UFC 182: Donald Cerrone vs. Myles Jury Head-to-Toe Breakdown
UFC 182 is set for two of the most prolific light heavyweight fighters to ever grace the center of the Octagon in Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.
It's a foreground for what may turn out to be the greatest champion collision this side of Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz, with the bad blood to fuel the flame.
But before the big dogs bark it out this Saturday in Las Vegas, two of the very best lightweight contenders in the promotion will go to work.
Now even though undefeated Myles Jury doesn't possess the linear track record of his opponent Donald "The Cowboy" Cerrone, he does command the fluidity, creativity and drive to defeat him.
It will be up to one of the hottest fighters in the sport right now to prolong his divisional ascension, knock off the young Fury and work his way toward a rematch with champion Anthony Pettis.
Here is the head-to-toe breakdown for Cerrone vs. Jury as we gear up for 2015's much-anticipated launch.
Striking Precision
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As one of the very best kickboxers in the promotion, Cerrone needs to have a delicate touch to satisfy his striking appetite.
This means he is at his absolute best when he's able to lie back in the pocket, pick his shots, attack with confidence and manifest rhythm.
It's a natural gift that Cerrone has built upon and one that is rarely mirrored by his adversaries.
As for Jury, who does offer his own set of unique striking skills, it's going to be a true feat to match the violent exertion that his elder puts forth.
He must close the distance between him and Cerrone in order gain momentum through guerrilla warfare tactics.
Advantage: Cerrone
Knockout Power
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Despite being known as a tough striker capable of launching head kicks at the drop of a dime, Cerrone only has four finishes by knockout or TKO in his career.
That's only 16 percent.
Jury, on the other hand, has finished seven out of his 15 career bouts by way of knockout or TKO.
Now, it's important to understand that Cerrone is in fact one of the soundest strikers in the weight class, but when you take into consideration each fighter's track record, it becomes clear that Jury can finish Cerrone by way of strikes.
He's younger, stronger outside of the clinch and long enough to get in and out on cue.
However, it should be noted that Cerrone has not been finished by way of strikes outside of a Pettis liver kick.
Minor Advantage: Jury
Wrestling
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With a strong grappling game and the ability to drag opponents into a clinch affair, Cerrone is one tough dude to take down.
He's demonstrated this tendency in the past, which has allowed him to have such success on the feet as of late.
But Jury has a certain drive and discipline that should enable him to secure a few takedowns along the way, should this fight roll over the 10-minute mark.
The fact that Jury would look to shoot way before Cerrone does leads you to believe that he'll have the better wrestling game come fight night.
Advantage: Jury
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Submissions
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Jury has utilized his slick, unorthodox grappling skills in the past, and its effectiveness has glowed.
But he's never faced a lethal snake like Cerrone on the ground.
With one of the very best active guards in mixed martial arts, the 31-year-old Cerrone is capable of warding off any submissions.
He also has one of the best triangle chokes you're ever going to see.
With that said, Jury is rarely outmatched on the canvas and will likely turn to his ground game should Cerrone find success with his hands early.
Advantage: Cerrone
Intangibles
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Jury's experience is certainly a downer.
His lack of such high-level exposure could even affect his longevity and attentiveness throughout this fight.
But he's displayed such class and a strong sense of self during his promotional tenure that it would be egregious to think he couldn't rise to the occasion.
However, it does affect his know-how against a fighter of Cerrone's caliber.
Blessed with timely kicks, blistering knees and a defensively sound ground game that has made him one of the toughest outs in the sport, Cerrone has looked unstoppable of late.
The young Jury just hasn't done enough thus far in the UFC to lead us to believe that he would stand victorious over The Cowboy should the going get tough.
Advantage: Cerrone
Verdict
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Jury is one of the best young talents in the UFC today.
He's crafty, wise beyond his years and still undefeated 15 fights into his professional career.
But is he ready for such a heavy pill?
Simply put, no.
Cerrone is way too dangerous on his feet and off his back to slip up against a fighter who doesn't offer one true strength.
If this bout ends any other way than with Cerrone's hand raised, it will be time to clip the pigs' wings.
Verdict: Cerrone via Unanimous Decision
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