# UFC 182

UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier was a mixed martial arts event held by the [Ultimate Fighting Championship](https://www.edgepedia.org/ultimate-fighting-championship) on January 3, 2015, at the [MGM Grand Garden Arena](https://www.edgepedia.org/mgm-grand-garden-arena) in Las Vegas, headlined by a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout in which [Jon Jones](https://www.edgepedia.org/jon-jones) defeated Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision.<sup>[1](http://www.ufcstats.com/fight-details/57385188587c83b9)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-decisions-cormier-bad-blood-still-boils)</sup> It was the first UFC event of 2015 and a highly anticipated showdown between the light heavyweight champion and an unbeaten challenger.<sup>[3](https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-decade-review-2015-holm-mcgregor-dc)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date and venue | January 3, 2015, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas<sup>[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-decisions-cormier-bad-blood-still-boils)</sup> |
| Main event | Jon Jones def. Daniel Cormier, unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46), five rounds, referee Herb Dean<sup>[1](http://www.ufcstats.com/fight-details/57385188587c83b9)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-182-Results-Jones-vs-Cormier-PlaybyPlay-Updates-79299)</sup> |
| Stakes | Jones's eighth successful light heavyweight title defense; first career loss for the previously unbeaten Cormier<sup>[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-decisions-cormier-bad-blood-still-boils)</sup> |
| Gate and attendance | 11,575 announced attendance for a $3.7 million live gate<sup>[5](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2015/01/ufc-182-draws-reported-11575-attendance-for-3-7-million-gate)</sup> |
| Pay-per-view | Early cable estimates of 740,000 to 820,000 buys, the UFC's best since UFC 168 in December 2013<sup>[6](https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/14/7549003/jones-vs-cormier-does-ufcs-best-pay-per-view-numbers-in-a-year)</sup> |
| Bonuses | Fight of the Night: Jones vs. Cormier; Performance of the Night: Paul Felder and Shawn Jordan<sup>[7](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/01/03/ufc-182-january-3-2015-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-history/77445095007/)</sup> |
| Historical note | Third longest event in total in-cage fight time in UFC history<sup>[7](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/01/03/ufc-182-january-3-2015-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-history/77445095007/)</sup> |

## Background

The rivalry's public origins trace to November 2011, when Jones and Cormier nearly brawled at the 2011 World MMA Awards, and to a heated backstage confrontation at UFC 121 where trash talk set the stage for years of animosity.<sup>[8](https://www.mmamania.com/2015/1/1/7469257/ufc-182-preview-bad-blood-timeline-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-mma-rivalry)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[9](https://www.lowkickmma.com/ten-year-anniversary-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-1/)</sup> The feud escalated during the press tour for their originally scheduled meeting at [UFC 178](https://www.edgepedia.org/ufc-178): in August 2014 the two scuffled during a promotional event in the MGM Grand casino lobby, with a face-off shoving match and melee on stage.<sup>[10](https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/11344757/jon-bones-jones-suffers-leg-injury-withdraws-ufc-178)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/01/03/ufc-182-january-3-2015-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-history/77445095007/)</sup>

The Nevada State Athletic Commission penalized both fighters. Jones, ruled the instigator of the brawl, received a $50,000 fine and four days of community service in Las Vegas, while Cormier received a $9,000 fine and two days of community service in San Jose.<sup>[11](https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/2014/09/29/cormier-priming-ufc-fight-jones/16443061/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[12](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-and-cormier-fined-august-brawl)</sup>

On August 12, 2014, Jones withdrew from UFC 178 with a leg injury, and the bout moved to UFC 182 on January 3 in Las Vegas.<sup>[10](https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/11344757/jon-bones-jones-suffers-leg-injury-withdraws-ufc-178)</sup> Cormier said the delay gave him three and a half to four months of additional training.<sup>[11](https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/2014/09/29/cormier-priming-ufc-fight-jones/16443061/)</sup> Incidents between the two camps continued during fight week.<sup>[13](https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/4/7489553/ufc-182-results-jon-jones-defeats-daniel-cormier-with-late-round)</sup>

## Event card and results

The main card aired on pay-per-view, following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.<sup>[5](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2015/01/ufc-182-draws-reported-11575-attendance-for-3-7-million-gate)</sup> The card results included:<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>

