UFC 187 remains one of 2015’s most outstanding cards. The event is stacked like few others in this age of oversaturation. Topping the bill is a fight between Anthony “Rumble&rdq…
Despite the toll taken by injuries and pending criminal cases, UFC 187 remains one of 2015’s most outstanding cards. The event is stacked like few others in this age of oversaturation. Topping the bill is a fight between Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Daniel Cormier to crown a new UFC light heavyweight champion for the first time in over four years.
It’s a curious position for the promotion to be in. While the lineal champ is busy trying to stay out of prison, the show must go on. The UFC is now charged with convincing fans that the title remains legitimate in the absence of the sport’s most dominant fighter—no offense to Ronda Rousey.
This task would be much easier in almost any other weight class. Stripping Rafael dos Anjos of the lightweight title? Sure, we might be able to get past that—particularly if KhabibNurmagomedov has the strap. Trying to convince consumers that someone other than Jon Jones is the light heavyweight division’s best is a much tougher pill to swallow.
We’re talking about a long-reigning champion who has steamrolled almost every challenger to his throne. Indeed, he comfortably bested Cormier just a few months ago. It’s difficult to criticise the UFC too harshly on this occasion, though.
Should the organisation have created an interim title instead? Remember, there is no guarantee that Jones will retain his freedom. If we’re to believe Jones’ manager, MalkiKawa, he may never even step foot inside the octagon again. How true that is remains to be seen. It’s difficult to take someone like Kawa seriously.
The UFC was in a tough spot. Holding the title up while Jones’ situation resolves doesn’t actually serve the division’s interests. This way, the promotion can at the very least sell the more casual fan on the legitimacy of the light heavyweight title.
Is it possible that the winner of UFC 187’s main event will eventually make us forget about Jones? The worst-case scenario for the promotion is a Cormier win. His fight with Jones was close through three rounds, but one could argue that the former Olympian was mentally broken in the fight.
Those championship rounds did nothing to support the perception of Cormier as “King of the Grind.” Should he beat Johnson on Saturday night—as I expect him to—the UFC will have a hard time scrubbing the image of Jones repeatedly dumping Cormier on his rear from the minds of everyone who watched the fight unfold.
If Johnson wins, the UFC’s job is made a little easier. He and Jones have never fought, so our imagination isn’t constrained by the reality of past encounters. What’s more, he did what the former champion couldn’t do and took out Alexander Gustafsson in a single round. MMA math has all the precision of an Andrew Golota body shot—a reference for 1990s boxing fans among you—but some people find such comparisons compelling.
It’s worth remembering that sports fans have a short memory and are remarkably good at rationalising what they want to be true. If we are sufficiently attached to a fiction, it’s not difficult to manufacture arguments to support our delusions.
Should Rumble win, we can expect to hear his supporters argue for his claim to the throne: He matches up well with Jones; the former champ hasn’t faced the kind of power Johnson brings to bear, his relentless aggression would wear Jones down over five rounds, etc.
If Cormier wins, his fans will likely take a different approach in light of the loss: He would have beaten Jones if Cain Velasquez was available for his UFC 182 training camp; he was too emotional for the first fight; he would pace himself better if they fought a second time, etc.
Whether Johnson or Cormier can make us forget about Jones isn’t what the UFC should bank on. Selling consumers on the legitimacy of the light heavyweight title depends more on the extent to which fans will delude themselves. Sports fans seem to suffer from a collective form of retrograde amnesia, so don’t be surprised if Jones is perceived like Dominick Cruz within a year.
Jon Jones was set to headline this fantastic event, but he is serving an indefinite suspension for his out-of-cage events. Fear not, fight fans. UFC 187 remains spectacular.
Jones did not make this fight card. Although his exclusion casts a shadow over…
Jon Jones was set to headline this fantastic event, but he is serving an indefinite suspension for his out-of-cage events. Fear not, fight fans. UFC 187 remains spectacular.
Jones did not make this fight card. Although his exclusion casts a shadow over the main event, the UFC built this to be a stacked card without him.
From top to bottom, UFC 187 delivers. The Fight Pass prelims are great, the Fox Sports 1 prelims are stacked and the main card may be the best main card slate you will see in 2015. This is a monster of an event. It was structured magnificently.
The Fight Pass prelims kick off with a stellar flyweight bout between Justin Scoggins and Josh Sampo. It follows with undefeated prospect Islam Makhachev’s company debut before moving onto its final contest between noted veteran Mike Pyle vs. Colby Covington.
The Fox Sports 1 prelims get underway with the first of the 13 top-10 ranked fighters. No. 4-ranked strawweight contender Rose Namajunas steps into the cage against Nina Ansaroff. This will be the first time Namajunas steps in the cage since failing to win The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 finale against Carla Esparza.
The entertaining prelims continue along with Uriah Hall vs. Rafael Natal and No. 8-ranked welterweight Dong Hyun Kim vs. Josh Burkman. The featured prelim of the night belongs to No. 9-ranked flyweight Zach Makovsky and No. 1-ranked John Dodson in what could be a title eliminator.
If you’re counting along, that’s four top-10 ranked fighters before the main card hits, meaning all but one of the main card combatants is a top-10 fighter.
