Daniel Cormier is crowned the new light heavyweight champion at UFC 187, and other results

LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 23: Daniel Cormier (top) attempts to submit Anthony Johnson in their UFC light heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 187 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

For the first time in four years the UFC crowned a new light heavyweight champion as Daniel Cormier took possession of the UFC gold with a tap out victory (due to a rear naked choke) over Anthony “Rumble” Johnson in the UFC187 main event. The official time of stoppage was 2:39 of the third round.

Originally it was supposed to be former champion Jon Jones on the card defending his light heavy weight title against Rumble Johnson, however, legal issues saw Jones forced out of the card and stripped of his light heavyweight crown. Cormier, whoever had been beat by Jon Jones in his previous fight, saw a golden opportunity and was granted a second chance to challenge for the light heavyweight title.

You don’t always get second opportunities in life, but Cormier made the best of his, by using his wrestling and superior strength to work Rumble on the mat and come over away with the rear naked choke. However, this was by no means an easy win for Cormier, who was dropped by Rumble in the first round. Rumble came in to the bout riding a nine fight winning streak, which included impressive knockouts over Antonio Nogueira and Alexander Gustafsson in his previous two fights, and he showed he had the power to knock out Cormier, if the former Strike Force heavyweight champion was not careful.

Cormier acknowledged Rumble’s power at the post fight press conference. “He hit me so hard, and I was like man, not only does this guy hit hard, he’s very fast. So when he hit me I fell and I turned around and I saw him coming to chase me, I was like holy $%^, he’s coming after me. So I tried to grab him and he just started punching me again. And eventually I was able to grab him and kind of get my head back. I wasn’t completely out, but I did get stunned. That’s the first time I’ve been knocked down in practice, competition, anything. I fell and in the moment, I rolled since I’m kind of chubby. And I looked behind me and there was Anthony, he was coming for me.”

During the post-fight press conference things would get quiet heated when Cormier began discussing his future as champion and spoke about his desire to beat Ryan Bader. Bader was in attendance at the post fight press conference and would walk up to the podium to exchange words with Cormier.

“There’s someone else that needs to get his ass beat and I think he’s around here, and it’s Ryan Bader,” Cormier would say. “This guy is so disrespectful, that I’m trying to fight Anthony Johnson and Ryan Bader is writing me stupid message on twitter because he wants people to think he deserves a title shot. They’ve asked me who I want to fight next and I said I want the easiest fight in the division, I want Ryan Bader.

The life of UFC champion is never easy, especially when you own the title in what is considered the UFC’s glamour division. Cormier will have to deal with the shadow that the Jon Jones legal situation has cast over the division, and Bader will surely continue to send insults his way until he gets his own title shot. Not to mention that there is a whole division that will be getting in line to take a crack at the new champion. But at least for one day there are only two words that matter to Daniel Cormier, And new….

Other Results

“Don’t doubt me no more”, Chris Weidman asked of the public after his first round demolition of Vitor Belfort. People can keep on doubting but all he does is win. Official time of stoppage was 2:53 of the first round. With the Weidman remains undefeated at 13-0 and mostly opportunity keeps the middleweight title around his waist.

“You might be able to hit me, but I’m going to keep moving forward. You’re not going to break me, I’m going to break you long before I ever break. I don’t care who’s next – Rockhold, Jacare – it’s cool with me. I just want to sit and chill for a while, but it would be a dream come true to headline a card at Madison Square Garden.”

Chris Weidman

Donald Cowboy Cerrone kept himself in the hunt for a lightweight title shot with a TKO win over John Makdessi.  A kick by Cerrone appeared to have broken Makdessi jaw, causing him to put a halt to the bout. Official time of stoppage was 4:41 of the second round.

“I had no idea what happened, I thought maybe I poked him in the eye or something. I was blown away. I should’ve wrestled him more but he made that comment about how good strikers always turn into wrestlers when they face another good striker; that was in my head a little bit. I’m upset with my performance, but I always am. I don’t know what’s next. My manager probably won’t let me take another fight before I get a title shot so I guess we’ll just wait and see.”

From the sound of the bell it was Bombs away!! As Andrei Arlovski gets a first round KO over Travis Browne. Official time of stoppage was 4:41 of the first round.

“Man, I was tired. I almost quit. There were so many punches being thrown and I was so tired. I am injured, I hurt my leg during my last workout on Thursday. We finished up training and I told my coach I wanted to go one more round just to test my reactions, we were moving around and he kicked me on the inside of my shin and I got a little cocky and started dancing around and I felt something in my leg. I thought my coach kicked me again so I asked him, but he said no. I really don’t know how it happened, but the UFC doctors were there right away and they took care of me. I’m really grateful for the care they gave me.”

Number 2 ranked UFC flyweight Jose Benavidez gets a unanimous decision over 5^th ranked John Moraga. All judges see the fight 30-27.

“I think I caught him with a right hook really early, that’s my power punch that tends to hurt most people. In that first scramble I know I dropped, like I said, I think it was a right hook. That first ground exchange was because I rocked him, not because I tried to take him down. He fought really well for saying he was dizzy the whole fight. I thought I’d be the faster guy out there, and I feel like I was with my hand speed. He’s got great distance control, he feels like a veteran out there, you never know about someone until you get out there with them. He’s one of the top guys in the division and he’s fought the best in the world – he’s a true gamer. It doesn’t make sense for me to call anyone out other than the matchmakers. If you want to fight me, tell the matchmakers and let’s make it happen. I’ve only been fighting twice per year and I want to fight again soon.”

UFC Fox Sports1 Prelims

John “The Magician” Dodson should get a shot at the flyweight tittle after winning a unanimous decision over number 9 ranked flyweight, Zach Makovsky. All judges saw the fight 29-28 for Dodson.

“I’m not excited about my performance. I looked like a guy coming off a long layoff. I threw a lot of punches and tried to hit him as hard as I could. I just wasn’t firing on all cylinders. I’m still happy I got the win and hope a title shot is next. I’ll be a totally different fighter against Demetrious Johnson and I will throw everything at him.”

Dong Hyun Kim, the second Korean to compete in the UFC and the first to win a UFC match, got another UFC victory by tapping out, via an arm triangle, Josh Burkman. The referee put a halt to the action at 2:13 of the third round. With the win Kim improved to 20-3-1, while Josh Burkman dropped to 28-11.

“I planned for many different scenarios, but he came out with a plan that really benefitted me. I was very well prepared for the fight. It looked like he rocked me in the third round, but I never felt threatened at all. After the first round, I could feel that he was gassed out, I could feel how tired he was and I knew that I would win the fight after that. I’ve won 11 fights with the UFC and I’m really looking to get on the Seoul card now – please UFC, put me on that card and let it be for a title contender position.”

Dong Hyun Kim