UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones outlasted #2 Daniel Cormier to a grueling unanimous decision victory at UFC 182.
Jones was tested early by Cormier who pressured Jones for the first half of the fight and landed strikes in the clinch. But it was Jones who adjusted, landing strikes of his own and making Cormier hold his weight in the clinch to take the starch out as the fight went on.
The champion even took Cormier down several times for the first time in his professional career and took 4 rounds to 1 on all of the judges scorecards, 49-46.
But, somebody wasn’t impressed by the champ’s performance.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
Fight-of-the-Night honours went to Jones and Cormier, while performances-of-the-night were awarded to Shawn Jordan and Paul Felder. All earned $50,000 USD bonuses.
MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman:
UFC FIGHT PASS EARLY PRELIMSÂ
ALEXIS “SNEAKY ZEBRA” DUFRESNE VS MARION “BELLZEAN BRUISER” RENEAU
WISEMAN PREDICTION: ALEXIS DUFRESNE VIA SUBMISSION
WINNER:Â MARION RENEAU VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
Wiseman: While Dufresne has a submission game, you didn’t see it in this match up. Reneau used her striking and ground-and-pound to overwhelm Dufresne. I think the fight should have been stopped, but it went the distance for the decision win for Reneau.
OMARI “LAKEC” AKHMEDOV VS MATS NILSSON
WISEMAN PREDICTION: MATS NILSSON VIA SUBMISSION
WINNER: OMARI AKHMEDOV VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Wiseman: Akhmedov gassed in the second round, but Nilsson couldn’t stuff the takedowns. Then on the mat, Nilsson used elbows, but didn’t go for positions like he typically does. Akhmedov put together flurries in the first, several takedowns in the second, then was almost choked out in the third. It was just too late. Nilsson should have used his ground game in the second when Akhmedov was clearly tired, but he waited until the last seconds of the final round before he threatened with a submission. Akhmedov walks away with the decision win.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMSÂ
EVAN DUNHAM VS RODRIGO DAMM
WISEMAN PREDICTION: RODRGIO DAMM VIA SUBMISSION
WINNER: EVAN DUNHAM VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Wiseman:Â Realistically it was Damm’s inability to strike with Dunham, as well as his refusal to go for a takedown, that led to his loss. Dunham used his superior striking and reach to pick Damm apart throughout the three rounds. Damm was sluggish until the last minute of the final round which was far too late.
SHAWN “THE SAVAGE” JORDAN VS JARED “THE KILLA GORILLA” CANNONIERÂ
WISEMAN PREDICTION: SHAWN JORDAN VIA TKO
WINNER:Â SHAWN JORDAN VIA FIRST ROUND TKO
Wiseman: As expected, Jordan connected out of nowhere and got the finish. Cannonnier was light on his feet and moved well, but Jordan’s power can close someone’s eyes in a hurry.
MARCUS “THE BAMA BEAST” BRIMAGE VS CODY “NO LOVE” GARBRANDT
WISEMAN PREDICTION: CODY GARBRANDT VIA TKO
WINNER: CODY GARBRANDT VIA THIRD ROUND TKOÂ
Wiseman: The confidence of Garbrandt was truly surprising. Brimage isn’t an easy fight, but Garbrandt made it look that way. The superior striking and timing of Garbrandt kept Brimage thinking. Garbrandt got off his back when needed and his precision striking was on display. Incredible impression made by the young fighter, especially chasing down the late TKO stoppage.
DANNY “LAST CALL” CASTILLO VS PAUL “THE IRISH DRAGON” FELDERÂ
WISEMAN PREDICTION: DANNY CASTILLO VIA SUBMISSION
WINNER: PAUL FELDER VIA 2:09 SECOND ROUND TKO
Wiseman: What an incredible showing by Felder. He completely dominated the fight with excellent technique, beautiful movement, and just schooled Castillo. The second round was just more of the Felder show and he connected perfectly with a spinning backfist for the knockout finish. Incredible.
MAIN CARDÂ
#6 HECTOR “SHOWEATHER” LOMBARD VS JOSH “THE PEOPLE’S WARRIOR” BURKMANÂ
WISEMAN PREDICTION: HECTOR LOMBARD VIA TKO
WINNER: HECTOR LOMBARD VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Wiseman:Â The only surprise of this fight was the fact that it lasted three rounds. Lombard is a beast and he was pressing forward the entire fight while Burkman waited for precise counters. Lombard had Burkman rocked several times, but Burkman showed that while he doesn’t have the skills needed yet, he has a chin.
#11 KYOJI HORIGUCHI VS LOUIS “GOODNIGHT” GAUDINOT
 WISEMAN PREDICTION: LOUIS GAUDINOT VIA SUBMISSION
WINNER: KYOJI HORIGUCHI VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Wiseman:Â The stance of Horiguchi mixed with his speed just allowed him to get in and out at will. Gaudinot had more success in the first round, but it was due to him pressuring Horiguchi. The second and third had Horiguchi puzzling Gaudinot by avoiding shots and throwing blasts of his own.
#15 BRAD TAVARES VS NATE “THE GREAT” MARQUARDTÂ
WISEMAN PREDICTION: NATE MARQUARDT VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
WINNER: BRAD TAVARES VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Wiseman:  It went to the decision, but what I was surprised by was Marquardt not getting a takedown. Tavares used his superior striking, finding fantastic success with his jab and kicks, to slowly defeat Marquardt. Marquardt wasn’t able to get things going his way, especially after he was unsuccessful with any takedowns. Big win for Tavares.
#4 DONALD “COWBOY” CERRONE VS #8 MYLES “FURY” JURY
WISEMAN PREDICTION: DONALD CERRONE VIA SUBMISSION
WINNER: DONALD CERRONE VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Wiseman:Â The plan for Jury was obvious; catch a leg kick and take things to the mat. That didn’t work out so well for him in the first round as he ended up in a body triangle. The second and third just had Cerrone using his kicks to mess up the legs of Jury.
MAIN EVENT
JON “BONES” JONES VS #2 DANIEL “DC” CORMIERÂ
WISEMAN PREDICTION: JON JONES VIA TKO
SARAH KAUFMAN PREDICTION: DANIEL CORMIER VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (CHANGED MIND TO JON JONES)
RANDA MARKOS DECISION: JON JONES VIA TKO
WINNER: JON JONES VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Wiseman:Â Jones’ ability to embrace the clinch, drag down on an opponents arms, and really fight his challengers fight is remarkable. Like GSP would beat his opponents at their own game, Jones also does the same. Tonight we saw him not use his reach advantage, but rather out clinch and out wrestle Cormier. The problem with this kind of fight is that it wasn’t the typical exciting Jones fight. However, he showed Cormier that he is better at his own game.
