UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson Preview<\/h2>\nUFC Light Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson<\/h3>\n
Line:<\/strong> Daniel Cormier (-340<\/strong>) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (+260<\/strong>) \u2013 view all UFC 192 lines<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n A string of unlikely circumstances placed Daniel \u201cDC\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n [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\u2019s known for his takedown defense, three times in their past bout. But he\u2019s more of a grinder on the fence rather than a wrestler who blasts double legs to force his opponents to the mat. Cormier\u2019s successful on just 41 percent of his takedowns in his UFC and Strikeforce careers combined.<\/p>\n Cormier may have his hands full against former title challenger Alexander \u201cThe Mauler\u201d Gustafsson (16-3), who has arguably been Jones\u2019 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s good at countering those who rush him, which should have Cormier worry about recklessly shooting in. Gustafsson\u2019s lateral movement is also top notch, which leads to an impressive 87 percent takedown defense rate.<\/p>\n Writer\u2019s prediction:<\/strong> Gustafsson peppers Cormier with punches aplenty. The Mauler (+260<\/strong><\/a>) takes the decision 49-46 across the cards.<\/p>\n Line:<\/strong> Johny Hendricks (-350<\/strong>) vs. Tyron Woodley (+270<\/strong>) \u2013 view all UFC 192 lines<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Johny \u201cBig Rigg\u201d Hendricks (17-3) brings his big left hand back home to Texas in a No. 1 contender bout against Tyron \u201cThe Chosen One\u201d Woodley (15-3). Unfortunately, Hendricks seems to have abandoned the best weapon that got him to the top of the decision\u2014his knockout power. He\u2019s become more of a grinder now with his wrestling.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Writer\u2019s prediction:<\/strong> It\u2019s going to be a bitter homecoming for Hendricks. He fails on a couple takedowns too many as Woodley (+270<\/strong><\/a>) batters him on the feet.<\/p>\n Line:<\/strong> Rashad Evans (-165<\/strong>) vs. Ryan Bader (+135<\/strong>) \u2013 view all UFC 192 lines<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSuga\u201d 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 \u201cDarth\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s won four-straight fights, including big victories over contenders Phil Davis and Ovince Saint Preux.<\/p>\n Writer\u2019s prediction:<\/strong> Evans starts fast, but eventually dwindles due to ring rust. Bader (+135<\/strong><\/a>) takes over in the final two frames to grind out the decision (29-28).<\/p>\n Line:<\/strong> Shawn Jordan (+130<\/strong>) vs. Ruslan Magomedov (-160<\/strong>) \u2013 view all UFC 192 lines<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n If you love 500 pounds of flesh teeing it off in the middle of the cage, then you\u2019re going to love this matchup between Shawn \u201cThe Savage\u201d Jordan (18-6) and Ruslan \u201cLeopard\u201d Magomedov (13-1). A former BCS Champion with the LSU Tigers in 2003 and 2007, Jordan has seemingly found his stride in MMA. He\u2019s on a three-fight win streak all by knockout or technical knockout.<\/p>\n The Savage may just have the edge in this matchup. While Magomedov has slick striking (landing 3.67 significant strikes per minute), he doesn\u2019t have the power to put his opponents away. His last three fights have all gone the distance.<\/p>\n Writer\u2019s prediction:<\/strong> Jordan (+130<\/a><\/strong>) ravages Magomedov to a second-round technical knockout.<\/p>\n Line:<\/strong> Jessica Eye (+190<\/strong>) vs. Juliana Pena (-250<\/strong>) \u2013 view all UFC 192 lines<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n We have a cat fight to open the main card when top contender Jessica \u201cEvil\u201d Eye (11-3, 1NC) welcomes Julianna \u201cThe Venezuelan Vixen\u201d Pena (7-2) into the top 10 of the UFC Women\u2019s 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\u2019s power too difficult to recover from after suffering a first-round knockdown.<\/p>\n Pena is one of the division\u2019s 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Writer\u2019s prediction:<\/strong> Pena (-250<\/a><\/strong>) unloads on Eye as she picks up yet another technical knockout victory.<\/p>\n Joseph Benavidez is too fast and too strong. He\u2019d be the champion if not for reigning flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson. Benavidez (-320<\/a><\/strong>) wins a dominant unanimous decision over Ali Bagautinov.<\/p>\n Yair Rodriguez has the flare for flashy kicks. Daniel Hooker gets hit too much for his own good. Rodriguez (-300<\/a><\/strong>)\u00a0gets the second round TKO.<\/p>\n Albert Tumenov has dynamite in his hands. Alan Jouban also has bricks for fists, but ironically eats way too many punches himself. Tumenov (-260<\/strong><\/a>) wins by second round knockout.<\/p>\n Rose Namajunas doesn\u2019t just have flashy kicks; she also has slick submissions, while Angela Hill just plain sucks on the ground. Namajunas (-280<\/strong><\/a>) gets the first round tapout by way of armbar.<\/p>\n Islam Makhachev is tenacious. Adriano Martins could get caught staring at his opponents. Makhachev (-120<\/strong><\/a>) dominates Martins to a unanimous decision.<\/p>\n Sage Northcutt is one of the better multi-faceted prospects entering the UFC. Francisco Trevino is a one-dimensional Muay Thai striker. Northcutt (-450<\/strong><\/a>) uses his wrestling to put the beatdown on Trevino for the third round decision.<\/p>\n 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<\/strong><\/a>) pulls away late as he takes a competitive decision.<\/p>\n 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<\/strong><\/a>) beats down on a tired Lewis for the second round stoppage.<\/p>\n![\"Alexander](\"http:\/\/topbet.eu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Alexander-Gustafsson-600x441.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWelterweight: Johny Hendricks vs. Tyron Woodley<\/h3>\n
Light Heavyweight: Rashad Evans vs. Ryan Bader<\/h3>\n
![\"Ryan](\"http:\/\/topbet.eu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Ryan-Bader-600x396.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHeavyweight: Shawn Jordan vs. Ruslan Magomedov<\/h3>\n
Women\u2019s Bantamweight: Jessica Eye vs. Julianna Pena<\/h3>\n
![\"Julianna](\"http:\/\/topbet.eu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Julianna-Pena-600x399.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFox Sports 1 Prelims<\/h3>\n
UFC Fight Pass Prelims<\/h3>\n