Unbeaten Myles Jury sees shot to capitalize at UFC 182

The eyes of the mixed martial arts world will be fixed on Las Vegas on Saturday when UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (20-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his title against longtime rival Daniel Cormier (15-0, 4-0) at UFC 182.

After the headliners brawled at a prefight news conference in August, then bickered in subsequent TV appearances, their clash (pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET) is bound to make this event one of the most watched in months.

That's big business for the UFC but also a big opportunity for the event's lesser-known fighters such as undefeated Myles Jury (15-0, 6-0), who takes on fan favorite Donald Cerrone (25-6, 12-3) in the co-main event.

For Jury, 26, wins against notable names are piling up, but fan interest hasn't kept pace. Whether it's a consequence of a crowded lightweight division, a fighting style that puts defense first or a personality that doesn't ignite enthusiasm, Jury is waiting for his breakout moment. That's why beating a guy such as Cerrone could be the boost he needs.

The way Jury sees it, Cerrone, 31, has earned his popularity by adopting a style that makes him fun to watch but not difficult to hit.

"He gets dropped every fight," Jury tells USA TODAY Sports. "He recovers and comes back, but he does get dropped every fight."

That makes him exciting to watch, Jury says, but it has to take a toll eventually, even if Cerrone has proved to be difficult for opponents to put away. "I think of it like a tree," Jury says. "With Cerrone, I've had guys come before and chop away at that tree. Then here I am, and this tree's been chopped at like crazy. It's only a matter of time before somebody knocks it down."

Cerrone has been finished twice in his career, by former lightweight champion Benson Henderson and current champ Anthony Pettis. A win for Jury on a fight card the world is watching likely would rocket him up the lightweight ranks.

Cerrone is "a little riled up" by some of Jury's comments, such as his dismissive take on a one-sided decision victory against veteran Diego Sanchez this year.

"His win over Diego, him saying, 'Oh, I can't believe I beat him that easy,'" Cerrone says. "That he's taking out veterans and that's what he does. I didn't like it. I don't dislike him more than anybody else, I would say, but now it's time to prove it."

Cerrone knows something about breakout moments, though his have come in bunches. His first year in the UFC, he fought five times, winning all but the last one.

Now he's riding a five-fight winning streak that includes two highlight-reel knockouts. But Jury, who finds himself lower in the ranks and nowhere near as loved by fans, already is thinking about what a win could mean for him.

"When I'm standing there (after the fight) and (UFC commentator) Joe Rogan asks me what's next," Jury says, "I'm saying the title shot is next."

Fowlkes writes for MMAjunkie.com.