UFC 182
UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on January 3, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] The event featured 11 bouts across the main card, preliminary card, and prelims, drawing an attendance of 11,575 and generating a live gate of $3.7 million.[2] The card was headlined by a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout between long-reigning champion Jon Jones and undefeated challenger Daniel Cormier, an Olympic wrestling medalist making his promotional debut after winning the Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship.[3] Their matchup originated from a heated rivalry that escalated into a physical brawl during a UFC 178 promotional press conference in August 2014, after the original fight was postponed due to Jones' injury.[4] Jones retained his title via unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, 49–46) after a competitive five-round war marked by Jones' striking volume and Cormier's grappling attempts.[5] In the co-main event, lightweight contender Donald Cerrone earned a unanimous decision victory (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) over Myles Jury in a three-round bout that showcased Cerrone's relentless pressure.[6] Other key results included middleweight Brad Tavares defeating Nate Marquardt by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27), flyweight Kyoji Horiguchi defeating Louis Gaudinot by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27), and bantamweight prospect Cody Garbrandt securing a knockout win over Marcus Brimage in the third round.[3] The event also featured strong preliminary performances, such as lightweight Paul Felder's second-round TKO of Danny Castillo with a spinning backfist and punches.[5]Event Information
Date, Location, and Attendance
UFC 182 took place on January 3, 2015.[1][7] The event was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, a prominent venue on the Las Vegas Strip known for hosting major combat sports spectacles.[1] The arena has a seating capacity of approximately 17,000 and has been a staple location for UFC events since the early 2000s, including numerous pay-per-view headliners.[8] The event drew 11,575 paid attendees, generating a live gate revenue of $3.7 million, as announced by UFC President Dana White following the fights.[2] These figures reflected a solid turnout for a post-New Year's Eve card at the venue, though below the arena's full capacity.Promotion and Broadcasting
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) built anticipation for UFC 182 through an extensive promotional campaign that included multiple press conferences and media events in the weeks leading up to the event. A key pre-fight media conference call on December 29, 2014, featured light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger Daniel Cormier fielding questions from reporters, highlighting their personal animosity and the high stakes of the title bout. The campaign also featured UFC-produced trailers and extended preview videos distributed across the promotion's digital platforms and social media to showcase the intensity of the matchup. Broadcasting for UFC 182 in the United States followed the standard format for major UFC pay-per-view (PPV) events at the time, with the main card airing live on PPV starting at 10:00 p.m. ET, the preliminary card on Fox Sports 1 from 8:00 p.m. ET, and early prelims streaming exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. This multi-tiered distribution leveraged UFC's ongoing partnership with Fox Sports, established in a 2011 multi-year deal that designated Fox networks, including Fox Sports 1, for preliminary coverage of numbered events to broaden audience reach beyond PPV subscribers.[9] The event achieved significant commercial success, with reported PPV buys estimated at approximately 750,000, making it one of the top-selling UFC cards since late 2013 and underscoring the promotional emphasis on the main event rivalry.[10]Background
Scheduling and Rescheduling
The bout between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger Daniel Cormier was initially scheduled as the main event for UFC 178 on September 27, 2014, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, following an injury to Jones' original opponent, Alexander Gustafsson, with the matchup announced on July 23, 2014.[11][12] However, on August 12, 2014, Jones withdrew due to a torn patellar tendon sustained during training, which required surgery, leading to the postponement of UFC 178's main event and the addition of a flyweight title fight between Demetrious Johnson and Chris Cariaso in its place.[13][14] The Jones-Cormier fight was promptly rescheduled as the headline attraction for UFC 182 on January 3, 2015, at the same venue, with the new date announced on the day of Jones' injury withdrawal.[13] This shift created a four-month delay, allowing additional time for both fighters to recover and prepare, which further intensified public interest in their heated rivalry. On October 22, 2014, UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano was confirmed as the co-main event for UFC 182, positioning it as a major pay-per-view draw.[15] However, the Rousey-Zingano bout was relocated just one week later, on October 29, 2014, to headline UFC 184 on February 28, 2015, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as part of broader card adjustments to balance the promotion's event lineup following the earlier disruptions.[16][17] This rescheduling ensured UFC 182 focused primarily on the light heavyweight title clash while providing Rousey a dedicated spotlight event shortly thereafter.Main Event Buildup
