Cormier retains light heavyweight title in thriller over Gustafsson at UFC 192

Annnnnnnnndddddd ... STIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLL ...

After a grueling 25-minute war that showcased a little bit of everything, Daniel Cormier's title reign was intact following UFC 192 on Saturday night. Divisional bridesmaid Alexander Gustafsson proved a worthy adversary, even grabbing one of the judge's scorecards, but in the end, it was DC's night.

Cormier embraced the grind in the opening round, grounding Gustafsson with a massive slam before controlling long stretches with low-level ground-and-pound from half-guard. Gustafsson eventually worked his way back upright and landed some crisp shots of his own, but it was a case of too little, too late, and it was likely a Cormier frame.

The two engaged in a spirited little game of live action Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots in the second stanza, as each man landed some heavy shots, including some big uppercuts in the clinch by Cormier, and hard combinations at range by Gustafsson.

After Cormier battered Gustafsson with massive uppercuts in the clinch for the lion's share of the third round, the lanky Swede completely flipped the script with a mind-melting knee along the cage that sent Cormier careening to the canvas. Improbably, Cormier immediately bounced up to his feet, and somehow survived the ensuing onslaught.

Rounds four and five were a sloppy mixture of combinations, uppercuts, and kicks, as Cormier stalked a bloodied Gustafsson around the cage, while an exhausted Gustafsson jogged away and returned fire in kind.

Ultimately, the king stayed the king in Houston. That is, until the real king comes back to claim his throne.