Daniel Cormier nearly lost his UFC light heavyweight title on the scales on Friday, and he made sure he didn’t lose it to Anthony Johnson in the UFC 210 main event on Saturday night. As was the case at UFC 187, Cormier won by rear-naked choke. Unlike the first fight, Johnson bizarrely chose to grapple and wrestle with the champion.
Johnson started the fight with big shots before closing the distance and working on a takedown. Cormier prevented the takedown against the fence and elbows Johnson to the head a la Travis Browne-Josh Barnett. Johnson curiously persisted with the takedown for reasons unknown. Big John McCarthy separated them, and Johnson fired off a body kick and a head kick before shooting again. Johnson took Cormier down at the horn to end round 1.
It appeared as if Cormier broke his nose when Rumble head kicked him. Cormier caught a Johnson kick early in the second round and a clinch battle ensued. Johnson took Cormier down briefly, then DC got back up and took him down, plus had control of his back. He punched Johnson numerous times before sinking in the fight-ending rear-naked choke.
Official result: Daniel Cormier def. Anthony Johnson by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:37 of round 2 to retain the UFC light heavyweight championship
In a stunning announcement, Johnson announced his retirement from the sport, citing that he committed himself to another job. That makes for two retirements at UFC 210, as Patrick Cote hung up the gloves after losing to Thiago Alves.