Check out our full “Fight Day” preview for UFC 187: “Johnson vs Cormier,” which takes place tonight (Sat., May 23, 2015) live on pay-per-view (PPV) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada featuring both the light heavyweight and middleweight championship fights.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brass will put on the year’s most stacked pay-per-view (PPV) offering tonight (Sat., April 25, 2015) in Las Vegas, Nevada as the MGM Grand Garden Arena plays host to the UFC 187 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, highlighted by title fights in both the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions.
Catch all the action LIVE with a PPV main card start time of 10 p.m. ET (for up-to-date UFC 187 results click here).
Below is everything you need to know to stay on top of the PPV event in “Sin City.”
Who: Anthony Johnson vs Daniel Cormier; Chris Weidman vs Vitor Belfort
What: UFC 187
When: Sat., May 23, 2015, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET on Fight Pass
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
How To Watch: Main card at 10 p.m ET on PPV; FOX Sports 1 “Prelims” under card at 8 p.m ET; and UFC Fight Pass early “Prelims” at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Live UFC 187 results: Play-by-play coverage stream right here
Why It Matters: For MMA fans that have become accustomed to complaining about UFC’s busy schedule and watered-down events, UFC 187 is a refreshingly stacked PPV that is an absolute must watch for even casual fight fans. With two titles on the line — including the beginning of a new era in the light heavyweight division — as well as a slew of “name” fighters as the supporting cast both on the “Prelims” and PPV main card, UFC 187 is going to be a treat to watch, and will drastically change the landscape of several divisions.
What’s Hot: Title fights. Not only will Chris Weidman finally throw down against Vitor Belfort for the middleweight strap in the evening’s co-main event, but fight fans will also be treated to a brand new 205-pound kingpin once Anthony Johnson and Daniel Cormier settle the score in the main event! What more could you possibly ask for?
What’s Not: There is no “What’s Not” at UFC 187, besides for the glaring omission of former UFC champ Jon Jones. After “Bones” was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm, arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history was stripped of his belt and pulled from his scheduled title defense against Anthony Johnson.
Original Card vs Actual Card:
Although several fights have been changed since the initial UFC 187 reveal, the card is still exceptional as a whole.
As I previously mentioned, former UFC champ Jon Jones was set to defend the 205-pound strap against Anthony Johnson in the main event of the evening, but after being stripped of his title, Daniel Cormier was called to the plate for a short notice title shot.
Khabib Nurmagomedov was set to make his highly anticipated return in a No. 1 contender’s bout against Donald Cerrone, but another knee injury for “The Eagle” forced the Sambo champ off the card. UFC brass gave John Makdessi the opportunity to face off against “Cowboy” on short notice.
The final change was a minor one, with Sean Spencer pulling out of his scheduled bout against Mike Pyle. “Quicksand” will now face surging prospect Colby Covington on the “Prelims” portion of the card.
New Blood:
Leo Kuntz vs Islam Makhachev: 155 pound prospects will make their UFC debut opposite one another on the UFC 187 “Prelims.” Kuntz is an American Top Team (ATT) product boasting a 17-1 record with seven (technical) knockouts and five submission victories. Makhachev is yet another undefeated Dagestani import, earning an 11-0 record with five submissions and two (technical) knockout victories.
How The “Prelims” Look: Outstanding.
The UFC 187 “Prelims” could very well outperform several UFC Fight Night cards that have occurred over the last year or so.
Even before the hotly anticipated return of John Dodson — who takes on Zach Makovsky in the main event of the “Prelims” — fight fans will be treated to the violence of Uriah Hall, former No. 1 women’s strawweight contender Rose Namajunas, Dong Hyun Kim vs Josh Burkman, and a whole lot more.
Of all the events thus far in 2015, UFC 187 is easily the card to watch from beginning to end.
Every fight has an intriguing storyline, top-notch prospect, or savvy veteran to get excited for.
Who Needs A Win Badly: This portion is reserved for fighters who could be fighting for their jobs today, rather than contenders or title challengers needing victory. Let’s take a look at those who need to pull it together:
Justin Scoggins and Josh Sampo: Two exciting flyweights open up the UFC 187 card on UFC Fight Pass, and either man could be sent packing with a loss in “Sin City.” Both Scoggins and Sampo are on two fight losing streaks, with both men getting finished via submission in their last outings. While there is no guarantee the loser of this fight will earn a pink slip on Monday morning, these two need to bring it big time tonight in order to keep their jobs secure.
Interest Level: 10/10
UFC 187 absolutely deserves the 10/10, even with the loss of Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
In no specific order, just reflect on the names that are fighting tonight:
Anthony Johnson, Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman, Vitor Belfort, Donald Cerrone, Joseph Benavidez, Travis Browne, Andrei Arlovski, John Dodson, Uriah Hall, Dong Hyun Kim, Rose Namajunas, and more!
Two title fights, potential No. 1 contender fights in the flyweight and lightweight divisions, and several prospects to get excited about.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, because UFC 187 is going to be a night to remember fight fans!
Check out the full UFC 187 card right here:
UFC 187 PPV Main Event:
205 lbs.: Anthony Johnson vs. Daniel Cormier for vacant light heavyweight title
UFC 187 PPV Co-Main Event:
185 lbs.: UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort
UFC 187 PPV Undercard (10 p.m. ET):
155 lbs.: Donald Cerrone vs. John Makdessi
265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski vs. Travis Browne
125 lbs.: Joseph Benavidez vs. John MoragaUFC 187 FOX Sports 1 “Prelims” (8 p.m. ET):
125 lbs.: John Dodson vs. Zach Makovsky
170 lbs.: Josh Burkman vs. Dong Hyun Kim
185 lbs.: Uriah Hall vs. Rafael Natal
115 lbs.: Rose Namajunas vs. Nina AnsaroffUFC 187 Fight Pass “Prelims” (6:30 p.m. ET):
170 lbs.: Mike Pyle vs. Colby Covington
155 lbs.: Leo Kuntz vs. Islam Makhachev
125 lbs.: Josh Sampo vs. Justin Scoggins
See you then!
Source: MMA Mania
