UFC 187 matchups
UFC 187 MATCHUPS
A breakdown of the fights on the main card of UFC 187 Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena:
Anthony Johnson (19-4) vs. Daniel Cormier (15-1)
· CLASS: For vacant light heavyweight title
· LINE: Cormier -115
· STORYLINE: This was supposed to be yet another title defense in the historic run of Jon Jones. That all changed last month when Jones was stripped of his belt and suspended indefinitely after he fled the scene of an accident in Albuquerque, N.M. on foot. So Johnson will instead fight Cormier, who suffered the first loss of his career against Jones in January. Cormier feels he is being discounted because of that loss. The two-time Olympic wrestler steamrolled every opponent before running into Jones. Several times this week, he has said he is quoting former boxer Roy Jones Jr. when he says ‘Ya’ll must’ve forgot’ the accomplishments before the Jones fight. Johnson has had a career resurgence, running off eight straight wins following his UFC release in 2012 after a series of weight-cutting issues and disappointing losses. He may possess the best power in the entire division and will look to end the night with one punch. The biggest issue with Johnson, however, has been sustaining that power throughout the fight. Look for Cormier to try to stall the fight in the first two rounds to make Johnson’s punches less effective, then grind him down in the late rounds.
· PICK: Cormier by decision
Chris Weidman (12-0) vs. Vitor Belfort (24-10)
· CLASS: For Weidman’s middleweight title
· LINE: Weidman -500
· STORYLINE: The tenor of this fight changed dramatically on Friday night. While many fans and observers have discussed the bout as Belfort’s first without the sanctioned use of testosterone and discounted his last few performances as having been enhanced by what many consider sanctioned cheating, Weidman has tried to stay above the fray. He decided to speak up after weighing-in on Friday. Weidman said he had been informed that out-of-competition showed his testosterone levels were significantly lower than Belfort’s, who is 10 years older and had long claimed his natural testosterone levels were so low he wouldn’t be able to compete without replacement therapy. He said Belfort is “still cheating” and he planned to make him pay. Belfort’s tests were not outside the acceptable range allowed for competition and the lab did not identify it as a positive test. The bottom line is that regardless of what Belfort is taking, Wediman is simply a better fighter.
· PICK: Weidman by second-round submission
Donald Cerrone (27-6-0, 1 No Contest) vs. John Makdessi (12-3)
· CLASS: Lightweight
· LINE: Cerrone -550
· STORYLINE: Cerrone said earlier this week that when he accepted Makdessi as a late-replacement opponent for an injured Khabib Nurmagomedov several weeks ago, he had never heard of Makdessi. It was a tough break for Cerrone, who has won seven straight fights and was convinced a win over the undefeated Nurmagomedov would have ensured a title shot. He should still be able to extend his winning streak. Makdessi is actually a better matchup stylistically for Cerrone. He should engage in a standup battle and Cerrone is absolutely locked in at the moment. The only real question with Cerrone in his career has been consistency, but the stakes are very high right now so he should be plenty focused. Look for him to knock down Makdessi and finish the fight on the ground.
· PICK: Cerrone by second-round submission
Travis Browne (17-2-1) vs. Andrei Arlovski (23-10-0, 1 No Contest)
· CLASS: Heavyweight
· LINE: Browne -450
· STORYLINE: This one could get ugly for Arlovski, a former heavyweight champion and one-time training partner of Browne. Arlovski himself has compared Browne to a younger version of himself and that might not bode well for the 36-year-old. Browne is bigger, faster and stronger to go along with his youth advantage. There shouldn’t be a whole lot of mystery to this fight. Neither fighter is likely to be particularly interested in going to the mat. It probably won’t take a whole lot of big punches from Browne to end the festivities.
· PICK: Browne by first-round knockout
Joe Benavidez (21-4) vs. John Moraga (16-3)
· CLASS: Flyweight
· LINE: Benavidez -650
· STORYLINE: Benavidez is in the very difficult spot of being significantly better than just about everyone else in his weight class except for the champion. Benavidez is 6-0 against since dropping to 125 pounds against everyone not named Demetrious Johnson, but has lost to the champion twice. He said all he can do is keep beating everyone else and the rest will work itself out. Moraga is tougher than most in the division, but it might not be enough. Benavidez is on another level right now. While both are fairly well-rounded, the Team Alpha Male product is just a little bit better.
· PICK: Benavidez by decision
ADAM HILL/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
