"UFC 187: Cormier Vs. Johnson" Results: New Light Heavyweight Champion Crowned, Heavyweight Classic
Welcome to Wrestling Inc's live coverage of UFC 187! We have two championship fights on tap tonight, so be sure to join us and score the fights on our comment board below. Also, check out our event preview at this link.
Quick results of the prelims starts at 6:30 eastern, with full round-by-round coverage starting with the PPV at 10 pm eastern.
Note: The Rose Namajunas vs. Nina Ansaroff fight has been scratched
Prelim Card
Justin Scoggins defeated Josh Sampo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Islam Makhachev defeated Leo Kuntz via submission (rear-naked choke) Round 2, 2:38
Colby Covington defeated Mike Pyle via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Rafael Natal defeated Uriah Hall via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Dong Hyun Kim (#8) defeated Josh Burkman via submission (arm-triangle) Round 3, 2:13
John Dodson (#1) defeated Zach Makovsky (#9) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Main Card
Joseph Benavidez (#2) vs. John Moraga (#5)
Round 1: Moraga opens with a couple kicks but gets dropped by a punch. Benavidez works the top game and moves into side control. He works for mount, but can't get it. Moraga works his way up and ends up taking Benavidez's back. He switches around and throws a few knees but gets taken down again.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Joseph Benavidez
Round 2: Benavidez lands a good combo that earns him a counter uppercut from Moraga. Both men throw heavy leg kicks, then circle for a little while before Moraga scores a body kick and big right punch. Benavidez takes Moraga down and moves to side control. Benavidez grinds his elbow across Moraga's face, which is cut on the top of his head.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Joseph Benavidez
Round 3: Both men land several punches as they slug it out for almost a full minute. Benavidez lands a takedown and goes right back to elbows in side control before Moraga regains guard. Benavidez keeps top control for the rest of the fight.
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Joseph Benavidez, making it 30-27 Benavidez
Official Result: Joseph Benavidez (#2) defeats John Moraga (#5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
I'm not sure where Benavidez goes from here. He's lost to the champion twice, and is too small for 135 pounds.
Travis Browne (#3) vs. Andrei Arlovksi (#8)
Round 1: Arlovski clips Browne early and follows up with huge punches, but Browne recovers. It looked like Arlovski needed that boost of confidence. Browne lands a couple of nice punches, but gets clipped three more times. Browne gets his wits back and scores a leg kick. Arlovski drops Browne with a backhand. Browne drops Arlovski! This is crazy. Arlovski back up and finishes Browne on the feet!
Official Result: Andrei Arlovski (#8) defeats Travis Browne (#3) via TKO (punches) Round 1, 4:41
That was one of the craziest rounds in UFC history. My words can't do it justice. That was guano crazy.
Donald Cerrone (#3) vs. John Makdessi
Round 1: Cerrone scores a couple of huge leg kicks, then a body kick. He looks two weight classes bigger than Makdessi. A head kick lands for Cerrone, and poor Makdessi looks lost. Cerrone's corner flat out tells Cerrone to play with Makdessi. Cerrone lands a couple of punches, and Makdessi finally gets a body-head hook combo. Makdessi gets a jab, but that motivates Cerrone to land a few big punches of his own. Cerrone is in complete control. Makdessi gets a few punches off to close the round
Wrestling Inc scores the round 10-9 for Donald Cerrone
Round 2: Makdessi comes out more active, but gets countered. Cerrone is landing almost at will, and has a tremendous reach advantage. A knee and several punches land for Cerrone in a combo out of a video game. Makdessi lands here and there, but is probably eating punches at a 4-to-1 ratio. Cerrone peppers Makdessi with punches and knees, but Makdessi breaks a clinch with a punch. Makdessi then eats several shots, probably about 7 or 8 of them. Cerrone lands a head kick and breaks Makdessi's jaw with a head kick. Makdessi waves it off by calling "timeout." He's done.
Official Result: Donald Cerrone (#3) defeats John Makdessi via TKO (head kick) Round 2, 4:44
Much respect to John Makdessi for taking that fight on short notice. Cerrone is probably getting a title shot next.
UFC Middleweight Championship
Chris Weidman (c) vs. Vitor Belfort (#3)
Round 1: Weidman comes up empty on an early head kick, and the two circle. A huge scramble almost leads to a big head kick from Vitor. Belfort connects and lands several punches, and Weidman looked in trouble. Weidman gets a double leg takedown and destroys Vitor on the ground from mount. Belfort trying to punch while mounted. The ref stops it. Weidman retains.
Official Result: Chris Weidman (c) defeats Vitor Belfort (#3) via TKO (punches) Round 1, 2:53 to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship
Barring last minute replacements, I'd say that's Vitor's last title shot as he's lost three championship bouts in the past four years. Weidman will likely get Luke Rockhold later this year. Weidman has now defeated Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort consecutively.
Vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Anthony "Rumble" Johnson (#1) vs. Daniel Cormier (#3)
Round 1: As is tradition, Rumble is eyepoked early. He responds by blasting Cormier. DC eventually takes Rumble down, but Johnson works back up to his feet. After a scramble, Cormier grabs a front headlock, but Johnson breaks free and lands a head kick. Johnson is swinging and stuffs a takedown. DC connects as we end the round. Really close
Wrestling Inc scores Round 1 a draw, 10-10
Round 2: Rumble lands several big strikes, but he's swinging wildly again and gets picked up, carries and dumped by Cormier. DC moves to side control in the middle of the cage. Johnson is pinned, and Cormier keeps going for a double wristlock, but can't finish it. Cormier lands strikes over and over from the top. Big elbows from Cormier cut open Rumble Johnson. Clear round for Cormier.
Wrestling Inc scores Round 2 for Daniel Cormier, 10-9
Round 3: Rumble comes out throwing strikes, slips, and takes down Cormier. DC gets up quickly and tries to score a takedown, but gets punched a few times before slipping behind and landing punches. Johnson is exhausted. Cormier takes Johnson's back and gets a rear-naked choke for the win.
Official Result: Daniel Cormier defeats Anthony Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) Round 3, 2:39 to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Cormier takes the mic and tells Jon Jones to "get his sh-t together," and leaves the cage.