UFC 187 live results & recap: Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson, Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort
By Dave Meltzer & Ryan Frederick, WrestlingObserver.com
Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event, headlined by two title fights, airs on pay-per-view, with preliminary card action on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. We have a preview for the event HERE and coverage of the weigh-ins HERE. We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s fight card, so you can send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle as well as a best fight and worst fight to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.
As noted, a women’s strawweight bout between Rose Namajunas and Nina Ansaroff has been scratched from the card due to Ansaroff falling ill.
PRELIMS:
JUSTIN SCOGGINS VS. JOSH SAMPO, FLYWEIGHTS
First round: Nice spinning head kick by Scoggins. Front kick by Scoggins. Nice left landed by Scoggins and a spin kick to the body. Nice spin kick to the head by Scoggins. Sampo tried for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Left by Scoggins. Body kick by Scoggins. Body kick back by Sampo. Another body kick by Scoggins. Knee by Scoggins 10-9 Scoggins. Pretty one-sided.
Second round: More kicks by Scoggins. Spin kick by Scoggins. Hook kick by Scoggins. Front kick by Scoggins. Right by Sampo. Sampo got the takedown. Scoggins right back up. Hard body kick by Scoggins. Left jab put Sampo down momentarily. Body kick by Scoggins. Sampo with a right. Sampo tried for a takedown but didn’t get it. 20-18 Scoggins.
Third round: Spin kick to the body. Sampo took him down. Scoggins back up. Body kick by Scoggins. Scoggins got the takedown late in the round. Close round, Scoggins won the fight easily. Scoggins, this round was close and you could almost give it to Sampo. 30-27 Scoggins.
Official Result: Justin Scoggins def. Josh Sampo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS. LEO KUNTZ LIGHTWEIGHTS
First round: Makhachev with a judo throw and now has his back. He’s working for a choke. Kuntz out and got back to his feet. Makhachev with short range uppercuts. Head kick by Makhachev. Makhachv with uppercuts and got a hip toss into side control. Makhachev 10-9
Second round: Right by Makhahev. Makhachev gt his back afer a takedown and is agin working for a choke. He’s got the choke now and it’s over. 2:38
Official Result: Islam Makhachev def. Leo Kuntz by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:38 of Round 2
MIKE PYLE VS. COLBY COVINGTON, WELTERWEIGHTS
Round 1: Covington is undefeated and was a college roommate of Jon Jones. Pyle is a big-time veteran. Covington took this fight on short notice. Pyle misses a front kick to start. Covington misses a left hand but lands a combo and shoots in for a takedown against the fence. They battle against the fence as Covington works to take it to the mat but Pyle has solid defense. They battle for the underhooks and Pyle spins out and makes a takedown attempt. They remain clinched against the fence and Covington lands a low knee that gets a little too low and we have a break. We get back to action. Covington with a head kick. Covington lands a nice left hand and then a combo. Pyle lands a right hand counter and Covington shoots for the takedown and they battle against the fence.
Covington with some short right hands but Pyle breaks it. Covington lands a left and clinches back up with Pyle. Knee to the body from Pyle against the fence. Covington grabs a leg as Pyle rolls for a kimura and they go to the mat for a second but get right back up. Covington grabs the back and Pyle grabs the fence to defend. Covington gets the takedown and goes into half-guard. Pyle looking to throw his legs up and looks for the neck. Covington with a left elbow. Covington with some left hands from the top. Covington postures up and goes back into Pyle’s guard. Covington with more left hands to the body from the top and then some right hands to the body. Pyle looks to set up a triangle but abandons it. Covington rides the round out on top with left hands to the body. 10-9 Covington.
Round 2: Covington goes right for the takedown against the fence but Pyle defends it and they break. Pyle with a front kick to the face. Covington lands a right hook but Pyle clips him coming forward. Covington lands a combo and then grabs the back of Pyle. Pyle grabs the wrist and looks to set a kimura up but lets go. Covington looks to take it down but Pyle grabs the fence again. Covington gets the fight to the ground and gets on top. Covington moves to side control against the fence. Pyle looks for the armbar but doesn’t have it and Covington goes into the guard. Pyle with an elbow from the bottom. Covington with a big elbow from the guard. Covington with body shots from the top. Covington with an elbow from the top as he postures up. Covington just dominant from the top position right now. Covington with two more short elbows and then another. Covington with a big left hand from the top. Covington with some punches. They are stood up by referee Herb Dean. Covington with a left hand. Covington misses badly on a high kick but lands a left hand and then lands another. Pyle is cut under his eye. Covington with a big overhand right. The round concludes. 10-9 Covington, 20-18 Covington.
