UFC 214 is scheduled to take place in the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on July 29. There have been three title bouts announced thus far, and we take a brief look at each of them here.
There may be changes to the card before the event. This is a look at the matches that are scheduled as of June 30.
1) Daniel Cormier (c) vs Jon Jones – UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
This is a rematch that we have been waiting since forever for. Jon Jones beat Cormier to retain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship back in January 2015 at UFC 182. He was however, stripped of the title after his involvement in a hit-and-run incident. There were two rematches scheduled, at UFC 197 and then UFC 200, but Cormier missed the first one through injury and Jones was suspended before the second one after a failed drugs test.
This time, it remains to be seen if the fight does go through. It’s been a while since Jones has stepped into the octagon but he is arguably the greatest light heavyweight in UFC history. He holds the record for the most successful title defences in the division with 8 (all of which were consecutive), and his only loss came as a result of a disqualification back in 2009.
Cormier has a fantastic record as well though, and his only loss in the octagon was the one against Jones at UFC 182. The man from Lafayette has been itching to get his hands on the New Yorker ever since, and will be pumped for UFC 214. The betting lines favour Jones, but if you are putting money on the game the £200 UK bonus code from Bet365 is a good one to leverage while you back Cormier for a win – Jones is coming off a long time out of the Octagon, and Cormier will be more motivated than ever to win.
It’s going to be a hard-hitting battle between two contrasting styles, and it remains to be seen who comes out on top.
2) Tyron Woodley (c) vs Damien Maia – UFC Welterweight Championship
After finally seeing off Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson with a unanimous decision victory back at UFC 209, Woodley now focuses his attention to former UFC Middleweight Championship contender Demian Maia. The latter has been on a renaissance of late and has thoroughly earned his opportunity to go for the belt. The Brazilian is unbeaten in the octagon since 2014.
“The Chosen One” Woodley will know that he has his work cut out to try and avoid an upset. On the face of it, this is a fight that could have easily headlined the show. One wonders if Dana White has this in mind as a backup headliner should Jon Jones’ volatility show through once again.
Either way, Woodley vs Maia is an enticing contest that could either way. The defending champion is high on confidence and will be the favourite, but the revived and re-energised challenger is more than capable of pulling off a surprise.
3) Cristiane Justino (a.k.a. Cris Cyborg) vs Tonya Evinger – vacant UFC Featherweight Championship
Cris Cyborg will take on Tonya Evinger for the UFC Featherweight Championship, which was stripped off Germaine de Randamie for refusing to face Cyborg at this event. The Dutch fighter wasn’t willing to go toe-to-toe with the American due to the latter’s history with performance-enhancing drugs.
Evinger is the current Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion, and will be fighting her first fight in the UFC since signing in July.
Can Cormier have a career in wrestling after MMA retirement?
Daniel Cormier is known not just for his wrestling style inside the octagon, but also for being a huge fan of the WWE. The current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion is a regular at live events and is never shy from expressing his thoughts on the ongoings in Vince McMahon’s backyard.
If you’re looking for a sense of his enthusiasm over the professional wrestling business, just watch his reaction at Seth Rollins cashing in Money in the Bank to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 31. Here’s another video of him doing a Shinsuke Nakamura impression, while showing that the ringtone on his mobile phone is current NXT Champion Bobby Roode’s entrance theme. He’s a true wrestling mark!
He may not be as popular with the pro-wrestling fans as Conor McGregor or Brock Lesnar, but bringing in a legitimate fighter from the octagon to the squared circle will be a great coup for the WWE. He has also done his fair share of trash-talking in the past, and clearly understands how sports entertainment works.
He has stated Kevin Owens and Rollins to be his most preferred opponents if he ever makes the switch. Sound good to you, Vince?
