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D. FOX: Rapid-fire reactions to UFC 187 "Johnson vs. Cormier"
May 24, 2015 - 8:20:17 AM D. FOX: Rapid-fire reactions to UFC 187 "Johnson vs. Cormier"

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By: Dayne Fox, MMATorch Contributor

It is rare that an event as touted as UFC 187 lives up to the hype as well as it actually did. It featured a fight of the year candidate in an epic slug-fest between two heavyweights, a vicious beatdown, a couple of #1 contenders crowned, a dominant title defense, and the crowning of a new champion (legitimate or not, there is a new champion). In other words, the card featured just about everything you could reasonably ask for out of a card.

Whether one wants to admit it or not Daniel Cormier is the rightful champion at this point in the light heavyweight division. It doesn't make him the baddest man on earth in the division, as Jon Jones is still undisputed in that department, but Jones has legal issues and personal problems to resolve before he can come back and attempt to reclaim his rightful place on the throne.

Daniel Cormier defeated Anthony Johnson via submission at 2:39 of the third round

Was anyone else highly impressed by Cormier being able to survive the massive right hand that Johnson delivered? I really think that would have killed the average human being. Cormier recovered exceptionally quick from it to wear down the powerhouse with his wrestling and GNP to the point that he was able to snake his arm around Johnson's neck and elicit a tap out from him. Johnson was wobbly heading to the corner at the end of the second round, and was likely already defeated by that point. Johnson could still recover from the loss and eventually challenge for the title again soon enough, but he'll want to work on his defensive wrestling and cardio in order to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to him again. But the night was about Cormier finally making it to the top of the heap after many failed attempts to do so in his amateur and Olympic career in addition to his first attempt at the UFC gold. It's always good to see a good guy like Cormier achieve the pinnacle... even if it comes with an asterisk. How long he remains champion likely depends upon how long Jones is out of action due to his suspension. Not knowing how long that will be, Ryan Bader is the likely next candidate for a chance at the gold.


Chris Weidman defeated Vitor Belfort via TKO at 2:53 of the first round

Would Belfort have been able to finish Weidman if he was still able to use TRT? Belfort did have the champion hurt and on the ropes ever so briefly before he was simply wasting his energy trying to break through the tight defenses of the champion. Belfort was tired at that point, and couldn't stop Weidman from taking him down, getting mount, and raining down punches until the referee stepped in. The win gives Weidman three straight title defenses against Brazilian legends in Belfort, Lyoto Machida, and Anderson Silva. Weidman should be without a doubt in the conversation as the best P4P fighter in the world at this point... granted he can stay healthy. Like Cain Velazquez, that has been the biggest issue holding him back. Hopefully he can catch a wave of good luck and defend his belt regularly. Belfort is doubtful to receive a title shot again in his career, but should still be a worthwhile action fighter at the highest level.


Donald Cerrone defeated John Makdessi via TKO at 4:44 of the second round

Cerrone put on a Muay Thai clinic on Makdessi, and put on one of the worst beatings seen in quite a while. There wasn't an area of the body that Cerrone didn't put the hurt on. One final head kick that fractured Makdessi's jaw and the Canadian limped away and called it quits. To give him credit, he stood in the pocket and traded with the rangier Cerrone, and landed some good shots of his own, but nothing near what the likely #1 contender landed. If Cerrone does receive the title shot (which seems extremely likely) and he looks as sharp as he did here, it is going to be a much different story than his first fight with the champion Rafael dos Anjos. Makdessi had nothing to lose in this fight as few (if any) expected him to win. His showing was admirable and he could have won some fans with his willingness to trade, but he is going back to being an action fighter.


Andrei Arlovski defeated Travis Browne via TKO at 4:41 of the first round

Hands down, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that was one of the early favorites for the fight of the year, in addition to being one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. Most expected Arlovski's career resurgence to end here, but he rocked Browne about midway through the round and took a measured approach to finish off his former training partner. Browne was on wobbly legs for the last half of the fight, but was still able to rock and drop Arlovski with about a minute left in the round, but was unable to follow up. That allowed Arlovski back to his feet, where the former UFC champion finished the job. Arlovski isn't likely to get a title shot next, but he is possibly one victory away now and with the way he has looked his last two appearances, that doesn't seem so far-fetched. Browne is talented enough he could make his way back to contendership, but his road just got a lot longer.


