UFC 187: Anthony Johnson vs. Daniel Cormier - Preview and Predictions

UFC 187 Poster

Main Card:

Donald Cerrone (27-6) vs. John Makdessi (12-3)

Fan favorite Donald Cerrone, steps into the Octagon one more time searching for his eighth win in a row. After His original opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov got injured, John Makdessi steps in on short notice, who dispatched Shane Campbell in the first round less than a month ago at UFC 186.

Makdessi is a striker with backgrounds in taekwondo and karate, he does his best damage inside the pocket. He also has real power in his hands which he fully showcased impressively in his last fight. He excels at setting his preferred range and fighting long despite his lack of height, and his right hand is vicious and powerful. Nine of his 13 career wins have come by KO.

Cowboy is a Muay Thai fighter with a diverse offensive arsenal. Range striking is still his bread and butter. He probes behind a sharp jab and front kicks, strings together the straight right and left hook in combination and finishes with brutal round kicks at all levels.

His stepping knee to the body serves as a vicious counter to aggressive opponents who want to step into the pocket or change levels for a takedown. He works at an excellent pace and mixes all these attacks beautifully, especially his outstanding finishing ability on the ground once he hurts his opponents on feet. .

Donald Cerrone is probably on a best stretch off his career and he is exactly the kind of long, rangy fighter that have given Makdesi trouble in the past. It’s anyhow hard to prepare for someone like Cerrone with a full training camp and Makdessi is fighting him on a very short notice just tells me that this will not be a good night for Makdesi as Cerrone will hurt him and get the finish to make a statement that he is ready for the title shot.

Prediction: Cerrone wins via Submission

Chris Weidman (12-0) vs. Vitor Belfort (24-10)

Chris Weidman will finally defend his 185-pound title against the ‘phenom’ Vitor Belfort in the co-main event a fight almost one and a half year in the making.

Weidman steps in the Octagon for the first time since defeating Lyoto Machida in July. An All-American Division I wrestler, Weidman has developed an elite striking game in a relatively short amount of time. Weidman is a big middleweight, quick and very well-rounded with a wrestling heavy game.

38-year-old Vitor Belfort gets another shot at UFC gold for the fifth time in his long and legendary career. Belfort is a very explosive fighter who hasn’t gone to a decision since 2007. During his time in the Octagon, Belfort has recorded wins over the likes of Rich Franklin, Randy Couture, Wanderlei Silva, Anthony Johnson, Luke Rockhold, Dan Henderson, and Michael Bisping, while fighting in three different weight classes.

Belfort is very dangerous in the initials round as he possesses a one-kick knockout game, which he has displayed against some pretty good opponents in his past three fights, but this week he will find out what a beast Weidman is inside that octagon. Belfort is crossing way too many red flags in this fight like his age; he is no more on TRT, and one and a half year long layoff.

I personally feel this will going to be a straightforward victory for the champ as he has all the advantages in this fight. I think Belfort going to get rag dolled here by the bull that is Weidman, Who will keep coming at Belfort and will finish him eventually.

Prediction: Weidman wins via TKO

Anthony Johnson (19-4) vs. Daniel Cormier (15-1)

In the main event, Daniel Cormier and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson will clash for a shot at Jon Jones' vacant light heavyweight title and a new light heavyweight champion will be crowned for the first time in four years.

Currently riding a nine fight win streak (six by KO) Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is one of the hardest hitter in the UFC. While wrestling is the strong suit of former Olympian Daniel Cormier, Rumble still defends takedowns at an 85% rate and has neutralized grapplers many times throughout the course of his career.

Cormier is fresh off a competitive five round battle against Jones, and is energized by a second consecutive opportunity at UFC gold. As a volume striker, he excels at clinch work and dirty boxing. Cormier plan will be simple – stay away from Johnson's big shots while pressuring him against the cage and looking to get him on his back with his takedowns.

Johnson won't be easy to take down. He's got a major power advantage over Cormier and has been seriously underrated wrestling for MMA. DC needs to be unpredictable and Johnson needs to show better conditioning and wrestling.

Yes Johnson is more powerful of the two but that power will fade eventually if Cormier plays it smart and applies HW champion Cain like strategy of relentless pressure. It is easier said than done, but if Cormier could keep up that high pace he will wear Johnson down and unless he gets clubbed by rumble early in the fight it should be his fight to lose.

Prediction: Cormier wins via Decision