Tag Archives: Anthony Johnson

UFC 210 Predictions: Why Anthony Johnson Will Beat Daniel Cormier

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Canada’s loss is New York’s gain.

That’s because this rematch was supposed to headline UFC 206 last year in Canada. Unfortunately, the injury bug struck and it was moved to a later date which later became UFC 210 on April 8th, 2017 at the Key Bank center in Buffalo New York.

Take Two

This will be the second fight between current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier and challenger Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson. These two fought for the vacant title in 2015 during the period where Jon Jones was stripped by the UFC of his belt because of personal issues. During that fight, Daniel Cormier effectively used his wrestling base to dominate Anthony Johnson and later submit him to win the world title.

This time around, Cormier promises that he will go to to toe with Rumble, although not many believe he will actually do that against one of the hardest hitting strikers the UFC has ever seen. Johnson is coming off a one-punch annihilation of perennial contender Glover Teixeira. Cormier meanwhile has not fought since beating Anderson Silva in a special match at UFC 200. Both will be making their first ever appearance in New York.

Odds

Cormier is currently pegged at +100 while Rumble is at -130. During their first bout, both fighters were able to show their signature skills: DC with his wrestling and Rumble with his power. Unfortunately for Johnson ( or luckily for DC ), he gassed and was caught in a rear naked choke in Round 3. But that fight was almost two years ago. Cormier is now 38 and although he’s put up back to back wins over Alexander Gustafsson and Anderson Silva, time and injuries may have caught up with the champ. Cormier pulled out from two bouts last year, the latest of which was supposed to be against Rumble at UFC 206.

On the other hand, Anthony Johnson has been on a tear since losing to Cormier. Rumble has recorded three straight knockout wins over Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira. None of those bouts went past round two so doubters will still think about his cardio and stamina in a five round bout. But at 33, Johnson may be at his peak. This is his second attempt at the Light Heavyweight title and it comes against the only man to beat him in this division. Rumble looks like he’s locked in focus on winning that title. We’re picking Anthony Johnson to beat Daniel Cormier and win the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

UFC 206 Preview: Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson Odds and Pick

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With Jon Jones at bay because of a recent drug suspension, the UFC’s next best Light Heavyweights will dispute the 205-pound title at the main event of UFC 206 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Rematch

Current champion Daniel Cormier was supposed to fight Jones for the undisputed title at UFC 200 but in his latest brush with the law, Jones got pulled from the bout and is currently facing a one-year suspension for a drug violation. Instead, Cormier will be facing the red hot Anthony Johnson, who has been knocking out one contender after the other.

This will not be the first time Cormier and Johnson face each other. DC won his current title by defeating Johnson at UFC 187. The two fought for the title which was vacated when Jones was first suspended by the UFC in 2015.

Roles Reversed

DC is -135 in many books while Rumble is popular at +115. This is opposite the numbers they had when they first faced each other at UFC 187 where Rumble closed at -120 and DC at +100. Rumble Johnson was on a nine fight winning streak ( 6 by knockout ) coming to UFC 187. But after Cormier humbled him with a punishing wrestling game, the tides have been turned.

Cormier has fought twice since beating Johnson. He defeated Alexander Gustafsson by split decision and then dominated Anderson Silva in a catchweight bout at UFC 200. Rumble’s coming off knockout wins over Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira. His last two wins have been by first round KO. In 27 fights, Johnson has never gone past round three.

Grounding Rumble

Cormier has said in interviews that he is going to stand and trade with Rumble Johnson this time around. You bet Cormier didn’t mean those words because obliging Rumble in a slugfest would be a death wish. Daniel Cormier has proven to have a good chin. But it’s never wise to have it tested against Rumble Johnson. For Sure DC will go back to his wrestling base in this bout. Just like how he dominated Rumble at UFC 187.

Although he landed only three takedowns in their first bout, DC attempted eight times, meaning he really tried to put the fight on the ground. Those takedowns and attempts took its toll on Rumble and negated his strengths. He became a lame duck on the ground and that led to the rear naked choke finish by Cormier in round three. Rumble Johnson will either have to knock out DC first or take him down first. The latter seems likely. Cormier’s wrestling will be the key here once again. He’s going to grind Rumble to the finish. We expect another late submission victory or a close but clear 3-2 win on the scorecards for Daniel Cormier.

UFC 206 Preview: Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson Rematch Coming

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Daniel Cormier will be defending the UFC Light Heavyweight title against Anthony Johnson at the main event of UFC 206 at the Air Canada Centre in Canada on December 10th.

The champ made the announcement himself at Wednesday’s edition of the UFC Tonight show on FS1:

Take Two

The bout marks the second encounter between the two fighters. Cormier defeated Johnson via rear naked choke submission in the third round of their title bout at UFC 187.

Back then, the two were fighting for the 205-pound title which was vacated after Jon Jones’ series of run ins with the law. After the victory, Cormier has defended the title once, against Alexander Gustafsson. The champ is coming off a unanimous decision win over Anderson Silva in a non-title bout at UFC 200.

On A Roll

Johnson meanwhile has been on a roll, winning three fights in a row since losing to Cormier. All of those victories have come via knockout. Rumble Johnson has won 12 of his last 13 bouts since returning to the UFC. The only blemish in his resume during that period was the loss to Cormier.

After knocking out Glover Teixeira in 13 seconds at UFC 202, Johnson now has the opportunity to exact revenge and finally win the title that has long eluded him.

Grounding Rumble

In his announcement, Cormier vowed to stand and trade with Rumble. He promised to knock his challenger out in the middle of the Octagon. But If we recall their first bout however, Cormier used his wrestling expertise to ground his explosive opponent. Johnson never got his offense going against Cormier who tried to keep the fight on the mat. It will be interesting to see whether Cormier is going to do as he says because going toe to toe with Anthony Johnson is a mortal sin.

In 22 MMA victories, Anthony Johnson has knocked out 16 opponents. Twelve of those knockouts happened in the very first round. Four of Johnson’s last five wins have come  via first round knockout. Known for his punching power and explosiveness, Anthony Johnson loves to brawl like a fish loves water. He’s not known as Rumble for nothing. As for DC, Cormier is known to have a granite chin but it’s still unlikely that he will take his chances in a rumble with Anthony Johnson.