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Who wins the Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier fight, and how?
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST
I keep going back and forth with this fight. It's not that I can't decide who wins, but more how Jon Jones wins. I don't think it's going to be easy, far from it, but I can't decide if he wins with a stoppage or it goes the full five rounds and he wins via decision.
Daniel Cormier is a phenomenal wrestler, but it's everything else that concerns me. He hasn't faced a striker anywhere near the level of Jones. Granted he's faced heavy hitters like Henderson and Nelson, but no one with the versatility or speed of the champion.
I also doubt he can stay competitive approaching the end of a twenty-five minute fight. I'm sure he'll make life very uncomfortable for Jones in the early stages, but keeping that going for the duration will be near impossible. Jones will be diverse enough to come through any rough spots and take this via unanimous decision.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Jones takes Cormier apart piece by piece. I don't think it'll be easy by any means, but Cormier has never fought anyone like Jones. The reach and speed, combined with good power, make this a hard fight for Cormier. I also think that cardio and endurance plays a huge role in this. Cormier will likely be sucking wind about three minutes into the fight, while Jones is just getting started. I have no faith in Cormier's cardio. There's no question that Cormier possesses big power, and I assume his wrestling is still very good, though his age brings questions. Cormier is 35 while Jones is 27, that's going to factor in. Cormier is a good fighter, and is certainly capable of pulling the upset, but I don't think he can hang with Jones for an extended period. If Cormier doesn't finish Jones in the first round, I don't think he wins. I think Jones will engage cautiously with Cormier in the early going, then pick up the pace as Cormier tires. I'd say he'll probably finish Cormier around the fourth round or so. Jones has the reach to make Cormier work hard to try to touch him and that will wear him out. I think Jones comes out and makes a big statement in this fight.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I believe that Daniel Cormier is going to beat Jon Jones up from pillar to post, out-wrestle and out-strike him, and completely break his spirit. There's one catch: Jones will come back better because of the loss. I'm taking Daniel Cormier to win by decision in a grueling, grind-out-the-best-fighter-walking-the-earth-today type fight.
KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I believe Jon Jones will win and stop Daniel Cormier. I think he will continue to use his greatest asset, his reach, to perfection, and use distance well to eventually drop Cormier and finish him via TKO.
TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
Much as I think Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier is a good match up, it just isn't floating my boat as much as maybe it should. The WWE style fight, the trash talking just hasn't felt real for one moment, and I'm struggling to get invested in this fight. I'm sure come Saturday night things might be different.
Jon Jones is the best MMA fighter on the planet at the moment and will have to be at his best to beat Daniel Cormier, and I think he will. Daniel Cormier hasn't fought anyone close to Jones' level, and with such a height and reach advantage he will have to take a lot of damage and risks to get close to Jones. If Cormier can get close, tie him up against the Octagon, the advantage should be with him, though Jones isn't a slouch in this department, he can mix it with the best up again the fence, and throws some dangerous elbows up close.
The biggest question is, can Cormier take Jones down and keep him down? I'm sure he can, but at what cost? If he is successful in taking Jones down, he will be able to implement his game plan, use his ground and pound to great effect, and just could become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Though, if Jones uses his reach advantage to keep Cormier at distance, frustrate him with leg kicks and jabs, keep Cormier thinking about what might be coming next, this could be another routine victory.
Jones may have to weather an early storm, but if he can get through that I think it'll be all downhill for Cormier. I'm not with the bookies who see this fight being very close. Jones is the best for a reason, and come fight time we will see why.
Prediction: Jon Jones via TKO in the third round
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