Main Event: Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson 2 (UFC Light Heavyweight Title)
Betting Odds: Jones -260 or 1/3, Gustafsson +240 or 12/5.
In recent memory, I can’t think of a title fight that warranted a rematch more than this one, nevertheless, it’s taken over five years for it to come. Jones vs Gus 1 was a fight that had fans divided on who deserved the victory, there were strong arguments for both Jones & Gus but ultimately Jones was awarded the win by the judges.
The unstoppable Jon Jones had been running rampant through the 205lb weight division, he was expected to walk through Gustafsson having been priced as a -700 favourite. From the first round, it was clear Jon Jones was in for the toughest test of his career, perhaps the only man who can match Jones’s stature at 205lbs Gustafsson pushed the then-champion to the absolute limit.
The shock value added an extra sense of drama to the fight as at the time Jones’s title defences were becoming a routine ritual until Gustafsson made him look human. If you haven’t seen the first fight or need reminding what a great contest it was you can watch it in full HD below.
https://youtu.be/bNKR65ZgT28
Jones should have gone on to greater things after that fight, instead, he fell into a myriad of personal issues. There was the hit and run incident in 2015 then a failed drugs test in 2016 resulting in a one-year suspension, another failed drugs test in 2017 resulting in a 15-month suspension.
These controversies have cost Jones a significant portion of his career, in the 5 years since fighting Gustafsson Jones has managed just 4 fights.
Gustafsson himself has only competed 5 times since the fight with Jones in 2013, interestingly enough out of the two Gustafsson is coming off of a longer lay off.
If the fight in 2013 was indicative of anything it’s that someone who can negate the physical advantages Jones has can cause him some trouble, inactivity aside Gustafsson is the man who can cut Jones’s reach advantage down more than anyone else at Light Heavyweight.
Jones wasn’t interested in a rematch with Gus in the years following the initial meeting, perhaps the fact that both men have had a similar amount of time away from competition has changed his mind.
This is the last & only fighter at 205lbs that has any chance of beating Jones if you ask me, Gustafsson is unquestionably a better fighter now than he was in 2013, no longer a stranger to 5 round fights he’s competed against a couple championship calibre fighters since the last meeting which has made him a more seasoned fighter.
How much better if any better is Jon Jones? the lack of fights isn’t the only factor in Jones’s life, all the court hearings, public humiliation, & personal criticism can change a fighters perspective. Although Jones is a unique case amongst the toughest of tough athletes he’s still got a maximum capacity in terms of mental pressure. Just like Tyson Fury showed a few weeks ago against Deontay Wilder there’s no telling what version of Jones will turn up, or if he can manage to make it to the octagon at all.
When rematches come 5 years apart usually one or both fighters are way past their prime, this isn’t the case with Jones vs Gus 2. Jones can still achieve remarkable things to further enhance his legacy maybe even a move up to Heavyweight in the coming years, for Gus this is his third crack at the 205lb title, more importantly, his last attempt at securing a career-defining win.
Co-Main: Cris Cyborg vs Amanda Nunes (Women’s UFC Featherweight Title)
Betting Odds: Cyborg -247 or 4/11, Nunes +230 or 9/4.
Cris Cyborg has been undefeated since losing her debut fight in 2005, along the way she’s been as dominant as any fighter regardless of gender, not only winning but winning emphatically.
A viciously aggressive striker with the highest finish rate of any active female on the UFC’s roster, Cyborg is a terrifying athlete to witness compete, most of her fights end swiftly without any significant damage being absorbed.
Amanda Nunes is the last woman standing for Cyborg if there’s one fighter who could possibly challenge Cyborg’s dominance it’s Nunes. Carrying stopping power of her own she’s been responsible for brutally finishing two legends of the sport.
Nunes claimed the UFC Bantamweight title from Miesha Tate with a methodical beatdown at UFC 200.
Shortly after becoming champion Nunes demolished the face of Women’s MMA in 48 seconds. This was the last time Ronda would be seen in the octagon, Nunes effectively ended Rousey’s career.
Two more successful title defences followed against Valentina Shevchenko & Raquel Pennington. Nunes now finds herself short of contenders, she has decided to go up in weight to take the ultimate challenge which is trying to defeat Cris Cyborg.
For Nunes, it’s one of those high-risk high reward situations. If she wins that’ll put her in an unreachable territory with wins over Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko (who recently claimed the 125lb title), & Cris Cyborg who seems invincible right now.
If you look at Cris Cyborg’s record there’s only a handful of credible opponents, Nunes would certainly provide the icing on the cake.
(Predictions)
Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson (Jones by KO/TKO)
Cris Cyborg vs Amanda Nunes (Cyborg by KO/TKO)
Carlos Condit vs Michael Chiesa (Condit by Decision)
Ilir Latifi vs Corey Anderson (Latifi by Decision)
Chad Mendes vs Alexander Volkanovski (Mendes by KO/TKO)