Cormier vs. Johnson II Prediction
The UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is up for grabs tonight when Anthony Johnson takes on Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 210.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Johnson is favored to win the rematch, as he is getting odds of -125 to win, while Cormier is listed with odds of -105 to win. These two will meet in the main event of UFC 210, which takes place from the Keybank Center in Buffalo, New York. The main card airs tonight live on PPV, starting at 10PM ET.
Cormier (18-1) is the champion coming into the bout and looking to defend his title for the second time. He won the vacant title back in May of 2015, when he defeated Johnson by third-round submission at UFC 187. Cormier has won three straight, but hasn’t fought since July of last year. The Olympic wrestler has shown improved striking over the year, but this fight will require him to stick to his roots of grappling. That is what allowed him to beat Johnson the first time and will allow him to win today.
Johnson (22-5) has won three straight since losing to Cormier, all by KO in under 6 minutes. He defeated Glover Teixeira in August in just 13 seconds. Johnson is 6-1 as a light heavyweight in the UFC, with five of his wins coming by KO. Johnson is a big, strong and powerful guy with massive pop in his punches. He actually knocked Cormier down in the first round of their previous meeting, but couldn’t follow up. Johnson does have an issue with endurance, as he tends to struggle after his fast starts.
I think this fight will play out much like the first. Johnson will have the edge early, but Cormier is a smart fighter and he will be able to avoid being knocked out in the first round. From there, Cormier will use his pressure and grappling to tire out Johnson. In the middle to late rounds, Cormier should be able to work in a choke on the fatigued Johnson.
UFC 210 FREE PICK: DANIEL CORMIER -105