Round 3: Pyle probably needs a finish to win barring some weird judging scores. Pyle with a leg kick. Pyle with a flying knee and Covington grabs the legs looking for a takedown. Pyle grabs the neck and looks for the choke but Covington shakes him off and they scramble and Covington ends up on top. Pyle with an elbow from the bottom and then another. Covington with a big elbow from the top and then some body punches. Covington with a left hand from the top. More body punches from the top by Covington. Right hand from the top by Covington. Covington with more punches from the top. Covington is bleeding but dominant. Covington looks to transition to side control but remains in the guard. More body punches from Covington.
Pyle tries to use the fence to wall walk to his feet but Covington has him grasped. Pyle looking for a kimura from the bottom. Covington defending and he gets out but Pyle reverses positions and is in full mount over Covington. Pyle tries to break the grip of Covington. Pyle transitions to the back and is looking for the choke as he lands punches. Pyle has the neck and the choke but Covington scrambles out and gets into the guard. That was close as Pyle went for the finish to win. Covington in top position and he will ride the fight out there and finish with punches. 10-9 Covington, 30-27 Covington.
Official Result: Colby Covington def. Mike Pyle by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS: URIAH HALL VS. RAFAEL NATAL
Round 1: These two got into it a little bit at the weigh-ins and Hall is anxious to get the fight started as he got in the face of Natal after entering the Octagon. Natal kicked Hall right in the groin as they got to action. It definitely looked intentional. Natal with a leg kick. Natal with a leg kick and then a combo. Natal lands a leg kick but Hall counters with a right hand. Hall with a spin kick to the body. Natal with a leg kick from the southpaw position. Natal with a right hand. Natal misses a right hand. Hall with a head kick. Hall with a leg kick and a left hook. Hall with a front kick to the body. Natal with an inside leg kick. Hall with a switch kick to the body. Natal with a combo and an inside leg kick. Natal with a right hand. Hall lands a solid jab. Natal with another leg kick and then a short left. Natal goes for a takedown but it is stuffed by Hall. Hall just misses a spinning wheel kick. Hall blocks a head kick from Natal. Natal misses an overhand right. Hall lands a big head kick and then another as he countered an inside leg kick from Natal. Hall with a spinning back kick to the body. Natal misses a spinning back fist. Natal with a body kick and then lands a combo. Hall with a straight left hand and then a head kick. Hall moving around nicely. Natal has a takedown stuffed and gets it for a moment against the fence and grabs the back and lands some knees. He fights for the takedown against the fence as the round ends. Close round. 10-9 Hall.
Round 2: They trade punches. Hall with an inside leg kick. Natal is smiling at Hall as Hall is on the attack. Hall lands a jab. Natal with a leg kick. Hall with a body kick. Natal misses a big right hand. Natal with a leg kick and they exchange punches. Natal ducks under a punch from Hall and scores a takedown and is in half-guard. Natal looks to pin down the arm. Natal moves into the full guard of Hall. Natal with some short punches from the top. Natal with some body punches. Both with punches on the ground. Natal pushes Hall to the fence and steps over to half-guard. Hall gets to his feet and looks to break. Natal has Hall’s back against the fence and lands some knees to the thigh. Natal has the body lock and looks for the takedown but Hall gets free and they go to the center. Hall with a knee to the body and a head kick. Hall misses a head kick and Natal misses one. Natal with an inside leg kick. Hall shoots for the takedown against the fence but Natal defends. Hall picks Natal up and slams him but Natal gets right back up. Hall has the back. Hall with a suplex to the mat and they battle to end the round. 10-9 Natal, 19-19.
