UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier - Review and Results

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.