Last night at UFC 182 for anyone watching, you witnessed one of the best title defenses of the sport. Daniel Cormier was Jones' biggest challenge to date without a question. But that couldn't take down the champ. With last night's eighth title defense, he is now 21-1 in his professional career. If nobody is here to take him down, then it seems like he can go down as the greatest of all time in the sport as a whole. This feud can't be over just yet. Cormier needs his rematch for the title next. The personal feud will only continue to add to the money coming in. In a sport that is in need for more personalities now, this back and forth has been one that's been exciting for all MMA fans. There's the labels of a good and bad guy. The story has unfolded and isn't quite finished yet, at least to me.
Jones started out the first round trying to get in some close range kicks on Cormier. There's no denying the crazy athletic things that he's been able to do as the champion. This came as a result of the former Olympic wrestler, Cormier, failing to get a takedown on Jones from the get go. The tide turned quickly as Cormier for the first time in his career in the UFC was taken down. Although he was taken down, he bounced back up quickly continuing to look for an opening. When another takedown was attempted but failed, the crowd immediately got behind the challenger chanting, "DC, DC." With a little under three minutes left, Jones started to get in some of the his best accurate punches to date leaving some early damage on Cormier. However, Cormier got the last laugh in the first round with a hard uppercut right before the time went out.
In the start of the second round the champ went to the body. He connected with a hard kick into Cormier's midsection. Even though DC took the shot well, he went for another takedown that came up short. In the second minute of the round the two locked up against the cage. For that brief amount of time, DC went for the guillotine choke but ended up separating. When all else failed at that point, Cormier went on the offensive which forced Jones into the clinch. In this round both got off some hard strikes on each other. This fight was becoming a battle in the trenches so to speak.
When you've got the advantage of height and reach you better use it. This is exactly what Jones went to in the start of the third round. It's been the backbone of his success, so why change anything? If it isn't broken don't fix it. Cormier still was able to close the distance at multiple points with some short distance striking. With every single shot connecting it drew a roar from the fans in attendance. It was clear the majority wanted a new champion in town. Jones has definitely been labeled the bad guy in this entire rivalry. His momentum was stopped when Jones poked DC right in his eye. Once the action got going again both went for takedowns that failed, which resulted in the two jockeying for position in the clinch. Although Jones kept hitting his long distance strikes, DC was back at his chest yet again over and over. With Cormier rallying on late in the round, this was yet another tough round to score.
After opening the fourth round with some kicks once again, Jones was able to dump Cormier twice to the floor. On the second takedown Jones was working in for a choke, but DC was able to fight his way out of it and got to his feet. This was Jones' best round of the fight where it was on his side the whole way through. He had Cormier pinned against the fence the majority of the time to continue hitting some strikes on him. With just about two minutes left, Cormier tried to get the points back that he lost in this round but just couldn't find a rhythm.
In the final round Cormier came out firing. He knew this was it for him. He had to make the champ tap or knock him out somehow. Although it isn't a written rule, it's been shown in combat sports that if the title is going to change, then you have to KO or submit the champ. Failing to takedown Jones just resulted with Jones controlling the clinch against the cage the majority of the time. After a good amount of time with a lot of pure grappling, the takedown finally came through for DC. But, he couldn't hold down the man they call "Bones" as he flew back up immediately. Jones was able to hold off and get to the final horn.
This was definitely JJ's toughest challenge to date. Last night proved to us all why he's the greatest fighter in the world standing today. He has literally conquered the light heavyweight division. There's been multiple times that he's stated he could go up to the heavyweight division or even into boxing. No matter what happens next or where he goes, I'll always love the champ. He studies his opponents so closely that he knows what they're basically thinking in their mind. There's got to be a rematch for the title at some point. The feud between these two isn't just over yet. The personal heat between the two added fire for this PPV for sure. But, in the end Jon "Bones" Jones proved why he's the champ and the best in the world after defeating Daniel "DC" Cormier.
By : Billy Stewart
Follow @BGStewart34
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