Less than four months after coming up short in a bid to capture the UFC light heavyweight championship, Daniel Cormier is considered the favorite to beat Anthony Johnson for the title on May 23.
Cormier (15-1) has opened a minus-140 favorite to win the vacant light heavyweight belt at UFC 187 next month in Las Vegas.
Johnson (19-4) is listed at plus-110.
Johnson was scheduled to fight Jon Jones (21-1) on the same date, but that bout was canceled on Tuesday when the UFC stripped Jones of his title and placed him under indefinite suspension.
Lines were set by industry leader Nick Kalikas of MMAOddsBreaker.com.
"At the time 5Dimes Sportsbook pulled the offering, Jones was a minus-260 favorite over Johnson," Kalikas said. "Jones was less of a favorite -- minus-195 -- against Cormier when they fought in January. This comparison is one of the factors why Cormier has been opened the favorite over Johnson. Anticipate this fight to close near a pick 'em."
Jones is facing a felony in Albuquerque, New Mexico; he has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury.
Fighting out of Boca Raton, Florida, Johnson has never fought for a UFC title. He is undefeated since moving up to the 205-pound division in August 2012. Previously, he fought the majority of his career at 170 pounds.
Cormier challenged Jones for the title at UFC 182 in January. He lost via unanimous decision.
A former Olympic U.S. wrestler, Cormier was scheduled to fight Ryan Bader on June 6 and was already in fight preparations when the bout with Johnson was announced.