Cormier and Gustafsson will face each other at UFC 192. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
This Saturday (3), UFC 192 will represent an important moment in the history of the UFC light heavyweight category. Newly crowned champion, Daniel Cormier will make his first title defense against Alexander Gustafson, in the main fight of the event to be held in the city of Houston, Texas.
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However, the occasion is important not just because of the fight itself. The two athletes will climb into the Octagon with their eyes on the title, but with the shadow of Jon Jones, former weight champion and widely considered to be the best fighter in the world at the moment.
The fight will take place shortly after Jones reached an agreement with the North American justice system and took a step towards his return to the Octagon. For those who don't know, the fighter was involved in a controversial traffic accident in April, in which he hit a pregnant woman's car and fled without providing assistance. The UFC suspended the fighter and stripped him of his title, but the court's recent decision could bring him closer to a return. Therefore, many are betting that Cormier and Gustafsson will duel to see who will be Jones' next opponent – who has already defeated both of them in the past.
This will be the first title defense for Cormier, who won the belt in May. At the time, “DC” survived the momentum of Anthony Johnson and imposed his wrestling until obtaining a beautiful submission.
Despite the importance of the fight, it is undeniable that the light heavyweight division is going through a “scorched earth” moment without Jones. Cormier was chosen to fight for the belt after a defeat to Jones, while Gustafsson lost in his last fight to Johnson.
Whoever wins the fight will be able to put their most recent defeats behind them and be one step closer to establishing themselves as king among fighters under 93 kg. The loser, however, must take several steps back.
To do this, Cormier must rely on his Olympic-level wrestling, which was a fundamental weapon in his victory over Johnson. Gustafsson, on the other hand, must show sharp movement and fair kickboxing to nullify Cormier's “grinder” style. It's a clash of styles that promises to leave the Houston audience on their feet.
If Jones doesn't come back, there's already someone next in line.
Bader (left) and Evans (right) fight at UFC 192. Photo: Produção SUPER LUTAS (Disclosure/UFC)
Due to recent events, many already imagine that the winner of the night's main fight will be the next to face Jon Jones inside the octagon. However, if the former champion still doesn't return to action, UFC 192 will probably decide who will try to win the belt next.
This is because the co-main fight will feature a duel between Ryan bader e Rashad evans. Bader is on a four-fight winning streak and expected to be the next to fight for the title, but ended up being passed over. If he makes it to the fifth, it will be inevitable that the UFC will give him a title fight.
Evans, in turn, has been struggling with injuries for some time – his last performance was in November 2013. However, with the credentials of a former champion, “Sugar” could turn things around if he can stop Bader's good form.
The only Brazilian at the event fights on the preliminary card
Lightweight Adriano Martins will be the only Brazilian representative at UFC 192. The man from Manaus will try to get his third victory in a row inside the Octagon against the undefeated Islam makhachev, who will have his second fight in Ultimate.
The rest of the preliminary card will feature some interesting duels. Former challengers for the flyweight belt, Joseph Benavidez and Ali Bagautinov duel victims of Demetrious Johnson; Furthermore, the event will feature the debut of the UFC's youngest active fighter: the undefeated Sage Northcutt, 19 years old, who will debut in the octagon against Francisco Trevino.
Check out the UFC 192 technical sheet below:
DATE AND TIME: 03/10/2015, from 19pm (Brasília time)
PLACE: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (USA)
STREAMING: Combat Channel
MAIN CARD
Light heavyweights: Daniel Cormier (93 kg) x Alexander Gustafson (92,5 kg)
Light heavyweights: Ryan bader (93,4 kg) x Rashad evans (93 kg)
Heavy: Shawn Jordan (116,1 kg) x Ruslan Magomedov (107 kg)
Flies: Joseph Benavidez (57,1 kg) x Ali Bagautinov (56,7 kg)
Roosters: Jessica Eye (61,6 kg) x Julianna Pena (61,2 kg)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Feathers: Yair Rodriguez (65,7 kg) x Dan Hooker (66,2 kg)
Welterweights: Alan Jouban (77,1 kg) x Albert Tumenov (77,1 kg)
Mild: Adriano Martins (70,7 kg) x Islam makhachev (70,7 kg)
Straws: Rose namajunas (52,1 kg) x Angela Hill (52,1 kg)
Mild: Francisco Trevino (72,5 kg*) x Sage Northcutt (70,7 kg)
Flies: Chris Cariaso (57,1 kg) x Sergio Pettis (57,1 kg)
Heavy: Derrick Lewis (116,1 kg) x Viktor Pesta (107,5)
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