Cormier submits Johnson again to retain 205-lb title at UFC 210
The second and final chapter of the Daniel Cormier-Anthony Johnson story was much like the first.
In a rematch of a May 2015 clash that Cormier won by submission, he once again defeated "Rumble" in a light heavyweight title fight with a rear-naked choke, this time in the second round of the main event of UFC 210 on Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y.:
🚨#UFC210 :#DanielCormier reste le 🏆Lourds-Legers enbattant #AnthonyJohnson par étranglement arrière Rd2.#CopierColler #AndStill pic.twitter.com/WoUeFKj3AT
— FREQUENCE MMA (@FqMMA) April 9, 2017
It was the second consecutive successful title defense for Cormier and he improved to 19-1 in his career, with his only loss coming at the hands of rival Jon Jones.
Post-fight, Cormier addressed his rivals at ringside.
He told Jones that he needs to clear up his USADA suspension before even thinking about stepping back into the cage with him (Jones is expected to be eligible for competition again in July), and then ordered No. 4-ranked contender Jimi Manuwa to sit down and not get ahead of himself.
After his championship performance on Saturday, Cormier was understandably fired up.
Johnson caught Cormier and everyone off guard to start the fight as he chose to initiate the grappling, a strategy that seemed disadvantageous for the explosive knockout artist. Unsurprisingly, Cormier managed to reverse position as they worked against the cage:
#UFC210 ¿Qué tal el primer asalto? #CormierVsJohnson2 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/ZQjeoL6o60
— Viva Nicaragua (@VivaNicaragua13) April 9, 2017
When they were separated, Johnson found success with his feared striking prowess. He landed a kick to Cormier's face that appeared to break his nose and it looked like Johnson was up on the scorecards after Round 1.
Rumble landing in the first#UFC210 pic.twitter.com/HAOdJMl2Qt
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) April 9, 2017
If Cormier was injured, he didn't show it in the second period.
He shrugged off a Johnson takedown before setting up one of his own and quickly taking Johnson's back. An exhausted Johnson could only defend against Cormier's submission attack for so long and he ended up giving in to a rear-naked choke, just as he did in their first meeting.
Afterwards, the 33-year-old Johnson shocked everyone by announcing that he is retiring from the sport of MMA after competing since August 2006.
Related: Anthony Johnson retires after losing rematch to Cormier at UFC 210