- **Jon Jones** def. [Daniel Cormier](https://www.edgepedia.org/daniel-cormier), unanimous decision (49-46 x3), round 5<sup>[1](http://www.ufcstats.com/fight-details/57385188587c83b9)</sup>
- **Donald Cerrone** def. [Myles Jury](https://www.edgepedia.org/myles-jury), unanimous decision, three rounds; Cerrone outstruck Jury 37-15 with two submission attempts<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>
- **Brad Tavares** def. [Nate Marquardt](https://www.edgepedia.org/nate-marquardt)<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>
- **Kyoji Horiguchi** def. Louis Gaudinot<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>
- **Hector Lombard** vs. Joshua Burkman, declared a no contest and overturned<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>
- **Paul Felder** def. Danny Castillo by KO (spinning back fist) at 2:09 of round 2<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>
- **Cody Garbrandt** def. Marcus Brimage by TKO at 4:50 of round 3<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>
- **Shawn Jordan** def. Jared Cannonier by TKO at 2:57 of round 1<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>
- **Evan Dunham** def. Rodrigo Damm<sup>[14](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)</sup>

## Main event: Jones vs. Cormier

Jones won by unanimous decision, with all three judges, Marcos Rosales, Cardo Urso, and Tony Weeks, scoring the fight 49-46 for the champion, and [Herb Dean](https://www.edgepedia.org/herb-dean) refereed the five-round title bout.<sup>[1](http://www.ufcstats.com/fight-details/57385188587c83b9)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-182-Results-Jones-vs-Cormier-PlaybyPlay-Updates-79299)</sup>

Pre-fight numbers framed the matchup. Jones, 27, held a record of 21-1; the 35-year-old Cormier, a former Olympic wrestler, entered 15-0.<sup>[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-decisions-cormier-bad-blood-still-boils)</sup> Both weighed 205.0 lbs, but Jones held an 84.5-inch reach to Cormier's 72.5 inches, a roughly foot-long advantage that pre-fight analysis identified, along with the eight-year age edge, as the key statistical separator; Cormier had the shortest reach of any of Jones's UFC opponents.<sup>[15](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/23598-ufc-182-pettis-vs-melendez)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[16](https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-182-Statistical-Matchup-Analysis-Jones-vs-Cormier-79319)</sup> Cormier had never been taken down in his professional career, having faced only 11 takedown attempts, while only [Alexander Gustafsson](https://www.edgepedia.org/alexander-gustafsson) had previously completed a takedown on Jones.<sup>[16](https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-182-Statistical-Matchup-Analysis-Jones-vs-Cormier-79319)</sup>

In the fight, Cormier came out fast and secured an emphatic slam takedown against the fence, but Jones got up immediately and avoided another takedown before the final horn.<sup>[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-decisions-cormier-bad-blood-still-boils)</sup> A Jones eye poke briefly halted the action 90 seconds into the third round.<sup>[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-decisions-cormier-bad-blood-still-boils)</sup> The decisive stretch came in round four, when Jones scored three takedowns, leaving Cormier visibly deflated and turning the fight in his favor for good.<sup>[13](https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/4/7489553/ufc-182-results-jon-jones-defeats-daniel-cormier-with-late-round)</sup> The fight ended with post-horn exchanges, Cormier landing a pair of uppercuts at the horn, the first catching Jones and the second possibly catching referee Herb Dean.<sup>[13](https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/4/7489553/ufc-182-results-jon-jones-defeats-daniel-cormier-with-late-round)</sup>

The official statistics support the scoring: Jones outlanded Cormier in significant strikes 92 of 178 (51%) to 58 of 165 (35%), landed 3 of 5 takedowns (60%) against Cormier's 1 of 8 (12%), and controlled 6:52 of fight time to Cormier's 1:36.<sup>[1](http://www.ufcstats.com/fight-details/57385188587c83b9)</sup> Afterward Jones said, "I'm sorry I'm being classless. I do not like Daniel Cormier and that's why I'm being this way."<sup>[2](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-decisions-cormier-bad-blood-still-boils)</sup>

## By the numbers

The event drew an announced attendance of 11,575 for a live gate of $3.7 million, figures announced by [Dana White](https://www.edgepedia.org/dana-white) and subject to Nevada State Athletic Commission verification, an average of $319.65 per ticket issued.<sup>[5](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2015/01/ufc-182-draws-reported-11575-attendance-for-3-7-million-gate)</sup> White acknowledged the event did not sell out despite the hype, and expected a pay-per-view buyrate around 750,000.<sup>[17](https://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-182-gate-attendance-low-ppv-expectations-running-075736764--mma.html)</sup> Early cable estimates came in at 740,000 to 820,000 buys, the company's best since UFC 168 on December 28, 2013, and the event went head-to-head with an NFL playoff game that drew 28 million viewers.<sup>[6](https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/14/7549003/jones-vs-cormier-does-ufcs-best-pay-per-view-numbers-in-a-year)</sup> For comparison, UFC 168 in the same arena drew 15,650 people for a gate of $6.2 million.<sup>[17](https://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-182-gate-attendance-low-ppv-expectations-running-075736764--mma.html)</sup>

