UFC 210 Betting: Is Rumble Ready to Dethrone Daniel Cormier?

(SPONSORED CONTENT) -- It’s almost hard to believe that Daniel Cormier has been the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion for almost two years. That’s because he’s only defended it once since beating Anthony Johnson for the honor at UFC 187 way back in May 2015. Of course, not all of that is his fault.

Instead some of the blame for Cormier’s inactivity rests with Jon Jones, the former champion of this division. Jones’ transgressions with the law have been well documented with extreme vigilance so I don’t need to bore you with them here.

What I will add is that Cormier owes some of his absence from the title scene to his own mess of injuries. He was scheduled to face Jon Jones at UFC 197 in April of last year but withdrew due to injury. A rematch with Rumble Johnson was also on the books for December 2016, but Cormier had to reschedule again due to an undisclosed ailment.

The only fight that Cormier has had recently was the last-minute bout with Anderson Silva from UFC 200, which the champ won via unanimous decision. It wasn’t anything worth writing home about.

UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT
Daniel Cormier (Champion) over Anthony Johnson

Saturday, April 8 --- KeyBank Center, Buffalo

UFC 210 Betting Odds – Cormier -112 / Johnson -108

So now we return to this strange three-way between Rumble, Bones and Cormier at the top of the UFC light heavyweight division. Cormier’s only loss during a stellar 18-1 run is to Jon Jones, and his only title defense was a harrowing split decision with Alexander Gustafsson. And that itself speaks to the decision you should probably make for UFC 210 betting purposes.

Cormier simply doesn’t lose. In dogfights, he always has that little extra to push him through. He is a world-class grappler who can survive an unceremonious beating. In fact, Rumble Johnson is the only man to have knocked Cormier off his blocks with a punch. That’s how powerful Rumble is.

And even when Johnson landed one of his trademark shots, Cormier was able to rally. That’s the resiliency of the reigning champion. Johnson has strung together a trio of knockouts over Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira, none of whom have tested him on the ground the way Cormier did in overwhelming fashion.

But this is also why Johnson’s odds in UFC 210 betting are dead even with Cormier’s. That puncher’s chance always exists and with Johnson, it’s a very real element. His last five wins have all come thanks to his knuckles.

How you play the numbers at UFC 210 depend on what you prefer. Either you’re buying in to the thick skull of Daniel Cormier and his wrestling tact, or you feel like Rumble can find a way to finish this fight with a furious flurry of fists.

Historically I have not backed Cormier the way he deserves but I’m leaning his way for the simple fact that I believe he’s impossible to finish. He’s too big on the ground and far too durable on his feet. I love Rumble Johnson. His odds reflect his talent, but Cormier is the logical take given his fight history.

Alexander Gustaffson and Glover Texiera are engaged to meet at a UFC Fight Night on May 28th to determine a number-one contender for the title. I should remind you, however, that Jones is now off probation with the UFC and his return is inching ever closer…

A light heavyweight division that hasn’t had a title defence in 18 months is about to get a lot more interesting, starting this Saturday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

UFC 210 Betting Pick – Daniel Cormier -112