Opening odds for Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones 2 favor ex-UFC champ

As expected Jon Jones has opened as the favorite over his rival and the current UFC light-heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier.

As announced on Friday, Cormier (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) and Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) will have their long-awaited rematch on July 29, when UFC 214 airs on pay-per-view from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Jones, who’s No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA light heavyweight rankings, never technically lost the title. In fact, from 2011-2015, he posted eight consecutive title defenses, which concluded with a unanimous-decision win over Cormier in early 2015.

Jones, who was ultimately stripped of the belt due to legal issues, has fought just once since that Cormier win; in April 2016, he looked a bit rusty in a decision victory over Ovince Saint Preux, which won “Bones” an interim belt (though he was stripped again – this time due to a failed drug test).

Back from a yearlong suspension, Jones opened as a -185 favorite over +150 Cormier, according to veteran MMA oddsmaker Joey Oddessa. However, as of this morning, with early money coming in on Jones, he’s already up to a -210 to -250 favorite, depending on the sports book.

Jones, though, is used to favorite status; his opponent has been the underdog in his past 15 fights. The last time Jones wasn’t the favorite? Back in 2009, when Jones fought for the second time under the UFC banner and took on (and ultimately defeated) Stephan Bonnar.

However, few of Jones’ fights have had the type of bad blood he’s developed with Cormier. In fact, during the recent “UFC Summer Kickoff” press conference in Dallas, the longtime rivals got heated both backstage and on the dais (check out the highlights above).

When the vets first fought, back at UFC 182, Jones opened as a -170 favorite and ultimately closed at -205 over Cormier.

| Title: Opening odds for Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones 2 favor ex-UFC champ
| Author: MMAjunkie Staff
| Date: MAY 14, 2017