Daniel Cormier is your new UFC light heavyweight champion.
Anthony Johnson entered as the No. 1-ranked light heavyweight, and Cormier as the No. 3-ranked in the division. It was a striker vs. grappler matchup for the vacant gold. After Bruce Buffer finished the pomp and circumstance it was time to fight.
Johnson opened the fight with a stunning overhand right hand that stunned Cormier. Johnson tried to pounce, but Cormier was able to survive and get hold of Johnson. Once he had his hands around Rumble, Cormier made him carry all of his weight.
There was not a lot of offense thrown, but Cormier used the position to wear down Johnson while he recovered from the hard punch. He got Johnson on the turf to continue tiring him out. It was a close first round due to Johnson’s early success.
In the second round, DC started to take over.
Johnson was already visibly tiring. Cormier covered up from an early Johnson barrage, and once again put his Greco-Roman wrestling to use. Johnson was wilting under the pressure of Cormier‘s superior grappling. Johnson was sucking wind hard. It was a dominant round that saw Cormier earn a couple of 10-8 rounds on the judge’s scorecards.
When the third round started it was obvious Johnson was done.
Cormier put him back on the canvas, worked from half-guard and slowly worked toward a finish. Finally, Johnson gave up his back, and that allowed Cormier to sink in the rear-naked choke. Johnson had to tap out. Cormier got his hand raised, and gold wrapped around his waist.
The former USA Wrestling standout finally culminated a run up the MMA ladder with UFC gold.
Johnson had his moments, but his cardio failed him under the pressure of Cormier. In the wasteland of 205, Johnson will be in prime position to earn another title shot sooner than later. This will be a valuable learning experience.
UFC 187 crowned a new division leader. Cormier wears the gold that used to be Jon Jones’, and perhaps a rematch is just around the corner. Cormier‘s UFC 187 showing also earned him an extra $50,000 with a performance bonus.
That tells you all you need to know about DC’s championship performance.
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