UFC 187 takes place next week on Saturday May 23 with Anthony Johnson vs Daniel Cormier as well as Chris Weidman vs Vitor Belfort headlining what should be a massive night in UFC action.
UFC 187 takes place from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with the Early Prelims starting from 6.30 p.m. ET, the Main Prelims starting from 8 p.m. ET and the Main Card expected from 10 p.m. ET. A full fight card can be found below, and the event can be watched on TV on UFC PPV.
The main fight will see Anthony Johnson, who is 19-4 in MMA, and 10-4 in UFC, and Daniel Cormier, who is 15-1 in MMA, and 4-1 in UFC, fight it out in the big UFC match up. The bout is a massive one, as Jon Jones has left the title vacant following his arrest for an alleged hit and run offense last month.
Jones was stripped of his belt because of the legal issues, and that has become an opportunity for Cormier and Johnson to try and take the title for themselves.
Some have argued that neither fighter will be able to boast they are the true champ, as neither has won it from Jones, but others have retorted that they can only fight what is in front of them, and if they win they will be the legitimate title holder.
Meanwhile, it has been quite some time since undefeated UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has taken to the Octagon - nearly two times longer that Vitor Belfort. However, so popular are both fighters that despite their long absences, a match up between the two has really caught the imagination of UFC fight fans across the globe.
Weidman will be defending his Middleweight title for just the second time after claiming it from Anderson Silva in July 2013.
Some doubted whether these two would ever be able to get into the Octagon together. Weidman has said, "Probably at some point I was worried [the fight wouldn't occur] because there was talks of an interim title and him possibly fighting someone else. But this guy is on a three-fight winning streak; people tend to forget about that because of his long layoff. But I expect to be facing the best Vitor Belfort. I knew that at some point we were going to face each other. It was inevitable."
Meanwhile, Belfort, who is a veteran of the UFC, has said that he has been patiently waiting another chance at a world title. He has said, "I've just been training and keeping my mind focused on what I can do. I wasn't worried about what I couldn't do and I've been evolving every day. It's all about perspective [taking negative and turning it into a positive]. I'm blessed. How many guys from my era are still around?"
Here is a full UFC 187 Fight Card schedule:
UFC 187 Fight Card
Main Card (on PPV)
Anthony Johnson (19-4) vs. Daniel Cormier (15-1)
Chris Weidman (12-0) vs. Vitor Belfort (24-10)
Donald Cerrone (27-6) vs. John Makdessi (13-3)
Travis Browne (17-2-1) vs. Andrei Arlovski (23-10)
Joseph Benavidez (21-4) vs. John Moraga (16-3)
Preliminary Card (on FOX Sports 1)
John Dodson (16-6) vs. Zack Makovsky (19-5)
Dong Hyun Kim (19-3-1) vs. Josh Burkman(27-11)
Uriah Hall (10-4) vs. Rafael Natal (19-6-1)
Rose Namajunas (2-2) vs. Nina Ansaroff (6-4)
Preliminary Card (on UFC Fight Pass)
Mike Pyle (26-10-1) vs. Colby Covington (7-0)
Islam Makhachev (11-0) vs. Leo Kuntz (17-1-1)
Josh Sampo (11-4) vs. Justin Scoggins (9-2)
