UFC 210: Cormier submits Johnson, defends belt and retires rival

Cormier retained his belt by submitting Johnson at UFC 210 (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

Daniel Cormier proved, once again, that with Jon Jones out of action, the light heavyweight category (up to 93kg) has a new dominant champion. With a confident performance, DC retained the division belt by defeating Anthony Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:37 of the second round, in the main fight of UFC 210, held this Saturday (08), in Buffalo (USA).

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This is Cormier's second victory over Johnson in a title fight. The first occurred in May 2015, at UFC 187, when he finished 'Rumble' and won the vacant number 1 spot at 93kg.

After the fight, Johnson announced, still in the octagon, his retirement from MMA. He leaves the sport with a record of 22 wins and six losses.

“I have no excuses, I lost the fight to a better guy. DC is very talented and congratulations to him. This is something I have to do for myself, I love the fans and this is my last fight. I haven't told Dana White yet, I haven't told anyone, I didn't want any distractions. I committed to another job, something I wanted to do for a long time, unlike MMA, I'm tired of getting punched. (…) There is nothing fun about being punched. But it would have to be here, in this wonderful place. You respected my work and thank you very much!”, declared Johnson.

Cormier, in turn, achieved his 19th triumph in 20 fights. His only defeat came against Jon Jones, in January 2015. In the post-fight interview, Cormier clashed with Jimi Manuwa and 'Bones', his declared enemy, who were present in the stands.

“I told Manuwa to try to come and take me down. Don't lie to yourself. You won't make it. Who else? Jon Jones Can you fight? Is he allowed to fight? When he gets his life together, look for me. You won me over the first time, but they can leave me locked in here. We are very different and he has to get his life straightened out first”, said the champion.

The fight 

Johnson started the fight by putting pressure on the champion, who was cornered against the fence. The challenger tried to take the fight to the ground, but Cormier made a good defense and remained standing. With the fight in the clinch, DC managed to reverse the position and put Anthony under pressure, hunting for his rival's arms. The duel remained truncated, without much effectiveness on both sides until the end of the round, much to the dissatisfaction of the public present.

Daniel returned to the second stage, releasing a high kick, which stopped in the challenger's guard. The champion went for his rival's legs and tried for a takedown, but Johnson managed to free himself and stayed on his feet. Just like in the first round, the fight again took place in the clinch, with both men fighting for position. Surprisingly, Johnson applied a takedown to Cormier, who quickly got up and responded in kind. Behind his rival's back, DC started to strike his rival, who was only defending himself. After Johnson tried to get up, Cormier grabbed his opponent's neck and locked him in a rear naked choke, marking yet another victory for his career.

Mousasi knocks out Weidman in controversial duel 

Mousasi (right) beat Weidman (left) in a controversial fight (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

PUBLICITY:

In a very controversial duel, Gegard Mousasi established himself as one of the main names in the middleweight elite by defeating Chris Weidman by technical knockout at 3:31 of the second round, after the event doctor decreed that the former champion was in no condition to return to the duel after receiving two knees to the head. This was the fifth consecutive triumph for the Dutchman, who came from victories over Thales leites, Thiago Marreta, Vitor belfort e Uriah Hall.

“I saw that he raised his hands on the second knee. It's not my fault, I wanted to continue. I wanted to fight, I didn't want to create a problem. I apologize to Weidman, I have nothing against him, it's a shame this happened,” said Mousasi, still in the Octagon.

Weidman continues to go through the worst phase of his career. The 'All American' hasn't known what it's like to win since May 2015, when he knocked out Vitor belfort at UFC 187. Since then, he has been knocked out by Luke Rockhold, Yoel romero and Mousasi.

“”I'm sorry this all happened. I think it was an illegal knee, why would they have stopped the fight? I had my hands on the floor. I wanted to tell you that I'm back, especially after so many difficulties, but I'm sorry. I love New York and I can't believe this is happening. I want to go back,” said Weidman, visibly moved.

The duel started with both moving in the center of the octagon, but without much action. Mousasi connected with a clean jab on the former champion, who responded with a kick to the waistline. Weidman went for his opponent's legs and took the fight to the ground. When trying to get up, Gegard left his neck exposed, and almost fell into a handlock from the American. The two were back on their feet, but for a short time, as Chris took another takedown, but Mousasi was back on his feet. Weidman landed a good direct hit on his rival, who tried to respond in kind. In the final seconds, Mousasi lost his balance and fell, but Weidman didn't have time to work on top.

Mousasi returned aggressively for the second stage, delivering a barrage of blows to the American, who felt it and was cornered against the fence. However, instead of continuing to attack, Gegard tried to take him down, but was blocked by his rival, who managed to recover. The 'All American' took the fight to the ground once again, falling on top of his opponent. After sweeping, Weidman went to mount and tried to take the back, but Mousasi defended himself correctly and stayed on his feet. Afterwards, Gegard kneed the former champion in the head, initially considered illegal by referee John Miragliotta. However, when analyzing the replay, it was confirmed that Weidman did not have both hands on the ground, validating the Dutchman's blows.

With the fight stopped, the combat doctor went to examine Weidman again, and claimed that the former champion was in no condition to fight, thus decreeing the victory of Gegard Mousasi by technical knockout.

Dominant, Calvillo submits Gonzalez in the third round 

Calvillo (right) defeated Gonzales (left) at UFC 210 (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

In a dominant way, Cynthia calvillo lived up to her favoritism and defeated Pearl Gonzalez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:45 of the third round, in a fight valid for the women's bantamweight category. This was Calvillo's second submission victory in less than a month – she had defeated Amanda Bobby Cooper at UFC 209, last March. She won the five fights she had as a professional. Gonzalez, who was making his UFC debut, lost for the second time in six fights.

UFC 210:

MAIN CARD

Light Heavyweight: Daniel Cormier derrotou Anthony Johnson via submission (rear naked choke) at 3m37s of R2

Average weight: Gegard Mousasi derrotou Chris Weidman by technical knockout at 3:31 of R2

Straw weight: Cynthia calvillo defeated Pearl Gonzalez via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:45 of R3

Welterweight Weight: Thiago Pitbull defeated Patrick Cote by unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×27, 30×27)

Lightweight: Charles of the Bronx defeated Will Brooks via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:30 of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD

Featherweight: Myles Jury defeated Mike de la Torre by TKO at 3:30 of R1

Welterweight Weight: Kamaru Usman derrotou Sean Strickland by unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×26, 30×26)

Feather weight: Shane burgos derrotou Charles Rosa by technical knockout at 1m59s of R3

Light heavyweight: Patrick Cummins defeated Jan Blachowicz by majority decision of the judges (29×28, 29×28, 28×28)

Lightweight: Gregor Gillespie defeated Andrew Holbrook by TKO at 21 seconds of R1

Lightweight: Desmond Green defeated Josh Emmett by split decision of the judges (29×28, 28×29, 30×27)

Bantamweight: Katlyn chookagian derrotou Irene aldana by split decision of the judges (29×28, 28×29, 29×28)

Flyweight: Magomed Bibulatov defeated Jenel Lausa by unanimous decision (29×26, 29×26, 29×26)