Daniel Cormier vs. Jeff Monson
Daniel Cormier (7-0)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 249 pounds
Wins: 3 knockouts, 3 submissions, 1 decision
Losses: 0 knockouts, 0 submissions, 0 decisions
Jeff Monson (42-11)
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 230 pounds
Wins: 2 knockouts, 26 submissions, 14 decisions
Losses: 2 knockouts, 2 submissions, 7 decisions
Fight Information:
This classic veteran-versus-prospect fight that could very well be the final run toward a title for Jeff “The Snowman” Monson as he fights the undefeated Daniel Cormier.
Despite now being in his 40’s, Monson has competed like a madman in recent years, fighting in 12 bouts over the past 18 months. Normally this kind of activity is done only by relative newcomers as they get their feet wet in the sport. But Monson’s desire to get back into the title hunt has led him to Strikeforce.
Daniel Cormier is a 32-year old fighter who only recently made his debut in September 2009. In just that time, though, he has run his record to 7-0, using punches to finish six of the seven bouts.
He was scheduled to fight fellow undefeated heavyweight Shane Del Rosario in this event, but Del Rosario had to pull out due to injuries he sustained in a car accident.
Fight Prediction:
It’s not often that a 32-year old has a significant age advantage, but that’s what Cormier has in this fight. Not only that, but Cormier has the heavier hands of the two fighters as well as the more more technical skills on the feet.
However, Jeff Monson has fought opponents like this before. Daniel Cormier is a talented fighter, but he doesn’t really possess any skills that Monson hasn’t seen before.
These two fighters have combined for 15 straight victories, but one of them will be coming to an end in this one. In this case, I look for “The Snowman” to bring the fight to the ground where he will use his vastly superior Jiu-Jitsu to submit Cormier late in the fight.
Jeff Monson by submission, Round 3