UFC 182: Start Time, Prelim Live Stream Info and Full Fight Card Predictions
The new year is just three days old, but it's probably safe to say UFC 182 will be one of the most anticipated MMA events in 2015.
Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier is the obvious headliner. The former, the light heavyweight champ who is considered by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. The latter, an undefeated monster with the talent to change the hierarchy of the division. Two heated rivals with bad blood between them.
Bleacher Report's Jeremy Botter put it simply:
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Of course, the rest of the card isn't so bad, either. Donald Cerrone vs. Myles Jury is a compelling co-main event, Hector Lombard may be fighting for a shot at Rory MacDonald and there are several other fights that should be very entertaining.
Let's take a look at everything you need to know.
UFC 182 Schedule, Viewing Info
| Preliminary | 7 p.m. | None | UFC Fight Pass |
| Preliminary | 8 p.m. | FOX Sports 1 | FOX Sports Go |
| Main | 10 p.m. | HBO | See link below |
Note: Check here for all the ways to watch, via UFC.com
UFC 182 Predictions
| Jon Jones (c) vs. Daniel Cormier | Light Heavyweight | Jones |
| Donald Cerrone vs. Myles Jury | Lightweight | Cerrone |
| Brad Tavares vs. Nate Marquardt | Middleweight | Tavares |
| Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Louis Gaudinot | Flyweight | Horiguchi |
| Hector Lombard vs. Josh Burkman | Welterweight | Lombard |
| Danny Castillo vs. Paul Felder | Lightweight | Castillo |
| Marcus Brimage vs. Cody Garbrandt | Bantamweight | Brimage |
| Shawn Jordan vs. Jared Cannonier | Heavyweight | Jordan |
| Evan Dunham vs. Rodrigo Damm | Lightweight | Dunham |
| Omari Akhmedov vs. Mats Nilsson | Welterweight | Akhmedov |
| Alexis Dufresne vs. Marion Reneau | Women's Bantamweight | Dufresne |
Main Event Preview
A case could easily be made for either Jones or DC, as both are extremely versatile and can win in a variety of ways.
With the champ, it's all about his length. He has a historic 12-inch reach advantage over the challenger, and as he has done with so many other opponents, he could potentially use that to create separation, avoid takedowns and slowly pick apart Cormier with jabs and kicks.
However, there is much more than just his rare blend of size and athletic ability. If he wants, Jones doesn't mind taking the fight to the canvas. And he plans on doing exactly that against Cormier on Saturday night, via MMA Fighting's Shaun Al-Shatti:
"I will try to wrestle Daniel Cormier. I definitely plan on making him work extremely hard for any takedowns he's going for, and I'm definitely going to be looking for takedowns myself. I'm more than capable of taking him down, and I believe in my top game. So I'll definitely look to attack Daniel at his strengths, and weaknesses.
"
Considering Cormier's wrestling prowess, that's a dangerous proposition. DC is a former Olympic wrestler who won bronze at the 2007 World Championships and gold at the 2003 Pan American Games. He is a physical specimen, and many will remember his last performance when he threw Dan Henderson around the Octagon like a rag doll at UFC 173 in May.
Even against a fighter of Jones' caliber, Cormier has the immense talent and strength to win a round or two.
Ultimately, though, the champ is too long, too intelligent, too creative and too athletic. He'll once again walk away from the Octagon with the belt over his shoulder.
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