UFC 187 Results: ‘Johnson vs. Cormier’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Justin Scoggins vs. Josh Sampo

Round 1

Scoggins slaps the body of Sampo with kicks from the southpaw stance, then switches to orthodox and attacks the lead leg of “The Gremlin.” Sampo tries to get inside and tie up a few times in the opening minute, but Scoggins just shoves him away and slips back out of range. When Sampo lands a solid right straight in a combination, Scoggins grabs for Sampo’s leg and fakes a shot to slow his roll. Back in the southpaw stance, Scoggins keeps up his kicking offense and now mixes in some hard left hands. Sampo shoots a high double and gets sprawled upon. Sampo snaps back Scoggins’ head with a lead left hook, but he’s only able to touch “Tank” with one punch before the karate stylist escapes. Sampo continues walking forward on Scoggins in the final minute of the round, and Scoggins gives him another straight left to the grill. Scoggins ends the round with a switch kick and a pair of punches, then a hard knee to the body of Sampo.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Scoggins

Round 2

A hook kick to the face sends Sampo to the ground in the early seconds of round two, but Scoggins doesn’t pounce and wants his opponent back on his feet. Sampo looks more tentative now, not doing much to close the distance as Scoggins keeps a wide stance on the outside. Sampo lands a clubbing left hand and tries to wrap up Scoggins with a body lock, but Scoggins wriggles out. Scoggins lands a clean front kick, a straight right and a two-piece combo. With just over two minutes remaining, Sampo catches a kick and rushes Scoggins against the fence. Scoggins fends off the takedown and nearly spins to take Sampo’s back, but Sampo shakes him off and the flyweights scramble back to their feet. Sampo puts a hard kick on Scoggins’ body and follows through with a right cross. “The Gremlin” ducks under a Scoggins hook and tries another takedown, but Scoggins snuffs it out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Scoggins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Scoggins

Round 3

Sampo is immediately able to get a little closer to Scoggins than in previous rounds, as the striker’s offensive output has started to drop off. Still, Scoggins is able to wheel up and touch Sampo’s face with another hook kick. Sampo stays standing after this one but still can’t find any success with his clinch or takedown attempts. Scoggins backs him up with a side kick to the gut, covers up as Sampo rushes forward with a combination and then counters with a body shot. Sampo bounces off the cage and drives the off-balance Scoggins to the ground a few feet away from the fence. Scoggins wraps up Sampo, who peppers the grounded man with body shots while referee Mark Smith makes a hasty call for action. Scoggins gets pushed over to the fence and works his way back up, but he’s caught by a standing elbow from Sampo which opens a small cut near the left eye. Sampo hits a takedown in the closing seconds and finishes the fight on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Scoggins (30-27 Scoggins)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Scoggins (30-27 Scoggins)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Scoggins (30-27 Scoggins)

The Official Result

Justin Scoggins def. Josh Sampo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Islam Makhachev vs. Leo Kuntz

Round 1

Makhachev touches Kuntz with a couple left hands before closing the distance and putting the American’s back against the fence. Kuntz pushes off and circles out to the right, drawing the Dagestani southpaw back to the middle of the cage. Makhachev tosses Kuntz over his hip, jumps on his back and sinks in both hooks. Kuntz buries his head and leans forward, blocking Makhachev’s rear-naked choke attempt while slowly sliding out the back door. Makhachev jumps off Kuntz’s back midway through the round, and now the lightweights reset on the feet. A left hand to the body connects for Makhachev, then a step-in elbow upstairs. Kuntz responds with a pair of low kicks, then sends a right high kick off Makhachev’s forearms. Makhachev rushes into the pocket, grabs the collar tie and hits Kuntz with three or four solid uppercuts. Now it’s another takedown from Makhachev, landing in side control on Kuntz’s right side with 30 seconds on the clock. Makhachev ends the round with a few hammer fists to the head of Kuntz.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Makhachev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Makhachev
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Makhachev

Round 2

Kuntz walks into a pair of hooks from Makhachev, steps back and then eats a big uppercut the next time he tries to move inside. Again, Kuntz steps into the pocket and gets checked with a short counter hook. The next shot from Makhachev sends Kuntz to his knees, and Makhachev takes his back again. Makhachev switches from hook to a body triangle, then begins pawing at Kuntz with punches, trying to open up his neck for a rear-naked choke. Makhachev finds his opening, snakes his left arm underneath Kuntz’s chin and pulls him backward to force a tap with the RNC.