Round 3: We have a close fight heading to the final round. Hall looks for a quick jab. Hall with an inside leg kick. Hall with a jab to the body. Natal with a leg kick. Hall with a leg kick. Hall just misses a wheel kick to the body. Hall with an inside leg kick. Natal with a jab. Hall with a knee to the body. Natal lands a nice right hand. Hall with a head kick and then stuffs a takedown attempt from Natal. Natal lands a right hand. Natal with a weak right hand. Hall with a leg kick and then a high kick. Natal lands a leg kick. Hall with a leg kick. Hall lands a nice jab and Natal misses a wild overhand right. Natal with a right hand as the pace has slowed down. Natal with a couple of right hands. Natal with a body kick. Natal grabs the leg and pushes Hall to the fence looking to get the fight down to the mat. They get warned to work. Natal just holding the leg. Hall defending well. They are broken up by the referee. They trade punches. Hall with a spin kick to the arms. Natal misses a takedown but lands a left on the break. Hall misses a high kick as the fight ends. 10-9 Hall, 29-28 Hall.
Official Result: Rafael Natal def. Uriah Hall by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
WELTERWEIGHTS: DONG HYUN KIM VS. JOSH BURKMAN
Round 1: Both men look to rebound from losses (though Burkman’s was later changed to a no contest). Burkman with a leg kick to start and he blocks a takedown attempt from Kim. Kim with a front kick. Burkman with a right hand and then a high kick. Burkman with a combo and then a leg kick and a right hand that follows. Burkman with a nice combo and they clinch against the fence. Kim looks to grab the neck against the fence but Burkman defends. They scramble against the fence and Kim has the body lock. Kim has the back and is trying to drag the fight to the ground.
Kim with a knee and they go to the mat for a moment but get back up and Burkman has the body lock on Kim. Burkman with a knee to the body. Kim switches and lands a knee to the body and spins to the back. Kim climbs on the back of Burkman. Kim with some left hands as he has standing full back mount. Kim with more left hands from the back. Kim looks for the choke with just over a minute left. Burkman has a hand in the way and Kim gives it up. Kim looking to trip Burkman to the mat as he rides the back. Burkman with a back left hand and Kim lands a knee as the round ends. 10-9 Kim.
Round 2: Kim with a body kick and a high kick. Burkman with a leg kick. Kim with a high kick and slips to the mat and Burkman lands a left. Burkman lands a series of punches to Kim against the fence but they separate. Kim with a right hand and a body punch and Burkman drags the fight to the mat. Kim with some elbows to the side of Burkman. They scramble and Kim looks for a takedown. Kim looking to set up a choke as he ties the legs up. Kim with some punches from the back. Kim tying up the arm and looking for the crucifix. Kim with some left hands. Kim with more left hands and Burkman isn’t doing much. Kim with lots of short punches. Burkman tries to sneak out but Kim still has the arm trapped. Fans booing as Kim continues to land a lot of punches. Kim switches to an elbow. Kim with more punches as he has the arm of Burkman trapped. Kim with more punches and hard elbows. Burkman looks to roll over. Kim with more punches and lands big shots. Kim gets up and lands a knee to the body as the round ends. Big round for Kim. 10-8 Kim, 20-17 Kim.
Round 3: Burkman needs a finish in the final round. Burkman with a body kick and an uppercut and right hand a knee. Burkman with a flying knee and he has Kim hurt and is looking for a finish. Big combo from Burkman but he steps away and Kim is recovering. Kim with a front kick. Kim with a left hand and he grabs the body and drags the fight down. Burkman grabs the neck for a guillotine but Kim moves to side control. Burkman lets go of the neck. Kim in side control and looking for the arm-triangle. Kim has a knee to the belly and looks to step over and work for the choke. Kim has it locked a little but is still in the wrong position. He needs to hop over but has pressure on. Kim steps over and has it locked in and Burkman taps out! Kim winner by submission with the arm-triangle in a dominant performace.
