UFC 200 – OPINION: Corey Anderson To Replace Jon Jones
UFC 200 – OPINION: Corey Anderson To Replace Jon Jones
UFC president, Dana White, announced late Wednesday night Jon Jones has been removed from the UFC 200 main event. The former light heavyweight champion tested positive for a possible anti-doping violation. As a result, this leaves the current light heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier opponent less at UFC 200.
The co-main event between Mark Hunt and Brock Lesnar is now moved up to the main event. After announcing Hunt vs. Lesnar is now the new main event, White mentioned Cormier does not have an opponent, and they have no one in mind standing by to jump inside the cage with the current champion.
The first fighter that came to my mind to replace Jones was Corey Anderson. People could make the argument that Anderson won his last bout in Brazil against Shogun Rua. Anderson’s loss to Rua resulted in only his second defeat in his 11 professional fights.
Corey Anderson brings a similar feel to Jon Jones inside the cage. Standing at 6’3″ tall, Anderson finds himself only an inch shorter than the former champion and his reach of 79 inches, slightly shorter than Jones’ 84-inch reach.
Anderson’s weight clearly would be a factor. If he could cut 15-pounds (depending on his actual weight he’s walking around at) in realistically a day and a half, He’s a legit contender for the title. Anderson is 5-2 in the UFC, including his TUF title fight.
The Ultimate Fighter season 19 winner comes from a strong wrestling background. He isn’t an Olympic caliber wrestler, but he would enter the cage with a strong grapplers presence. He’s a NCAA Division III all-American. Anderson is a grinder inside the cage and uses his reach, in addition to his solid footwork to his advantage.
Dana White is all about giving opportunities to fighters and this would be a great opportunity for a fighter that has a strong following in the Chicago-Milwaukee region, plus New Jersey. Hailing from Chicago and briefly training in Milwaukee at Roufusport, Anderson fought in front of loyal fans. Now, he trains with Frankie Edgar in New Jersey.
Anderson is a large light heavyweight fighter. We all know size doesn’t matter, especially when it comes to the UFC champion, Dan Cormier, but it’s MMA, anything can happen inside the cage.
It’s a match-up all fans should be screaming for!
