The return of Jon Jones meets the validation of Daniel Cormier. The legacy of both fighters is tied directly to the outcome of this fight. For Jones, winning back the belt he never lost will get him back on track after years of controversial drug tests and criminal convictions. DC has defeated everyone in the light heavyweight division, except the man who beat him. If he can win on July 29th in Anaheim, California, his legacy will be cemented as the true champion through proper succession. But to fail in beating Jones, there will always be an argument that he was never the true champion, to begin with. I’m sure it’s ironic for Cormier who has simply done the one thing within his control, which is to defeat every single opponent in front of him.
Considering everything on the line, I’m guessing this one will be another decision between two men who want nothing more than to not lose to the other. It will depend on what they both have learned since their first encounter. Jones might be rusty, not having fought nearly as many times as DC lately, but if he is able to utilize his range and keep the fight from becoming a grinding battle against the cage, I don’t see Cormier upsetting the man who already beat him in the first place.
JONES BY DECISION
Tyron Woodley vs Demian Maia is a fight heavily favored for Woodley and rightfully so. Maia has defeated every top contender in the division and earned his number one contender spot repeatedly. His grinding split decision over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 211 was unnecessary. But it gave him the ultimate undisputed nod at the champ.
But this will be the worst matchup in his career to date. Woodley will most likely neutralize the jiu-jitsu ace’s ground game with high-level wrestling defense and his explosive striking will make Maia pay for the slightest mistake on the feet. I see this ending brutally and early in the champ’s favor.
WOODLEY BY FIRST ROUND KO
Cris Cyborg Santos is the most dominate women’s mixed martial artist ever. Since the fall of Ronda Rousey and the continual dethroning of all that have held the bantamweight belt lately, Cyborg’s only setback is her lack of competition. She has arguably never faced a top 1o opponent in the sport. She can’t be blamed considering the UFC only recently added her weight class of 145lb’s.
Tonya Evinger will be a fun test for her. This is someone who holds Invicta’s Featherweight belt which was renounced by Cyborg when she left for the UFC. Evinger is well rounded enough to give Cyborg a strong test but I don’t see her being quick enough to escape punishment from Cyborg in the striking department for long.
CYBORG BY SECOND ROUND TKO
Not much introduction needs to be said about two of the most devastating strikers and all out old school fighting berzerkers in Robbie Lawler and Donald Cerrone, who will try finally stepping into the cage together since the fight has failed to happen on three other occasions.
I don’t think this one is easy to predict at all because both fighters will put themselves in danger to keep the fight exciting and go for a dramatic finish. But if money was on the line and not my heart, I would go with Lawler. He’s just showed he can take out top talent at welterweight more so than Cerrone.
LAWLER BY DECISION
In Jimi Manuwa vs Volkan Oezdemir, we get two top light-heavyweights on a tear in a division that is struggling for its identity and challengers for the belt. Both men are remarkable strikers. I bet Oezdemir will find a way to outstrike Manuwa. But this should be a chess match on the feet that will end badly for the first man to show an opening of any kind to his opponent.
OEZDEMIR BY SECOND ROUND KO
Gabe Keith published his first book, Little Warrior Brother, in June 2017. It draws parallels from his experiences in Iraq with his uncle’s in Vietnam. It can be purchased in print or for Kindle on Amazon.