MMA ODDS AND ENDS FOR TUESDAY: JONES INJURED, BOUT WITH CORMIER PUSHED TO JANUARY
It appears UFC 178 simply isn’t meant to be the blockbuster event everybody had it pegged as since way back in March, when Alexander Gustafsson reclaimed his #1 competitor’s slot with a success over Jimi Manuwa. Few saw Jon Jones’ April title defense against Glover Teixeira as more than a mere detour on the road to Jones/Gustafsson two, along with the masses were correct. Even though it took some time to decide on a particular date and venue, the bout was highly anticipated whenever and where it would occur. Then, all of a sudden, Alexander Gustafsson was made to drop out of this fight with a torn meniscus. No issue, in stepped Daniel Cormier to take his position and the MMA planet was even more excited. Then the infamous media day brawl took place, and UFC 178 became a must-watch event for more than just the MMA community. It had the kind of buzz that number of UFC events garner, and likely would have been the largest grossing light heavyweight bout because Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans back at UFC 114. Of course, things rarely ever go to plan in MMA, as well as the backup plans fall through sometimes. Jon Jones announced yesterday that he also was injured in training and forced from UFC 178. The company has rescheduled Jones and Cormier to headline UFC 182 in January, where they will probably share the card with Ronda Rousey at a yearlong (or beginning ) card which hearkens back to the times of piled events around the New Year. The only problem with all of this however, is that it was supposed to function as Alexander Gustafsson’s battle all together, and by January he will probably be ready to go. Will the UFC really forego what might be another classic involving Jones and Gustafsson for the dollar signs seemingly evident for Jones and Cormier? It will be interesting to see how this plays out during the next few months, but early indications are that the Swede will wind up a very unhappy camper. Of course in MMA news when it rains, it pours, and it was a busy day beyond the Jones injury. UFC 177 and flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson believed the domino effect from the injury, as his title defense against Chris Cariaso will be moving to the main event of UFC 178. Understanding that fans will be frustrated with all the shift, Johnson tweeted (tongue-in-cheek),”Bad: you’ll have to wait a little more time to see me triumph again. Great: I’m the newest UFC 178 headliner. Bout time that card receives a real principal event.” To complete UFC 177, the company has gathered a bout between a set of highly touted champions from the regional circuit. Former Bellator and Tachi Palace Fights champion Joe Soto will compete just three weeks after his most recent bout, and he will be carrying on former MFC winner Anthony Birchak in a few of the better conflicts between UFC newcomers that has been made in 2014. The bantamweights will likely complete a place on the UFC Fight Pass prelims. Soto’s old marketing also announced a pair of spells yesterday, as heavy hitters Doug Marshall and Melvin Manhoef will headline Bellator 125 on September 19th. While this bout is of almost zero significance in any kind of divisional rankings, it should be violent and fun for however long it lasts. Following in precisely the same mold is the co-main event on the card comprising Brian Rogers and James Irvin, just two of the guys discovered on any highlight reel of flying in MMA history. Betting lines will likely lean towards Manhoef and Rogers in their various bouts, as they are the talented strikers in what should be exclusively striking contests. A pair of AXS TV promotions announced upcoming bouts as well, with Legacy FC 37 being headlined by two of its former champions, Leonard Garcia and Daniel Pineda. Garcia simply lost his featherweight belt to Damon Jackson in Legacy FC 33, and Pineda — a former lightweight and featherweight champ from the advertising — was just re-signed after being cut out of the UFC. It is quite likely that Jackson is going to be signed to the UFC before this bout takes place on November 14th, and if that’s the case this could determine a new champion as well. After Garcia’s quick loss in his final outing, anticipate the public to favor Pineda, and he will probably open as a slight favorite. RFA continues their tour around the Western United States as RFA 18 Occurs at Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 12th. The event will be headlined by flyweight champion Matt Manzanares defends his belt against undefeated Albuquerque native Joby Sanchez. Sanchez just knocked off Antonio Banuelos last week at Tachi Palace Fights 20, and will probably be carrying this bout on just over a month’s notice. This line must be close, however, the public may push it slightly towards Manzanares because he’s the well-known of both.
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