The main card starts in the flyweight division. No. 5-ranked John Moraga will try to upend No. 2-ranked Joseph Benavidez. The fight holds a lot of weight in the division not just because of their high rankings, but because top-ranked contender Dodson is fighting just prior. How these two battles play out will go a long way in determining who challenges Demetrious Johnson.
The opposite end of the spectrum follows the flyweights as No. 8-ranked heavyweight Andrei Arlovski squares off against No. 3-ranked Travis Browne in another bout with substantial title implications.
The lone bout that does not feature two top-10 fighters is in the lightweight division. No. 2-ranked KhabibNurmagomedov was forced off the card with an injury, and John Makdessiaccepted the fight on short notice. No. 3-ranked Donald Cerrone will stand opposite the cage. Oddly enough, Nurmagomedov is on record as saying Cerrone deserves the next title shot if he wins this weekend.
All of that incredible action builds to the two title tilts.
No. 3-ranked middleweight VitorBelfort challenges Chris Weidman for the middleweight crown, and No. 3-ranked light heavyweight Daniel Cormier meets No. 1-ranked Anthony Johnson for the vacant 205-pound title.
Jones does leave a hole on this card, but it is a small one given how deep this fight card is.
13 top-10 ranked fighters on a single fight card is astonishing. It is a credit to the UFC for stacking this card with elite talent. Moreover, putting them in bouts either for the gold or for opportunities to earn title shots only deepens the intrigue into their respective matchups. UFC 187 is the fight event of the year thus far. Saturday evening is a time to post up in front of the television, order the event and enjoy the high-level action from start to finish.
Daniel “DC” Cormier just received the second chance of a lifetime as he fights for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship for a second time in a row, this time against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson on Saturday at UFC 187.
While Cormier is known f…
Daniel “DC” Cormier just received the second chance of a lifetime as he fights for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship for a second time in a row, this time against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson on Saturday at UFC 187.
While Cormier is known for his superior wrestling abilities, he has other tools to complement his wrestling that could help him take the title this time around.
After Cormier‘s victory over Patrick Cummins in February 2014, Joe Rogan stated, “It is his hands and striking … that separates him from other wrestlers.”
It is no secret that Cormier has some heavy hands. When Cummins came in with an overhand right toward the end of the fight, DC just slipped it and countered with his own right. That shot ultimately was the beginning of the end for Cummins.
One of his earliest demonstrations of his punching power came against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in September 2011, as he brought down Silva with a right hand inside the opening minute of the fight.
The overhand right that floored Bigfoot showcased DC’s amazing hand speed, as well.
His quick hands also are demonstrated by his use of the jab. He was able to hook off the jab, which backed Silva up. Additionally, Cormier was able to quickly double up the jab to get inside of Bigfoot’s reach to ultimately set up a knockdown with his powerful uppercut.
Cormier also displays excellent clinching and dirty boxing skills. Every time Cummins came in for a takedown, DC was able to successfully defend, tie him up and sneak in an uppercut that rocked him. Inside the clinch and tie-ups, Cormier also pounded in a couple of shots to Cummins‘ body.
In his fight against Frank Mir in April 2013, DC was able to use the clinch to control Mir. While inside the clinch, Cormier threw shots at Mir and worked the body. He also used the clinch to bully Mir, so he had his back against the cage, which limited his movement. This also prevented Mir to create space inside the clinch to knee Cormier.
While Mir was unable to create the spacing inside the clinch to throw knees, DC was able to use his inside position to push his forearm into Mir’s shoulder to create space and power for his knees. He also raised Mir’s left arm to expose his body for those knee strikes.
Because opponents are too concerned with DC’s hands and takedown abilities, it creates openings for him to land leg kicks. While not a major tool in Cormier‘s arsenal, it does keep a taller opponent honest when he doesn’t create that spacing. Examples of this can be seen against Mir, Roy Nelson in October 2013 and even in his loss against Jon Jones in January.
Cormier isn’t a one-trick pony wrestler. He has several tools that he can use to set up his outstanding wrestling abilities. However, his opponent, “Rumble” Johnson, also is known for his heavy hands and has bit of a wrestling background himself. This is a perfect style matchup for DC and Rumble.
UFC 187 will mark the first time in more than four years that a new light heavyweight champion will be crowned.
Whether it will be Anthony “Rumble” Johnson’s powerful striking or Daniel Cormier’s wrestling that reigns supreme is up for debate.
As two o…
UFC 187 will mark the first time in more than four years that a new light heavyweight champion will be crowned.
Whether it will be Anthony “Rumble” Johnson’s powerful striking or Daniel Cormier‘s wrestling that reigns supreme is up for debate.
As two of the most dedicated athletes in the sport today, their main event matchup Saturday night has the potential to captivate and entrance.
Cormier knows too well what a UFC championship defeat tastes like, having lost to former kingpin Jon Jones back at UFC 182, so the former Olympian will give his best effort ever.
As for Johnson, who has seemingly transcended the division overnight, defeating Cormier would put a cherry on top of his rather admirable return to MMA relevance.
Here is a full head-to-toe breakdown for this 205-pound collision as the fight universe gears up for one of the most stacked events of 2015.
Despite the toll taken