IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Jones looks to make champ Cormier ‘submit’ in rematch
ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Daniel Cormier was among the first to officially weigh-in Friday morning for UFC 214, wasting no time in making the 205-pound limit to defend his light-heavyweight title against former champion Jon Jones on Saturday night at the Honda Center.
Cormier looked like a dried sponge and initially was overweight for his successful title defense last April against Anthony Johnson, but he made weight without complication for Jones, though the early weigh-in was a sign he was eager to rehydrate.
“There are no reasons as to why I shouldn’t get my hand raised on Saturday,” Cormier said. “Everything is in order for me.”
Jones, who professed to eating ice cream Thursday, weighed in at 204.5 and looked to be in tremendous condition for what some are calling one of the best matchups in UFC history.
The pick here is Jones by stoppage in the fourth round. It might be by submission or by strikes with fists or elbows, ending what should be a terrific brawl while it lasts.
Saturday’s main event is a rematch of their first meeting in January 2015, in which Jones won a unanimous decision to retain the UFC lightheavyweight title. Jones should win more decisively Saturday.
“The first time, I had some questions about who was going to win,” Jones said. “Now I already know what I can do. I’ve got a blueprint. The goal here is to finish the fight. I want to be the first person to make DC quit in the Octagon and I know it’s going to happen.”
Much has happened since they first met. Jones has fought just once in that span after being suspended twice. He was first suspended and stripped of his title by the UFC after being involved in a hit-and-run accident in Albuquerque, N.M., in which a pregnant woman was injured. Now he’s coming off a year’s suspension after testing positive for two estrogen blockers. Jones said they were over-the-counter male-enhancement pills.
Despite his inactivity, Jones, 30, is still in his prime and looks to be in great shape. His 7-foot wing span and 6-foot-4 frame remains a puzzle that has yet to be solved. It’s quite possible the best of Jones is yet to come.
“I’m excited to be the G.O.A.T.,” he said, “and not only beat this guy, but finish him this time. This is what my camp expects out of me. It’s finishing people and to provide an output that I don’t believe he can handle.”
Cormier, a decorated wres- tler, has been a worthy champion, but has never been given full credit because he hasn’t defeated Jones. At age 38, he needs a win to validate his championship reign.
“I think in time the result of one fight will not overcome everything I’ve done in this sport,” he said. “But the reality is for me, I do need to win this fight. If you look at all the things I’ve done in my career, I’ve done it all, outside of beating Jon Jones. It’s the last thing for me to do.”
Cormier (19-1) says he underestimated Jones before their first bout. He didn’t expect Jones (22-1) to be as strong as he was and how difficult it would be to contend with his long arms and legs.
“You learn from experience,” he said. “Those are things I will not do Saturday night.”
This is the kind of match-up that helped build the UFC brand into a $4 billion business.
“I think it will be one of the greatest fights in MMA history because the skill level is higher than it’s ever been,” Jones said. “You have guys fighting in the UFC who could have played other sports. For me and Daniel to do what we’ve both done, this is probably the highest level of MMA you’re going to get. I’m just trying to get my belt back. That’s all I truly care about.”