Check out BloodyElbow.com’s video recap of the UFC 210 main event between UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson.
His Friday weigh-in was drama-filled, but Daniel Cormier walked away from UFC 210 still the light heavyweight champion.
In the pay-per-view card’s main event, “DC” choked out Anthony Johnson in the second round in a rematch, repeating nearly exactly what happened in his 2015 title win over “Rumble.” UFC 210 took place live from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Johnson, as expected, had success on the feet throughout the bout, which lasted approximately eight minutes, but it was the champion’s grueling wrestling game that got him the victory. Cormier capitalized on Johnson’s bizarre gameplan of wrestling and clinching with the 38-year-old; he was able to reverse position multiple times and found himself in control on the mat often.
In the second round, while “Rumble” tried to escape, Cormier was able to take his opponent’s back and fairly quickly sink in a rear-naked choke, forcing Johnson to tap.
What was the highlight of the fight?
Cormier slowly but surely taking control of the bout was its highlight. Johnson arguably won the first round, but his interesting gameplan cost him. “Rumble” tried to take “DC” down more than he tried to knock him out, and that, not surprisingly, didn’t work too well (to his credit, Johnson did get Cormier down twice, but not for long at all). Cormier eventually got into top position in the second round, and “Rumble” simply couldn’t get out from underneath the titleholder. Johnson went from doing fairly well to losing in what seemed to be only a matter of seconds. It didn’t take Cormier long to force the tap.
Where do these two go from here?
Cormier will most likely defend his belt against longtime rival Jon Jones this summer, but that isn’t a guarantee. “DC” seems intrigued by a potential matchup with rising contender Jimi Manuwa, but the “Bones” rematch is more likely.
Johnson unexpectedly announced his retirement from mixed martial arts after his second loss to Cormier, but his reasoning was vague. He said that he has committed to another job unrelated to MMA.
Watch now, later, or never?
You should watch the light heavyweight title rematch immediately.