Official Result: Dong Hyun Kim def. Josh Burkman by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:13 of Round 3
FLYWEIGHTS: JOHN DODSON VS. ZACH MAKOVSKY
Round 1: Dodson returns from a knee injury and could get a title shot at Demetrious Johnson with a win here. They trade leg kicks. Dodson tags Makovsky with a short left hand as he circles around. They clinch for a moment. Dodson lands a left hand. Makovsky lands a left hand. Makovsky with a straight left hand that gets a smile from Dodson. Makovsky misses a takedown. They trade punches in the clinch. Dodson with a right hand to the body and they tie up for a moment. Both men fighting as southpaws. Makovsky goes for a takedown but it is defended. Makovsky misses a head kick. Makovsky lands a nice right hand. Makovsky lands a left and a knee as they clinch for a moment. They trade punches. Makovsky with an inside leg kick but Dodson returns a leg kick of his own. Makovsky misses a shoot at a takedown. Dodson with a leg kick and Makovsky lands a kick of his own. Dodson with a left hand. Dodson with a knee to the body in a brief clinch. The round ends with a clinch. 10-9 Makovsky.
Round 2: Makovsky with a right hand to the body. Makovsky with a left hand and a leg kick. They tie up and Dodson lands a kick to the body and a knee. Makovsky has a high kick checked by Dodson. Makovsky lands a nice combination. Makovsky with an eye poke but they continue. Dodson with a leg kick and they scramble against the fence. They tie up but break. Makovski with a left hand. Makovsky with a leg kick. Dodson lands an overhand left and then a combo to the body as he misses a right hand over the top. Makovsky with an inside leg kick and misses a high kick. Makovsky goes for a takedown but it is defended and Dodson lands a combo.
Makovsky with an inside leg kick. Dodson with a short uppercut. Both still somewhat tentative. Dodson misses a big left hand. Makovsky lands a head kick. They trade punches. They each land leg kicks and Makovsky takes Dodson down but gets right back up. Dodson gets a big slam and has Makovsky down and is on top. Makovsky grabs the leg but Dodson steps over and stays on top. Dodson helps Makovsky up and they go to the center to end the round. Close round. 10-9 Dodson, 19-19.
Round 3: This round will decide it. They hug to start. Dodson just misses a big left hand and Makovsky just misses an inside leg kick. Makovsky with an inside leg kick. They trade punches. Makovsky with a body kick. Neither man is able to land and the crowd begins to boo. Makovsky misses a takedown attempt. Dodson has a combo that Makovsky ducks under. Dodson misses an uppercut. Makovsky shoots in and Dodson stuffs the takedown and they clinch. Dodson with some knees to the body in the clinch and they break. They trade punches and Dodson lands a short uppercut. Makovsky with a right hook. Dodson with a combination. Dodson lands a left hand and a knee to the body followed by a short left. Makovsky goes for a takedown but eats a knee from Dodson. Makovsky with a body kick and Dodson counters with a quick takedown. Back to their feet. Dodson with a knee to the body to defend a takedown. Makovsky misses a left hand. A late takedown attempt misses from Makovsky. They trade punches and the fight ends. Boring last round and close. 10-9 Dodson, 29-28 Dodson.
Official Result: John Dodson def. Zach Makovsky by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
MAIN CARD (PPV- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT):
FLYWEIGHTS: JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS. JOHN MORAGA
Round 1: Both men have 2-fight win streaks and have fought for the flyweight title. Moraga with a right hand and they trade early. Moraga with a leg kick. Moraga with a head kick and Benavidez tags Moraga and he goes to the mat. Benavidez with a bunch of punches and he gets on top and in side control. They scramble and Benavidez has the neck of Moraga. Benavidez is looking for the guillotine choke but Moraga is trying to hip escape. Benavidez in side control and looking to mount. Benavidez went for the choke but Moraga scrambled out and looked for the neck as he dropped to the mat but Benavidez ends on top against the fence.
Moraga gets to the feet against the fence and they are clinched. Moraga with knees to the body. Moraga looks for the takedown but it is defended. They trade knees against the fence as both look for the takedown in the clinch. They trade knees again. Benavidez with an elbow and Moraga drops down for a takedown and gets a takedown and Moraga takes the back in a wild scramble. Moraga has the body lock against the fence. Moraga with knee to the body and grabs the neck. Big slam from Benavidez and he is on top with 30 seconds left. Benavidez grabs the neck and looks for the choke but the round is going to end. 10-9 Benavidez.
