Johnson meets Cormier at UFC 187
LAS VEGAS, NV (TheSpread) – The UFC will crown a new light heavyweight champion at UFC 187 in May after the organization has decided to strip and suspend Jon Jones of his title.
Following his arrest for an alleged hit-and-run earlier this week, the UFC has elected to suspend Jones and strip him of his UFC title, which he has held since March 19, 2011. Jones was scheduled to defend his title against Anthony Johnson in the main event of UFC 187 on May 23, but now Johnson will face Daniel Cormier for the vacated championship.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Cormier opens as the favorite to win this championship bout, as he has odds of -145 to prevail, while Anthony Johnson is getting a money line of +115 to win. These two will meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Johnson (19-4) is riding a three-fight win streak in the UFC and he has looked dominant since moving up to light heavyweight after a run in the welterweight division. His power and strength haven’t been lost in the transition and he has been able to overpower opponents with his grappling and striking. He has scored back-to-back first-round KO’s in his last two fights. Cormier (15-1) is coming off a decision loss to Jones back on Jan. 3 for his first pro defeat. He is an Olympic wrestler that has developed some striking, but his strength is his wresting and ability to get opponents down to the ground. Johnson may have the strength to match Cormier and keep the fight standing.
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