Cormier vs Gustafsson – UFC 192 Predictions and Betting Odds
Daniel Cormier puts his UFC light heavyweight belt on the line for the first time Saturday night in Houston.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight division is filled with more plots, subplots, and surprises than a Sherlock Holmes mystery, but Saturday night’s UFC 192 should shed a little light on the situation.
Right now, Daniel Cormier is the champion as he defends his title for the first time as a -325 favourite against Alexander Gustafsson. That in itself is pretty clear – Saturday’s winner is the UFC light heavyweight champion.
But when is a champ not really the undisputed champ? When Jon “Bones” Jones’ comeback is just around the corner, that’s when.
Jones has yet to be reinstated by the UFC but that’s only a matter of time and when he comes back, you can bet your house he’ll have a title shot waiting for him against Cormier or Gustafsson – two guys he’s already beaten. So this title fight is essentially a showdown for the next rematch against Jones.
Outside of the main event, this looks like one of the deepest MMA cards we’ve seen in the past year. Here’s a look at that title fight, as well as UFC odds and predictions for some Saturday’s other must-see fights.
Full UFC 192 Fight Card and Odds
Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson
Betting Odds: Cormier -325
Odds are a little heavier than Cormier supporters would have liked but he’s certainly the favourite here among bettors. While Gustafsson has a five-round war with Jones under his belt, the rest of his resume isn’t really all that impressive. That said, he has a massive reach advantage if he’s able to keep Cormier outside and stuff his takedowns – easier said than done. If Gustafsson doesn’t steal the belt here you have to wonder if he’ll get another crack at the title, so it may be now or never.
Prediction: Cormier via split decision
Johny Hendricks vs. Tyron Woodley
Betting Odds: N/A
Hendricks was a solid favourite here before he had to pull out due to complications during the weight cut and now the UFC says Woodley is in line for the next title shot. Fair’s fair. Woodley is next in line for the strap while Hendricks is next in line at Burger King. Here’s hoping we never see Hendricks in this weight class again.
Prediction: N/A
Ryan Evans vs. Rashad Evans
Betting Odds: Evans -165
So this is an interesting line favouring a fighter who hasn’t made the walk to the octagon in two years. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Evans take care of Bader and go on one last run at the belt before he hangs them up, but it’s going to be a tough battle. The UFC should have given him an easier fight than this to knock the ring rust off because Ryan Bader is in the mix for a title shot after reeling off four straight wins.
Prediction: Bader by Round 3 TKO
Shawn Jordan vs. Ruslan Magomedov
Betting Odds: Magomedov
Jordan is one the last of a dying breed – a heavyweight fighter who looks like he just rolled out of a truck stop every time he fights. Make no mistake, he knows what he’s doing in the octagon. If Magomedov lets his guard down for a second, he could end up on his back thanks to a Jordan head kick. Best bet here is to back the tactician over the brawler.
Prediction: Magomedov by split decision
Jessica Eye vs. Julianna Pena
Betting Odds: Pena -260
Eye definitely has the skill and technique to hang with the up-and-coming Pena, but is she mean enough? Pena will try to take this fight into a phone booth and grind it out, which is bad news for Eye bettors.
Prediction: Pena Round 2 TKO
Ali Bagautinov vs. Joseph Benavidez
Betting Odds: Benavidez -340
Remember all the buzz around Bagautinov a year ago? Sure seems like a long time ago now – as that happens when you go away for a PED suspension. He’s a live dog here as he looks to make a statement against Benavidez, who’s a bit in limbo and is fighting just a week away from his wedding. This fight moves up to the main card after Hendricks vs. Woodley was scrapped.
Prediction: Bauautinov by Round 2 submission