Jon Jones entered UFC 182 as the defending UFC Light Heavyweight Champion with a professional record of 20-1, having held the title since March 2011 and successfully defended it six times, the most in divisional history at the time.[18] His only loss came via disqualification against Matt Hamill in 2009 due to illegal elbows. Jones, known for his unorthodox striking range and grappling prowess, was ranked No. 1 in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings at the time.[19] Challenging for the title was Daniel Cormier, an Olympic wrestler who competed in the 2004 Athens Games and earned a bronze medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2008 World Championships, transitioning to MMA after a successful career in Strikeforce where he won the heavyweight title. Cormier entered the bout undefeated at 15-0 professionally, with his two UFC wins coming against Dan Henderson at UFC 173 and Frank Mir in a short-notice heavyweight bout at UFC 180, positioning him as the No. 2 ranked light heavyweight.[20][19][21] The rivalry between Jones and Cormier ignited during promotional events for their originally scheduled bout at UFC 178 in September 2014, escalating into one of the most intense feuds in UFC history. Tensions boiled over on August 4, 2014, at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas during a media day staredown, where Jones pressed his forehead against Cormier's, prompting Cormier to shove him; Jones responded by grabbing Cormier's throat and throwing punches, leading to a chaotic brawl that spilled off the stage and nearly into a fountain. Security intervened to separate them, with no serious injuries reported, though the incident drew widespread condemnation from UFC officials.[4] The Nevada State Athletic Commission later fined Jones $50,000 for his role, while clearing Cormier of any penalty.[22] The brawl amplified the personal animosity, with both fighters unapologetic in subsequent interviews. Jones stated, "I’ve been in many staredowns and I’ve never had my throat grabbed... I had to stand my ground and let him know that I won’t put up with nonsense like that," insisting he would react the same way again.[23] Cormier countered, "If he were to do that again... I would have probably smacked him upside his head instead of just pushing him away from me," emphasizing his surprise at Jones initiating physical contact during a routine staredown.[23] Trash talk intensified across press conferences and media appearances, with Jones mocking Cormier's height and wrestling pedigree, calling him a "short, bald-headed man" unfit to dethrone him, while Cormier labeled Jones a "fake champion" whose off-octagon issues undermined his legitimacy. A hot-mic moment during an ESPN interview captured Jones whispering threats to Cormier, saying, "Do you want to do this outside? I'll f*** you up," further fueling the narrative of irreconcilable hatred.[4] Leading into UFC 182, the weigh-in on January 2, 2015, at the MGM Grand reflected the simmering tension without erupting into violence. Both fighters made weight at 205 pounds for the championship bout, but during the traditional face-off, Jones turned to address the crowd and toss T-shirts, prompting Cormier to turn his back in response, avoiding direct eye contact altogether. This silent standoff underscored the depth of their disdain, as neither acknowledged the other, heightening anticipation for their long-delayed clash.[24] The stakes could not have been higher, with Jones aiming to extend his record-breaking title reign and cement his status as the undisputed pound-for-pound king, while a victory for Cormier would mark his first world title in MMA and propel him into the elite tier of all-time greats. The bout represented a generational clash between Jones's elite striking and reach advantages against Cormier's world-class wrestling and heavyweight power, with the winner poised to dominate discussions on the sport's top rankings for years.[19]Undercard Storylines
The co-main event of UFC 182 featured a lightweight clash between veteran Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and undefeated prospect Myles Jury, pitting Cerrone's extensive experience against Jury's rapid ascent in the division.[25] Jury, entering with a perfect 15-0 record, had emerged as a quiet but dominant force since debuting in the UFC after an ACL injury derailed his Ultimate Fighter Season 13 campaign; he secured six Octagon victories, including a quick finish of Takanori Gomi, positioning him as a top contender seeking to prove himself on a major stage.[26][27] In contrast, Cerrone, a battle-tested lightweight with multiple wins in 2014, aimed to solidify his status as a perennial threat while handing Jury his first professional loss.[28] This matchup, long rumored but finalized just weeks before the event, added intrigue to the card by contrasting Jury's methodical grappling with Cerrone's aggressive striking and durability.[29] Other notable undercard bouts included a middleweight contest between Brad Tavares and Nate Marquardt, as well as a welterweight showdown featuring Héctor Lombard against Josh Burkman. Tavares, coming off a two-fight skid, sought to rebound against Marquardt, a seasoned veteran returning to the 185-pound division after competing at welterweight.[30][31] Marquardt, with a wealth of experience including former Strikeforce title credentials, aimed to reestablish momentum in his natural weight class.[32] Meanwhile, Lombard's bout with Burkman highlighted Burkman's return to the UFC after over six years away, having gone 9-2 in other promotions like WSOF since his 2008 departure; the 33-year-old welterweight, re-signed by the promotion, faced the powerful Lombard in a test of his evolved skills against a top-ranked striker.[33][34] The undercard fights were announced progressively throughout October 2014, building the event's depth alongside the rescheduled main event. The Cerrone-Jury co-main was confirmed on October 29, following earlier rumors of a January matchup.[25] Tavares versus Marquardt was added on October 24, slotting into the preliminary card.[30] Burkman's re-signing and pairing with Lombard came earliest, on October 3, marking his Octagon comeback.[35] These announcements filled out a stacked lineup that complemented the main event's star power by showcasing established talents and promising returns. No significant injuries or last-minute swaps affected the undercard, allowing the originally planned matchups to proceed as scheduled.[36]Fight Card and Results