Joseph Benavidez defeated John Moraga via unanimous decision

In a closer contested fight than expected, Benavidez used his wrestling advantage on Moraga to put enough distance between the two of them in the eyes of the judges to make the decision easy. Moraga utilized kicks to the legs and body very effectively, and even turned it into a dog fight briefly in the third round where he was able to rock the former title contender. Benavidez landed some good shots of his own in the exchange to make for a fun fight that left everyone happy. Unfortunately for Benavidez, he is still in a bad situation having lost to Mighty Mouse twice, meaning he is going to continue having a hard time receiving that third shot. All he can do is hope someone dethrones him Moraga is firmly entrenched in the gatekeeper role most saw him in in the first place.


John Dodson defeated Zach Makovsky via unanimous decision

It wasn't the explosive return that most expected from Dodson as he returned from knee surgery, but he was able to get the job done on a game Makovsky who made the fight much closer than expected. Dodson was never able land any of his bombs on the elusive Makovsky, and struggled to take advantage of his supposed striking advantage. The tide didn't truly turn until Dodson was able to scoop up Makovsky towards the end of the second and slam him. Dodson is still the front runner to get a shot at the champ (his second attempt), but this performance may have killed some of the steam for some. Makovsky won't be hurt by this performance, as he hung tough with one of the best in the division, but few are going to see him as more than a gatekeeper. Anyone else think a fight with Moraga is appropriate for him?


Dong Hyun Kim defeated Josh Burkman via submission at 2:13 of the third round

While it wasn't a high-energy fight, it had some very entertaining moments and was overall a fun matchup. Burkman rocked Kim in both the second and third round, but was unable to put the durable Korean away. Burkman has always been prone to submissions, and that came back to haunt him as Kim was able to achieve the side mount and slowly work for a triangle choke. Kim controlled most of the fight and needed the win if he wants to be seen as a dark horse in the title picture, but will likely need another win similar to this one to get someone ranked above him. Burkman was saved from having two losses in a row due to Hector Lombard pissing hot, and I see no reason he won't be back. Expect a significant step down in competition though.


Rafael Natal defeated Uriah Hall via split decision

This fight could have gone either way, as Natal controlled the grappling aspect while Hall was clearly the superior striker. Personally, I had Hall winning the fight, taking the first and third round, but I'm not going to complain with Natal being awarded the decision. This qualifies as Natal's biggest win by far and gives him three in a row. He very well could receive a ranked opponent in his next bout, but he has fallen short by a wide margin in his previous attempts at similar steps up in competition. Hall was visibly disgusted when the decision was read, but he didn't do enough to take a definitive decision. He isn't a prospect as many like to think he is (he turns 31 in July), but he still has room and time to improve thanks to his popularity.


Colby Covington defeated Mike Pyle via unanimous decision

Outside of a late kimura turned bulldog choke by Pyle at the end of the third round, the fight was basically Covington beating up Pyle in the clinch and in his guard. In other words: this was not a very fun fight to watch. The best strike was a low blow to Pyle... seriously. Despite being a poor fight aesthetically, it was a big win for Covington, easily the best of his career. He'll have a lot of eyes on him to see if he can develop any worthwhile standup from range, as he has the grappling and clinch down pat. Pyle is an expensive veteran and at 39, near the end of the road. He very well could be cut at his salary.


Islam Makhachev defeated Leo Kuntz via submission at 2:38 of the second round

Makhachev looked exactly like you would expect a guy who trains with Khabib Nurmagomedov to look, as he dominated the fight from close range with dirty boxing and wrestling, not allowing Kuntz to gain an inch at any point in the fight. He was able to lock things up with a RNC in the second and immediately established himself as a youngster to watch in the lightweight division. Kuntz hadn't beaten anyone worthwhile upon his UFC debut and it showed that he wasn't ready for the step up that Makhachev posed. He'll certainly get another chance, but expectations will be low.


Justin Scoggins defeated Josh Sampo via unanimous decision

Even though Scoggins received 30-27 scores across the board, the fight was closer than the scores indicated as Sampo had clearly worked to sharpen his striking skills. Unfortunately for him, Scoggins' reach and karate background proved too much to overcome, and Sampo wasn't able to match the output. Scoggins even mixed in a takedown in the final round to show he has been continually been working on his improving wrestling game. The win saved Scoggins' job, and may have made the 23 year old someone fans are excited about again. Sampo is likely going to be cut with his third loss in a row, which is a bit of a shame as he is better than many others with secure roster spots.