The UFC kicks off its 2015 calendar with one of the biggest events of the year as Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier finally lock horns for the light heavyweight title at UFC 182 on Saturday.
TSN's coverage begins with COUNTDOWN TO UFC 182: JONES VS. CORMIER at 7pm et/4pm pt on TSN4 and TSN5. The countdown show leads into two hours of UFC 182 preliminary fight coverage at 8pm et/5pm pt.
Until then, here are TSN.ca's picks for the event that appropriately sets the tone for one of the most anticipated years in the organization's history.
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MAIN CARD:
Jon Jones (20-1) vs. Daniel Cormier (15-0) – Light-Heavyweight Championship
Andrew Robichaud, TSN.ca
Jones - The reigning light-heavyweight champ and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world has beaten everyone and anything in his path en route to the belt and beyond. Until someone can prove otherwise, he is the best of the best.
Cormier - If anyone can knock Jones off his perch it is the undefeated Cormier. The former Olympic wrestler has manhandled his competition in two divisions and has barely scratched the surface of his light-heavyweight career.
PICK: Jones via unanimous decision
Ken Rodney, TSN.ca
Jones - The light-heavyweight champion creates such a length and height mismatch with almost everyone he gets into the Octagon with, that before you even start talking about his incredible fight skills, it already seems like too much to overcome. He also, for the record, has those incredible skills and has proven it by becoming one of the most dominant champions in UFC history.
Cormier – Undefeated and tough as nails, Cormier has an Olympic level wrestling background and being a former heavyweight has faced bigger guys before. Very simply, the closer Cormier can get to Jones, the closer this fight will be in the end.
PICK: Jones via unanimous decision
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Robichaud
Donald Cerrone (25-6, 1NC) vs. Myles Jury (15-0)
Cerrone - The resurgent Cowboy is on a five-fight win streak and was easily one of the most successful and exciting competitors in 2014. Despite already proving he deserves a shot at the lightweight crown, a win over Jury could seal his fate.
Jury - The unbeaten 26-year-old is way past matchups against the lower half of the lightweight division but has yet to defeat top-tier talent at 155 pounds. The title conversation is a crowded one, but Jury's record can't be ignored much longer.
PICK: Cerrone via unanimous decision
Rodney
Cerrone – The Cowboy has looked better than ever putting together his winning streak and his last victory over Eddie Alvarez put all of his weapons on display as he kneed, kicked and brawled his way to victory.
Jury – Under the radar no more, Jury looked impressive earning a quick knockout in his last fight to keep his record unblemished. If he can continue to put pressure on his opponent and score takedowns he could see his arm raised in victory.
PICK: Jury via unanimous decision
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Brad Tavares (12-3) vs. Nate Marquardt (33-13-2)
Robichaud
Tavares - The shine has temporarily faded from the promising middleweight after consecutive losses. It's not necessarily make-or-break time for Tavares, but it's getting pretty close if he wants to be taken seriously as a title contender.
Marquardt - It's been a rough road for the former Strikeforce welterweight champion. After three straight losses in 2013, Marquardt rebounded - slightly - for a win in his only bout in 2014. This is make-or-break time for the veteran.
PICK: Tavares via TKO
Rodney
Tavares - The 27-year-old hasn't tasted victory in almost a year, dropping two fights, including being stopped for the first time in his MMA career. He'll need an impressive victory to start rebuilding his case towards being a top middleweight.
Marquardt – Back in the middleweight division, a victory over James Te Huna snapped a three fight losing streak of his own.
PICK: Tavares via unanimous decision
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Kyoji Horiguchi (14-1) vs. Louis Gaudinot (6-3, 1NC)
Robichaud
Horiguchi - Three wins in three UFC fights has vaulted Horiguchi into the No. 11 slot in the flyweight rankings. This isn't his toughest bout on paper, but it could go a long way for an ever-growing reputation.
Gaudinot - The Ultimate Fighter competitor has been nothing short of disappointing since his UFC debut. Two losses and a failed drug test in four bouts means the leash is short for the New York native.
PICK: Horiguchi via TKO
Rodney
Horiguchi - A fighter on the way up, three fights since joining the UFC all fairly impressive victories. Horiguchi has the power to bring this fight to a sudden finish.
Gaudinot – The 30-year-old needs to stop the negative momentum of his career after failing a drug test and failing to win his prior fight. In tough, but needs a victory in this bout.
PICK: Horiguchi via TKO
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Hector Lombard (34-3-1, 1NC) vs. Josh Burkman (27-10)
Robichaud
Lombard - The UFC has proved a different challenge for the former Bellator star. However, when Lombard wins he does so quite convincingly. The welterweight division will be on high alert if he can find a little consistency.
Burkman - The veteran hasn't seen the inside of the UFC Octagon since 2008 and he may have picked a terrible time to return - based on the guy who will be standing opposite him. But who knows, miracles do happen.
PICK: Lombard via unanimous decision
Rodney
Lombard – Looking for this third straight victory at welterweight, Lombard has been good for a very long time with only impressive wins and split decision losses on his recent ledger. The knockout blow is always in play.
Burkman – Fighting in the UFC for the first time since UFC 90, Burkman is going to be in tough in this bout. Did find a measure of success in World Series of Fighting and hopefully that will translate in this fight.
PICK: Lombard via TKO
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PRELIMINARY CARD:
Danny Castillo (17-7) vs. Paul Felder (9-0)
Robichaud: Felder via unanimous decision
Rodney: Castillo via decision
Marcus Brimage (7-3) vs. Cody Garbrandt (5-0)
Robichaud: Garbrandt via TKO
Rodney: Brimage via decision
Shawn Jordan (16-6) vs. Jared Cannonier (7-0)
Robichaud: Cannonier via TKO
Rodney: Jordan via TKO
Evan Dunham (14-6) vs. Rodrigo Damm (12-8)
Robichaud: Dunham via split decision
Rodney: Dunham via decision
EARLY PRELIMINARIES:
Omari Akhmedov (13-2) vs. Mats Nilsson (11-3-1)
Robichaud: Akhmedov via submission
Rodney: Akhmedov via decision
Alexis Dufresne (5-1) vs. Marion Reneau (4-1)
Robichaud: Reneau via unanimous decision
Rodney: Reneau via decision