Round 2: Moraga with a body kick and Benavidez comes back with a leg kick. Moraga with an inside leg kick. They trade punches in an exchange. Benavidez lands a combo and a leg kick but Moraga comes back with an uppercut. Moraga with a leg kick. Benavidez comes back with a leg kick and Moraga counters with one. Benavidez with a leg kick and they exchange punches. Moraga with a big body kick and then another one. Moraga misses a big left hook but lands a right hand. Moraga with a straight right hand. They clinch and Benavidez looks for a takedown. Moraga is cut on the top of his head, likely as they collided heads. Benavidez gets the takedown against the fence and Moraga is looking for the guillotine. Moraga has the neck but Benavidez gets his head free. Benavidez gets into side control and grinds an elbow in the face of Moraga. Benavidez with a knee to the body and finishes the round in side control. 10-9 Benavidez, 20-18 Benavidez.
Round 3: Benavidez misses a leg kick to start the final round. Moraga with a combo and they are trading big exchanges. Moraga lands a knee and just misses a right hand. Moraga backs Benavidez against the fence and tries for a flying knee but Benavidez stops it with a front kick. They change punches. Benavidez with a body kick. Benavidez gets the takedown and goes right back into side control. Benavidez with some short elbows. Moraga gets back to full guard. Benavidez with some punches from the top. Benavidez postures up and lands an elbow. Benavidez wth another elbow from the top. Benavidez with more punches from the top. Moraga not doing much from the bottom. Benavidez with more short punches from the top. More punches from the top by Benavidez. Benavidez with a big right hand from the top. Moraga has the body lock from the bottom and Benavidez rides the fight out with punches from the top. 10-9 Benavidez, 30-27 Benavidez.
Official Result: Joseph Benavidez def. John Moraga by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
HEAVYWEIGHTS: TRAVIS BROWNE VS. ANDREI ARLOVSKI
Round 1: These two have trained and lived together in the past and are looking for a title shot. Arlovski with an inside leg kick. Arlovski with a combo. Browne with a right hand to the body. Browne with a right hand and Arlovski lands a right hand that rocks Browne and Browne is in trouble. Arlovski with a combo against the fence but Browne survives and they break. Arlovski with more punches and Browne is still in trouble. They separate and Browne has recovered for now. They trade right hands. Arlovski misses a big right hand. Browne with a left hook that lands. Arlovski with another big punch that rocks Browne.
Arlovski rocks Browne again and Browne is in all sorts of trouble. Arlovski with more punches and he tags Browne again. Browne is still up. Browne with a leg kick. Browne with another leg kick. They trade punches. Arlovski with a combo and just misses a big right hand. Arlovski drops Browne with a right hand and Browne is in trouble again. Browne is on wobbly legs and Arlovski is landing again. Browne then lands a big right hand that drops Arlovski. They are both swinging for the fences and both are hurt. Arlovski with a big right hand and an elbow. They break. What an amazing right. They trade punches and Browne is wobbling bad. Arlovski with a big right hand and Browne is hurt and the referee stops it! Arlovski gets the TKO win after finishing it against the fence. Go out of your way to watch this fight, it was an amazing and crazy fight.
Official Result: Andrei Arlovski def. Travis Browne by TKO (punches) at 4:41 of Round 1
LIGHTWEIGHTS: DONALD CERRONE VS. JOHN MAKDESSI
Round 1: Cerrone has seven straight wins and gets a title shot with another win here. Cerrone with a switch kick early and a big inside leg kick. Cerrone with a leg kick and then a body kick. Makdessi lands a left hand. Cerrone with a leg kick. They exchange punches. Cerrone rocks Makdessi with a head kick and then lands another head kick and a leg kick. Cerrone with a jab but misses a head kick. Cerrone with another head kick. Cerrone with a leg kick. Cerrone with a quick knee. Cerrone with a leg kick and then a big body kick. Makdessi with a right hand. Cerrone with a nice combo. Cerrone just misses a head kick. He misses another but lands a leg kick. Makdessi with a jab. Cerrone with a combo. Cerrone with a leg kick. Makdessi with a spin kick that lands. Cerrone with a leg kick. Both land right hands. 10-9 Cerrone.
