An exciting night of fights is on course this Saturday when UFC 192 livens up Toyota Center at Houston. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier puts his title on the line against one of the division’s top dogs in Alexander Gustafsson. The undercard is also not short on big-name fights with former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks taking on Tyron Woodley and former light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans going head-to-head against Ryan Bader.
Don’t miss out on this enormous night of fights. Read on for everything you need to know for UFC 192 from top to bottom. Get some college football before the main card starts; check out two of Saturday’s top FBS games in Texas vs. TCU and Mississippi State vs. Texas A&M.
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UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson Preview
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson
A string of unlikely circumstances placed Daniel “DC” Cormier (16-1) as the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. After losing in his initial challenge for UFC gold against then-champion Jon Jones, Cormier was set to meet a certain Ryan Bader for his comeback fight. But Jones was caught in a hit-and-run case, stripped of the title and indefinitely suspended.
Cormier ended up challenging for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Champion against No. 1 contender Anthony Johnson. Cormier won via third-round submission (rear-naked choke).
[sc:UFC240banner ]The King of the Grind, as Cormier calls himself, is one of the best wrestlers in the light heavyweight division. He took down the aforementioned Johnson, who’s known for his takedown defense, three times in their past bout. But he’s more of a grinder on the fence rather than a wrestler who blasts double legs to force his opponents to the mat. Cormier’s successful on just 41 percent of his takedowns in his UFC and Strikeforce careers combined.
Cormier may have his hands full against former title challenger Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson (16-3), who has arguably been Jones’ biggest challenge thus far. Gustafsson has slick hands that he uses to land 4.06 significant strikes per minute. His body punches, mostly jabs and straights, could suck the win out of anyone, especially a plump Cormier.
What makes Gustafsson so successful is his size in the Light Heavyweight Division. He stands at 6-foot-5, and has a 77 inch reach. Gustafsson is pretty mobile for his size, regularly going on his bicycle to keep opponents on their toes. He’s good at countering those who rush him, which should have Cormier worry about recklessly shooting in. Gustafsson’s lateral movement is also top notch, which leads to an impressive 87 percent takedown defense rate.
Writer’s prediction: Gustafsson peppers Cormier with punches aplenty. The Mauler (+260) takes the decision 49-46 across the cards.
Johny “Big Rigg” Hendricks (17-3) brings his big left hand back home to Texas in a No. 1 contender bout against Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley (15-3). Unfortunately, Hendricks seems to have abandoned the best weapon that got him to the top of the decision—his knockout power. He’s become more of a grinder now with his wrestling.
A wrestling approach may not be too successful against The Chosen One. Woodley has shrugged off 92 percent of takedowns attempted against him. He also has dynamite in both of his hands. Woodley has three knockout victories in his last five fights.
Writer’s prediction: It’s going to be a bitter homecoming for Hendricks. He fails on a couple takedowns too many as Woodley (+270) batters him on the feet.
“Suga” Rashad Evans (24-3-1) is back! After a two-year absence, Evans has the chance to get himself right in the mix for the light heavyweight championship with a fight against No. 4-ranked Ryan “Darth” Bader (20-4). A couple of knee injuries should be a concern for Suga, though. He may no longer be the explosive wrestler who could go for blast double legs for three takedowns per match.
Bader is just entering his prime as one of the best wrestlers in all of MMA. Bader is averaging 3.59 takedowns per match and also has knockout power in his fists. He’s won four-straight fights, including big victories over contenders Phil Davis and Ovince Saint Preux.
Writer’s prediction: Evans starts fast, but eventually dwindles due to ring rust. Bader (+135) takes over in the final two frames to grind out the decision (29-28).
If you love 500 pounds of flesh teeing it off in the middle of the cage, then you’re going to love this matchup between Shawn “The Savage” Jordan (18-6) and Ruslan “Leopard” Magomedov (13-1). A former BCS Champion with the LSU Tigers in 2003 and 2007, Jordan has seemingly found his stride in MMA. He’s on a three-fight win streak all by knockout or technical knockout.
The Savage may just have the edge in this matchup. While Magomedov has slick striking (landing 3.67 significant strikes per minute), he doesn’t have the power to put his opponents away. His last three fights have all gone the distance.
Writer’s prediction: Jordan (+130) ravages Magomedov to a second-round technical knockout.
Women’s Bantamweight: Jessica Eye vs. Julianna Pena
We have a cat fight to open the main card when top contender Jessica “Evil” Eye (11-3, 1NC) welcomes Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Pena (7-2) into the top 10 of the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Division. Eye most recently dropped a unanimous decision against perennial contender Miesha Tate. But she did have her flashes of brilliance, finding a home for her jab and cross. Eye just found Tate’s power too difficult to recover from after suffering a first-round knockdown.
Pena is one of the division’s up-and-coming talents. She won The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 tournament, but suffered a devastating knee injury, which had her on the shelf for nearly two years. Her comeback fight was spectacular; Pena didn’t lose an ounce of her tenacity as she grounded and pounded her opponent, Milana Dudieva, into a pulp. The Venezuelan Vixen unloaded on 37 significant strikes (32 to the head) while Dudieva landed none in a first-round stoppage victory.
Writer’s prediction: Pena (-250) unloads on Eye as she picks up yet another technical knockout victory.
Fox Sports 1 Prelims
Joseph Benavidez is too fast and too strong. He’d be the champion if not for reigning flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson. Benavidez (-320) wins a dominant unanimous decision over Ali Bagautinov.
Yair Rodriguez has the flare for flashy kicks. Daniel Hooker gets hit too much for his own good. Rodriguez (-300) gets the second round TKO.
Albert Tumenov has dynamite in his hands. Alan Jouban also has bricks for fists, but ironically eats way too many punches himself. Tumenov (-260) wins by second round knockout.
Rose Namajunas doesn’t just have flashy kicks; she also has slick submissions, while Angela Hill just plain sucks on the ground. Namajunas (-280) gets the first round tapout by way of armbar.
UFC Fight Pass Prelims
Islam Makhachev is tenacious. Adriano Martins could get caught staring at his opponents. Makhachev (-120) dominates Martins to a unanimous decision.
Sage Northcutt is one of the better multi-faceted prospects entering the UFC. Francisco Trevino is a one-dimensional Muay Thai striker. Northcutt (-450) uses his wrestling to put the beatdown on Trevino for the third round decision.
Sergio Pettis has some of the best striking in the flyweight division. Chris Cariaso also is a solid overall striker, but is getting up there in age. Pettis (-175) pulls away late as he takes a competitive decision.
Derrick Lewis is powerful, but for only one round. He gasses moving forward. Viktor Pesta is one of the better wrestlers in the heavyweight division. Pesta (-160) beats down on a tired Lewis for the second round stoppage.
