UFC 182 emanates Saturday, January 3, 2015, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last Word on Sports’s MMA Department brings to you their fight picks and analysis.
Jon “Bones” Jones (c) vs. Daniel Cormier
James Carlucci, Daniel Richeson, Todd Parkinson: Jones
Trent Dozier: Cormier
“In the lead-up to this bout, it’s been constantly referred to as one of the biggest fight’s in UFC history. And for once, that isn’t hyperbole. For both men their respective identity is on the line. Jones can do as much to solidify his spot as the greatest of all time in one fight as possible. For Cormier, it’s his last chance at becoming something other than an excellent also-ran. When the cage door shuts, I expect Jones to take this. Cormier is a great talent, and would be a dominant UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in any other era, but Jones is a truly special talent. I’m not going to predict the contents of this bout, there are way too many variables for anything but pure conjecture. But I think regardless of how the fight starts, Jones finds a way to use his unparalleled fight IQ to turn the bout in his favor and secure victory, most likely in dominant fashion.” – Carlucci
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs. Myles “Fury” Jury
Carlucci, Parkinson: Jury
Dozier, Richeson: Cerrone
“The gradual, quiet rise of Myles Jury comes to an end against Donald Cerrone. Jury has a very Dominick Cruz-esque style on the feet, where he darts in and out and peppers his opponents. Over his last few fights though, he’s started to show more power, finishing two of his last four opponents by knockout. Jury also has solid wrestling and he’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu. Unfortunately for him, I think Cerrone does everything he does better. His Muay Thai is awesome, and he’s shown power in both his feet and his hands. Cerrone’s offensive and defensive jiu-jitsu is strong, and can finish you from the top of the bottom. Everyone has to lose sometime, and Cerrone is rolling right now. Jury’s going to taste defeat for the first time on Saturday.” – Dozier
Brad Tavares vs. Nate “The Great” Marquardt
Carlucci, Parkinson: Tavares
Dozier, Richeson: Marquardt
“This bout features a couple of dynamic middleweights that will go for the finish. Marquardt is a very well-rounded mixed martial artist that has finishing moves in about every situation. Tavares is a strong and powerful middleweight that is extremely durable and has very heavy hands to finish the fight at any time. Marquardt has shown a suspect chin earlier in his welterweight bouts and I feel that the durability of Tavares will hold up to eventually knock Marquardt out cold. Tavares will finish it in the second and will show that he can move up the middleweight ladder again.” – Parkinson
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Louis “Goodnight” Gaudinot
Carlucci, Dozier, Richeson, Parkinson: Horiguchi
“This is going to be a high-paced fight. Gaudinot has a lot of great transitions and great submission skills, but Horiguchi is riding a wave of confidence after winning eight in a row and has a lot of power in his hands. Gaudinot is not exactly known for punching power, but he has a decent gas tank. Horiguchi has a decent gas tank himself and will be able to overwhelm Gaudinot enough to get the finish.” – Parkinson
Hector “Showeather” Lombard vs. Josh “The People’s Champion” Burkman
Carlucci, Dozier, Richeson, Parkinson: Lombard
“This may steal the show. Burkman is no slouch and Lombard has seemingly found his comfort zone so we will see some athletic movement from both men and hopefully a spectacular finish.” – Richeson
Undercard Radar:
Carlucci: Danny Castillo vs. Paul Felder
Dozier, Parkinson: Evan Dunham vs. Rodrigo Damm
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