The total disclosed payroll was $1.3 million, with Jones earning $500,000 (no win bonus) and Cormier $90,000.<sup>[18](https://www.mmamania.com/2015/1/5/7494585/ufc-182-payouts-salaries-jon-jones-scores-500k-for-disposing-of-daniel-cormier-mma)</sup> With seven decisions in the first 10 fights and a 25-minute headliner, the event became the third longest in total in-cage fight time in UFC history.<sup>[7](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/01/03/ufc-182-january-3-2015-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-history/77445095007/)</sup>

## Bonuses

Jones and Cormier earned Fight of the Night bonuses, and [Paul Felder](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-felder) and [Shawn Jordan](https://www.edgepedia.org/shawn-jordan) earned [Performance](https://www.edgepedia.org/performance) of the Night awards.<sup>[7](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/01/03/ufc-182-january-3-2015-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-history/77445095007/)</sup>

## Aftermath

Weeks before the fight, Jones had been flagged for an out-of-competition drug test failure for cocaine; because it was out of competition it carried no suspension, and the failure was not announced until three days after his win over Cormier.<sup>[7](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/01/03/ufc-182-january-3-2015-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-history/77445095007/)</sup> By May 2015, a hit-and-run accident prompted the UFC to strip Jones of the belt. Cormier and [Anthony Johnson](https://www.edgepedia.org/anthony-johnson-fighter) then fought for the vacant crown at UFC 187, with Cormier taking the title by submission.<sup>[3](https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-decade-review-2015-holm-mcgregor-dc)</sup>

## Legacy

The rivalry continued in rematches. In the later rematch, Jones again defeated Cormier, by head kick, but that result was overturned due to a banned substance in Jones's system.<sup>[9](https://www.lowkickmma.com/ten-year-anniversary-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-1/)</sup> The rivalry is still regarded as one of the best in MMA and UFC history, with the 2015 meeting as its competitive high point.<sup>[9](https://www.lowkickmma.com/ten-year-anniversary-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-1/)</sup>

## References

1. [UFC Stats: Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier](http://www.ufcstats.com/fight-details/57385188587c83b9)
2. [Jones Decisions Cormier, Bad Blood Still Boils, UFC.com](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-decisions-cormier-bad-blood-still-boils)
3. [Decade in Review – 2015, UFC.com](https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-decade-review-2015-holm-mcgregor-dc)
4. [UFC 182 Results: Jones vs. Cormier Play-by-Play, Sherdog](https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-182-Results-Jones-vs-Cormier-PlaybyPlay-Updates-79299)
5. [UFC 182 draws reported 11,575 attendance for $3.7 million gate, MMA Junkie](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2015/01/ufc-182-draws-reported-11575-attendance-for-3-7-million-gate)
6. [Jones vs. Cormier does UFC's best pay-per-view numbers in a year, MMA Fighting](https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/14/7549003/jones-vs-cormier-does-ufcs-best-pay-per-view-numbers-in-a-year)
7. [On this day, UFC 182 becomes third longest event in UFC history, MMA Junkie](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/01/03/ufc-182-january-3-2015-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-history/77445095007/)
8. [UFC 182 preview: Bad Blood timeline, MMA Mania](https://www.mmamania.com/2015/1/1/7469257/ufc-182-preview-bad-blood-timeline-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-mma-rivalry)
9. [The Ten-Year Anniversary Of Jon Jones Vs. Daniel Cormier 1, LowKickMMA](https://www.lowkickmma.com/ten-year-anniversary-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-1/)
10. [Jones-Cormier fight moves to Jan. 3, ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/11344757/jon-bones-jones-suffers-leg-injury-withdraws-ufc-178)
11. [Cormier priming for UFC 182 fight with Jones, The Advertiser](https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/2014/09/29/cormier-priming-ufc-fight-jones/16443061/)
12. [Jones and Cormier fined for August brawl, UFC.com](https://www.ufc.com/news/jones-and-cormier-fined-august-brawl)
13. [UFC 182 results: Jon Jones defeats Daniel Cormier with late-round surge, MMA Fighting](https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/4/7489553/ufc-182-results-jon-jones-defeats-daniel-cormier-with-late-round)
14. [UFC Stats: UFC 182 event details](http://ufcstats.com/event-details/a72d260b436924c4)
15. [UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier, Tapology](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/23598-ufc-182-pettis-vs-melendez)
16. [UFC 182 Statistical Matchup Analysis: Jones vs. Cormier, Sherdog](https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-182-Statistical-Matchup-Analysis-Jones-vs-Cormier-79319)
17. [UFC 182 Gate and Attendance Low, but PPV Expectations Running High, Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-182-gate-attendance-low-ppv-expectations-running-075736764--mma.html)
18. [UFC 182 payouts and salaries, MMA Mania](https://www.mmamania.com/2015/1/5/7494585/ufc-182-payouts-salaries-jon-jones-scores-500k-for-disposing-of-daniel-cormier-mma)

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