There’s no word on an official date for Jon Jones-Daniel Cormier 2, but the championship fight is currently being targeted for early-mid 2016.
However, because the fight is already generating serious hype, early money lines are now available in our sportsbook - despite the fact the bout has yet to be booked. Care to guess who the favorite is?
UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Jon Jones -305
Daniel Cormier +235
Over/under 4.5 rounds, over -160, under +120
ODDS ANALYSIS
While it may seem like Jones has been out of the picture for a while, it’s only been about a year since he last fought. Major injuries have kept fighters out of the octagon for longer periods. And the fact that Jones is still in his athletic prime at 28 has oddsmakers setting lines as if he’s never been gone. I expect Jones only to get more expensive.
GAME OF BONES
Even when Jon Jones was out of the picture due to suspension, his shadow loomed large over the light heavyweight division. The former champion had dominated the weight class in a way never before seen, rising to become the consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on nearly every major MMA publication.
Everything that happened in Jones’ void comes with an asterisk. Cormier won and defended the title, but nobody believes he’s a true champion until beat the man that never lost the belt in competition. What’s more, Jones is the only man to have ever bested Cormier in 18 career fights.
In many regards, this fight is now bigger than it could have ever been. Jones has to win back the belt against an old rival. He also has to prove that his personal troubles - which had mounted at a frightening pace - are behind him. Nobody, in terms of physical prowess and skill, matches up with Jones. But he’s shown that his greatest enemy is himself.
For Cormier, it’s an opportunity to finally free himself of the shackles that Jones has put him in. Should he beat Bones, no longer can anyone say that Cormier is a paper champion. Anyone who knows the former Olympian is aware of his insane competitive drive, and dethroning one of the greatest MMA fighters in the sport’s history would cement his legacy forever.
THE SMART PLAYS
Considering that Jones thoroughly outclassed Cormier in their first go-round, it’s hard to see the outcome being any different this time around. DC simply had no answers for Jones height and length, and while Cormier was able to steal a round or two, Bones easily pulled away at the end.
Cormier is also 36 years old and coming off the most brutal fight of his career. He fought three times in 2015, putting a lot of miles on an aging body. While Cormier has shown zero signs of decline, Jones is the younger, fresher fighter. It’s highly unlikely that Jones has lost anything during his time off. From all reports, he’s maintained his training regimen and even helped his teammates prepare for upcoming fights.
Picking Jones to win is an easy bet. But I think the real money is on the over/under. While Cormier was tough enough to make it to a decision in their first match, I think Jones will want to prove a point. An aggressive Jones can finish anyone in the division, and the fact that the over/under is 4.5 rounds - with a positive payout on the under - is a gift that anyone should consider.
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier odds can currently be found in the Future Events section of our UFC sportsbook. Once an official date and location for the match has been set, we’ll update our odds for the card.