Main Card Results
The main card of UFC 182 took place on January 3, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and consisted of four bouts broadcast on pay-per-view.[1] In the headline light heavyweight championship fight, Jon Jones defended his title against Daniel Cormier, winning by unanimous decision after five rounds with judges' scorecards reading 49-46 across all three.[3] The bout was marked by Jones' use of elbows and kicks to control distance, while Cormier pressed forward aggressively but was unable to secure a finish. The co-main event saw Donald Cerrone defeat Myles Jury by unanimous decision in a three-round lightweight contest, with all judges scoring it 30-27.[3] Cerrone utilized his striking volume and leg kicks to outpoint Jury, who struggled to implement his grappling.[6] Brad Tavares earned a unanimous decision victory over Nate Marquardt in the middleweight opener of the main card, with scorecards of 30-27 from each judge after three rounds.[3] Tavares countered Marquardt's power with precise boxing and takedown defense to secure the win.[37] In the flyweight bout, Kyoji Horiguchi defeated Louis Gaudinot by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds.[1] Horiguchi dominated with superior striking volume and movement, outlanding Gaudinot while defending takedowns effectively.[38]Preliminary Card Results
The preliminary card for UFC 182 featured seven bouts across lightweight, bantamweight, heavyweight, welterweight, and women's bantamweight divisions, broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass, showcasing a mix of knockouts and decisions that highlighted emerging talents and veteran performances.Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass)
These opening fights set the tone with dominant decision victories, emphasizing grappling control and striking volume.| Fighter vs. Fighter | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round | Time | Score (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Reneau vs. Alexis Dufresne | Catchweight (138 lb) | Reneau def. Dufresne | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | 30-25, 30-26, 30-26 |
| Omari Akhmedov vs. Mats Nilsson | Welterweight | Akhmedov def. Nilsson | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 |
| Evan Dunham vs. Rodrigo Damm | Lightweight | Dunham def. Damm | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 |
Prelims (Fox Sports 1)
The main preliminary bouts delivered high-impact finishes, including two Performance of the Night bonuses for their decisive knockouts.| Fighter vs. Fighter | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Felder vs. Danny Castillo | Lightweight | Felder def. Castillo | KO (Spinning Back Fist) | 2 | 2:09 |
| Cody Garbrandt vs. Marcus Brimage | Bantamweight | Garbrandt def. Brimage | TKO (Punches) | 3 | 4:50 |
| Shawn Jordan vs. Jared Cannonier | Heavyweight | Jordan def. Cannonier | KO (Punches) | 1 | 2:57 |
| Héctor Lombard vs. Josh Burkman | Welterweight | No Contest (overturned) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Post-Event Details
Bonus Awards
At UFC 182, the promotion awarded its standard post-fight bonuses to recognize exceptional performances, with a total of $200,000 distributed among four fighters.[43] The Fight of the Night bonus, given for the most exciting bout as determined by UFC executives, went to the main event between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger Daniel Cormier; each received $50,000 for their five-round unanimous decision war that featured intense grappling and striking exchanges.[44][45] Two Performance of the Night awards, honoring dominant individual victories, were presented: lightweight Paul Felder earned $50,000 for his second-round knockout of Danny Castillo via spinning backfist, marking a standout performance on the preliminary card.[46][44][47] Heavyweight Shawn Jordan also received $50,000 for his first-round TKO of Jared Cannonier with punches, showcasing quick finishing power in a heavyweight prelim bout.[43][48] These bonuses are selected based on UFC management's assessment of overall excitement, technical dominance, and finish quality, often highlighting moments that elevate the event's entertainment value.[45]Reported Payouts
The Nevada State Athletic Commission disclosed fighter purses for UFC 182 totaling $1.3 million, representing base salaries and win bonuses but excluding pay-per-view revenue shares, discretionary bonuses, taxes, and other incentives.[49] Jon Jones, the light heavyweight champion, earned the highest purse at $500,000 for his main event victory, a figure that included his base pay but did not account for substantial undisclosed PPV points typical for top-tier headliners.[49] His opponent, Daniel Cormier, received $90,000, which reflected his base salary without the additional $90,000 win bonus he would have earned had he won.[49] Other notable earners included Donald Cerrone, who pocketed $140,000 ($70,000 base plus $70,000 win bonus) for his co-main event win over Myles Jury, who earned $16,000 as his show money.[49] On the undercard, Paul Felder received $20,000 ($10,000 base plus $10,000 win bonus) for his performance bonus-eligible knockout victory.[49] These figures highlighted the pay disparity in the event, with main card fighters generally outearning prelim competitors, though PPV shares remained confidential and could significantly boost earnings for stars like Jones.[49]| Fighter | Purse | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Jones | $500,000 | Base pay (excludes PPV points) |
| Daniel Cormier | $90,000 | Base pay (no win bonus) |
| Donald Cerrone | $140,000 | $70,000 base + $70,000 win bonus |
| Myles Jury | $16,000 | Show money |
| Paul Felder | $20,000 | $10,000 base + $10,000 win bonus |