UFC 200 ‘Jones vs. Cormier’ Jon Jones Redemption or DC Ascension?

(SPONSORED CONTENT) -- Back in Jan. 2015, Light-heavyweight Champion of the World Jon Jones was poised to dominate the Sport of MMA as the brightest star in the UFC galaxy. Blessed with incredible athleticism, freakish strength, an astonishing set of fighting skills to go along with an almost unblemished record (20-1 with the one loss by DQ), Jones was widely considered to be one of the best- if not the best- fighters on the planet.

With his convincing unanimous decision victory (21-1) over the brutishly strong Olympic wrestler/MMA fighter/UFC #1-Ranked contender Daniel Cormier, Jones had taken on and defeated all comers. Then he ran into a little car problem…

To say that the following 15 months became a roller-coaster for Jones would be an understatement.

Stripped of his title, charged with a felony, dropped from lucrative endorsement deals and then a brief stint in rehab later, Jones came back in April of this year with a solid if decidedly unspectacular unanimous decision win over lightly regarded Ovince St. Preux to secure his place in the light-heavy line to the top, where Cormier was waiting.

Cormier, in the interim, had wasted no time in Jones’ absence, formidably muscling his way to the vacated Light-Heavy belt with satisfying if not exactly scintillating victories over feared contender and KO artist Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, and the always dangerous, tough-as-nails Alexander Gustaffson.

But Jones’ long shadow loomed large over every Cormier triumph and after DC suffered an injury prior to a scheduled rematch at UFC 197, the genuine bad blood between the world’s two most powerful Light-Heavyweights erupted again. Harsh words were exchanged and Jones called out rival Cormier with a promise to- “…stick a foot in DC’s ass.”

Over in the Cormier Camp, the Champion appears to be genuinely enraged with Jones pre-fight barking and more than somewhat slighted by oddsmakers touting Jones as the clear Favorite (currently Jones -270/Cormier +230) for the July 9 rematch/Main Event. Yet DC has always been perceived- fairly or unfairly- as a kind of “Rodney Dangerfield” of the UFC, a champion who just can’t seem to “…get no respect.”

At age 37, the powerhouse Cormier is undoubtedly embracing perhaps his last chance to solidify his legit UFC Champion status, but he’s facing a 28 year-old Jones who is motivated by his own very real and precious shot at redemption, and gives every indication that he’s at the absolute peak of his unparalleled fighting powers.

In their first grinding, grueling 5 round battle, Cormier effectively pressured Jones early with surprisingly sharp standup skills that neutralized Jones’ enormous 12-inch reach advantage before Jones took control in the Championship rounds, taking Cormier down repeatedly and punishing him in the clinches while maintaining octagon control.

For the rematch, smart money says DC’s playbook was used up the first time around and the much more polished Jones will establish his superiority in every area- especially his creative striking skills- this time to finish the worthy Cormier.

The DC camp, on the other hand, has to hope that the 37 year-old will be able to hurt Jones early with his fists, then get “Bones” on the ground, something he was completely unable to do until it was much too late in the first fight.

Jones is the safe bet and only true gamblers will take the fat money odds on the Champion.

But this is the UFC Betting in Las Vegas so…

LET’S GET IT ON!

www.betonline.ag