UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier - Review and Results

UFC 187 was an entertaining affair

The stacked UFC 187 card delivered big time. Despite a bit underwhelming preliminary card, the main card was filled with terrific action from the card opener to the main event. We saw Daniel Cormier crowned as the new light heavyweight champion in the main event and a successful and very dominant title defense by Chris Weidman in the co main event of the evening.

The back and forth Heavyweight slobber knocker between Andrei Arlovski vs. Travis Browne was awarded the ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus. While the new LHW champion Daniel Cormier and undisputed MW champion Chris Weidman got ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses for finishing their fights impressively.

PRELIMINARY CARD : (Fox Sports 1 / UFC FIGHT PASS)

• Justin Scoggins def. Josh Sampo via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
• Islam Makhachev def. Leo Kuntz via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:38 of Round 2
• Colby Covington def. Mike Pyle via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Rose Namajunas vs. Nina Ansaroff Fight cancelled
• Rafael Natal def. Uriah Hall via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Dong Hyun Kim def. Josh Burkman via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:13 of Round 3
• John Dodson def. Zach Makovsky via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Benavidez defeated Moraga via decision

Joseph Benavidez def. John Moraga via unanimous decision (30-27 x3).

In the main card opener, Moraga landed an early high kick but Benavidez tagged Moraga and appeared to knock him down and immediately assumed dominant top control. Benavidez went to work from top position and maintained side control. Moraga escaped the bad spot and all the submission attempts. As both men tangled along the cage for position Moraga almost lateral dropped Benavidez but Benavidez scrambled and tried to hip toss Moraga but almost gave up his back in the process. A thudding slam by Benavidez had Benavidez in control along the bottom of the cage.

In Round 2 both looked bit cautious but Moraga started tagging Benavidez with his kicks and counterstriking, It was looking like Moraga is gaining some momentum but a cut opened up via accidental headbutt at the top of Moraga's head and Benavidez wasted no time and took Moraga down along the fence. Benavidez worked his way back into side control, throwing stiff short elbows into the side of Moraga's head and later into his face.

Moraga, who knew he was down on the judges’ scorecards, came out throwing bombs and Benavidez replied. Both men traded heavy leather and wild strikes but Moraga arguably had the better success but it was a furious back and forth exchange. Soon Benavidez was able to take over with another takedown into side control. Benavidez rode out the remaining 2 minutes maintaining top position and throwing strikes to rain down the punishment.

Arlovski beat Browne via TKO

Andrei Arlovski def. Travis Browne via TKO (punches) at 4:41 of Round 1.

Who would have thought that in 2015, in one of the most memorable rounds of HW history Arlovksi will emerge not only as the victor but as a title contender in UFC HW division.

Arlovski got the action started, an early combination forced Browne backwards, he tagged him and Browne appeared to be in serious trouble. Browne retreated and Arlovksi swarmed, but he was somehow able to weather the violent storm. Browne appeared to clear the cobwebs, another backfist later on in the round dropped Browne and had him in massive trouble.

Browne got back to his feet, somehow, and out of nowhere Browne floored Arlovski with a huge right hand. But Arlovski recovered and proceeded to continue his assault on a wobbly Browne. A huge uppercut had Browne out on his feet and a big right hand followed forced the referee to intervene.

Makdessi called time-out after his jaw got smashed by Cowboy

Donald Cerrone def. John Makdessi via TKO (head kick) at 4:44 of Round 2.

while facing a short notice opponent in Makdessi, Cerrone set the tone early and tagged Makdessi with a left high kick and then another one. Makdessi caught one kick and countered with a straight right. The fight was contested on feet and it was Cerrone having the upper hand with his range, height advantage, and powerful kicks. Makdessi had a bit of success with his left hooks but was otherwise outclassed.

Cerrone started Round 2 like round 1 as he upped his volume and started battering Makdessi all over the place with some creative attack that included knees and sneaky elbows, and punches as John offered little in return the only thing working for him in again was his left hook that was finding its mark. Soon, Cerrone cracked Makdessi with a head kick, which hurt Makdessi badly and called time out as the kick broke Makdessi's Jaw and the fight was over.

The Middleweight champ retained

Chris Weidman def. Vitor Belfort via TKO (punches & elbows from mount) at 2:53 of Round 1.

It took half a round for Weidman to destroy Belfort in the co main event and defend his title in a fight which was almost one and a half year in the making.

Weidman got the action started early, with two head kicks that failed to find their mark, inside the first 30 seconds. The champ went in for a takedown and was stuffed and got hit with a knee to the body as Weidman got back to his feet he chased the retreating Brazilian, he slipped and then they returned to their feet. Belfort teed off on him in a massive flurry, but Weidman took his best shots and survived the onslaught.

Chris quickly had an easy takedown of Belfort which lead to an absolute savage ground-and-pound assault. He gained full mount, then back mount, and unloaded a series of ruthless ground-and-pound. Weidman returned to full mount and crushed Belfort with punishing punches and elbows that literally had Vitor's head bouncing off the canvas and a bloodied Weidman continued his merciless attack until the referee pulled him off and saved Vitor.

The new Light heavyweight champion

Daniel Cormier def. Anthony Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:35 of Round 3.

Tonight Cormier fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a UFC champion by submitting No 1 ranked fighter Anthony Johnson and capturing LHW title vacated by Jon Jones.

Johnson came out pumping his jab early and Cormier responded with an eye poke. After a brief stoppage, Johnson began to go to town, dropping "DC" with a clean right cross. It looked like another early finish for Johnson but he got a bit wild looking for the finish and Cormier slammed him to the mat. Johnson battled back to his feet, and bashed Cormier with a right hand, but he was ultimately unsuccessful.

In the last minute, Cormier continued to keep it close, grinding Johnson along the cage, landing short shots and then a right cross. He rode out the round by leaning on him against the fence, getting his dirty boxing going before Rumble fired back. A clear Rumble round after a stunning opening few seconds.

Both men threw with bad intentions in round two as Rumble cracked Cormier with hard kicks up high. Cormier threw kicks of his own in a wild exchange before he picked Johnson up and put him down and into his guard. Maintained position kept threatning with Kimura and that's how the round ended, with Cormier riding a struggling Johnson and nailing him with short, hard elbows. Johnson had a hard time getting up and into his corner, bleeding heavily from his left eye.

Johnson started the third frame with a rare takedown. Cormier got up quick, though, and attempted to reverse, but Johnson drilled him with a right hand but could not prevent Cormier from taking his back and placing him against the fence for punishment which lead to a rather basic rear-naked choke finish.