Did Cormier cheat on his 2nd attempt to make weight for UFC 210?
Daniel Cormier may have done enough for the New York State Athletic Commission, but not everyone is convinced he miraculously made weight in two minutes and change Friday morning.
The reigning UFC light heavyweight champ came in 1.2 pounds over the limit for divisional title bouts in his first attempt to weigh in ahead of Saturday's date with Anthony Johnson at UFC 210.
When given a second chance to tip the scales mere minutes later, he appeared to have shed the excess poundage. However, a naked Cormier can be clearly seen pushing down on the towel held in front of him in the video below. That tactic can reportedly deceive the scale, and in this case, may have allowed Cormier to hit his target and keep the card's main event afloat.
Tomada de peso oficial #UFC210noCombate: Cormier precisou da toalha para Bater o peso! pic.twitter.com/0vp20X2RYT
— Combate (@canalCombate) April 7, 2017
So a MMA trainer texted me saying you can easily "lose" one pound holding the towel the way DC did the second time.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) April 7, 2017
Related: Cormier, Johnson narrowly make weight in dramatic fashion for UFC 210
NYSAC executive director Anthony Giardina later cited a commission guideline allowing fighters competing in championship bouts a second chance to make weight within two hours of a failed first attempt.
When asked if he knew how Cormier managed to shed the extra weight so quickly, Giardina chalked it up to "excessive sweat" and appeared content with how the dramatic proceedings ended, despite being told the fighter held on to the towel during his second weigh-in.