The probability of Anthony Johnson winning the UFC light heavyweight championship more than doubled after Jon Jones’ arrest, according to odds in local sports books.
“Rumble” remains an underdog to pull off the feat Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the main event of UFC 187. He’s offered at plus-110 (risking $1 to win $1.10) with replacement opponent Daniel Cormier the favorite at minus-140 (risking $1.40 to win $1).
But that’s far more manageable than a bout against Jones, who was a 4-to-1 favorite over Johnson until the UFC stripped him of his championship belt. That line, adjusted for the house’s hold, implied a 21 percent chance that Johnson would defeat Jones.
The new number gives Johnson a 44 percent likelihood of beating Cormier. It’s the most competitive 205-pound championship fight in more than six years.
Not since Rashad Evans dethroned Forrest Griffin at UFC 92, which took place in December 2008 at the MGM, in a pick’em bout have the odds been this close.
The Sun’s picks panel, for one, couldn’t come to a consensus on the fight. One of the five prognosticators went with Johnson emerging as champion to cap off the UFC’s annual Memorial Day pay-per-view.
Check below to find a breakdown of every UFC 187 fight along with odds and picks from ESPN Radio’s Steve Cofield (37-19 year to date), ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto (36-20), KSNV’s Randy Howe (35-21), Las Vegas Sun’s Case Keefer (33-23) and Las Vegas Sun’s Ray Brewer (33-23).
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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