Round 2: They trade punches and leg kicks. Big knee from Cerrone followed by a solid combo has Makdessi in trouble and bleeding. Leg kick from Cerrone. Cerrone with a jab. Makdessi lands a combo. They trade punches again and Makdessi lands a left hook. Cerrone with a big uppercut and a combo. Cerrone with a combo and a leg kick but Makdessi lands a counter left hand. Cerrone with another combo. They trade punches. Cerrone misses a head kick. Cerrone with an elbow and a leg kick. Cerrone controlling the action here. Makdessi lands a punch. Cerrone a leg kick. Makdessi misses a spin kick. Cerrone lands a head kick and Makdessi quits! Makdessi verbally quits while standing. He looked to call timeout. He has a broken jaw and is done due to injury and Cerrone wins.
Official Result: Donald Cerrone def. John Makdessi by TKO (kick) at 4:44 of Round 2
UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: CHRIS WEIDMAN (C) VS. VITOR BELFORT
Round 1: The long-awaited title fight is here. Belfort looks noticeably smaller. Weidman with an early head kick. Weidman with another head kick that just misses. Weidman misses a right hand. Wediman misses a takedown. Belfort stumbles and Weidman goes after Belfort and Belfort has Weidman in trouble. Belfort with some big punches in the clinch but Weidman covers up. Belfort with the big flurry. Weidman gets the takedown and is on top and in half-guard. Weidman is cut open. Weidman with posture and big punches from the top. Weidman goes to the mount and is reigning down hammerfists. Belfort gives up his back but is in a lot of trouble. Big punches from the top as Weidman looks to finish. Lots of punches from Weidman and big elbows. Big trouble and this is over! Weidman finishes Belfort from the mount in the first round. Weidman remains the champion with a first-round TKO and a big statement win.
Official Result: Chris Weidman def. Vitor Belfort by TKO (strikes) at 2:53 of Round 1 to remain UFC Middleweight Champion
UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: ANTHONY JOHNSON VS. DANIEL CORMIER
Round 1: This decides the new champion at 205 pounds. Johnson with a leg kick after an eye poke. Johnson drops Cormier with a right hand right away but Cormier gets right back up after Johnson misses a right hand and Cormier has the back. Cormier with a slam on Johnson and looks to grab the neck as he has the back. Cormier looking for the takedown against the fence. Johnson with big punches as Cormier has his leg. Johnson spins out but Cormier still has the neck. Cormier with the pressure. They are on the feet but Cormier still has Johnson’s head trapped. Johnson with a head kick on the break. They swing wildly. Johnson with a head kick. Cormier with the jab. Cormier initiates a clinch against the fence. Johnson with a but punch and they have a wild exchange to end the round. 10-9 Johnson
Round 2: Johnson with a leg kick and then a big right hand. Johnson with a head kick and an overhand right. Johnson with a kick but Cormier grabs the leg and looks for the takedown. Cormier picks Johnson up and slams him down and goes into half-guard. Cormier with punches from the top. Cormier with a hard elbow. Cormier grabbing the arm and looking for the kimura from the side. Cormier grabs it again and is going for it. He lets go. Cormier with more left hands from the half-guard. Cormier going for the kimura again. He lets go again. Cormier with punches from the top. Johnson tries to hip escape out from the bottom but can’t get out from under Cormier. They trade punches on the mat. Cormier with short elbows from the top. Johnson is cut open and gives up the back. He survives the round. Dominant round from Cormier. 10-8 Cormier, 19-18 Cormier.
Round 3: Cormier with a leg kick. They exchange wildly and Johnson lands a head kick. Johnson goes for a takedown but Cormier stuffs it. Cormier with hammerfists against the fence. Johnson gets Cormier down for a moment but Cormier gets back up. They switch and Johnson is breathing heavily. Cormier gets the back of Johnson against the fence. Johnson reverses and grabs the leg but isn’t doing much with it. Cormier spins around and takes the back and starts to land punches. Cormier gets the full back and has the neck and looks for the choke. Cormier gets the rear-naked choke in and Johnson taps out! Cormier is the new light heavyweight champion as he submits a gassed out Johnson.
Official Result: Daniel Cormier def. Anthony Johnson by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:39 of Round 3 to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
The main card was one heck of a show and worth seeing.