The Official Result

Islam Makhachev def. Leo Kuntz via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:38

Mike Pyle vs. Colby Covington

Round 1

Covington swings a few punches to close the distance and shoots for Pyle’s legs, pushing the veteran against the fence with a high double-leg attempt. Pyle hooks Covington’s arms and brings him back up, spins him around and drops for a takedown of his own. Covington reverses him and throws a low knee inside which drops Pyle to the ground in agony. Referee Herb Dean calls time for the groin shot, and Pyle takes a minute to recover from the accidental foul. The welterweights resume 90 seconds into the round, and a few seconds later, Covington is shooting for another takedown. Pyle shoves him away, but Covington hits him with an overhand left and comes right back inside. Pyle uses a kimura to try and escape this time, but Covington turns to take Pyle’s back with a rear waist lock. Three minutes into the round, Covington finally gets the takedown, and now Pyle shifts between open and closed guard while Covington scoots him around the outside. The final 90 seconds transpire without much offense to speak of, just Covington keeping top pressure and landing the occasional body shot while Pyle looks for a submission opening which doesn’t materialize.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Covington
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Covington
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Covington

Round 2

Covington shoots for a takedown instantly but has to back out when Pyle threatens to snare him in a guillotine choke. The taller Pyle flicks out jabs, trying to keep his distance from Covington, who again swings his way into range with overhand punches, a few of which clip Pyle’s head. Covington gets the rear waist lock again and gets another takedown on Pyle, who is warned for grabbing the fence on the way down. Pyle throws up an armbar, but Covington scoots backward, yanks his left arm free and then comes back to reset in Pyle’s guard. Covington starts getting busy with punches from top position, throwing left hands to Pyle’s ribs and face. Pyle briefly applies a body triangle from underneath as he tries to slow Covington’s offense. Covington isn’t doing enough for referee Dean, who brings the fights back to their feet with 50 seconds on the clock. Pyle hits Covington with a stiff jab, a step-in knee to the gut. Covington swings big punches in return but can’t come up with anything clean before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Covington
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Covington
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Covington

Round 3

Pyle leaps into range with a flying knee and then sprawls as Covington tries to rush him to the ground. “Quicksand” catches the wrestler with a guillotine, but Covington breaks loose and completes the takedown 45 seconds into the final frame. Covington drops a couple elbows through Pyle’s closed guard, then goes back to landing left hands to the body. Pyle swivels underneath, hunting for an armbar or a triangle, but Covington just shucks the legs and resets in Pyle’s guard again. Two minutes remain, and Pyle leans left to begin working a kimura. Covington leans the other way but can’t free his arm, and Pyle uses the kimura to sweep into top position. Pyle steps over to full mount, then takes back mount as Covington rolls onto his stomach. Pyle catches Covington in a tight choke, but his hooks aren’t set and Covington is able to walk out of it. Covington winds up on top after shaking off Pyle, and the American Top Team fighter finishes the fight in Pyle’s guard.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pyle (29-28 Covington)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Covington (30-27 Covington)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pyle (29-28 Covington)

The Official Result

Colby Covington def. Mike Pyle via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Uriah Hall vs. Rafael Natal

Round 1

The very first kick from Natal lands low, and referee Mark Smith pauses the action to give Hall time to recover from the groin shot. When the middleweights resume, Natal goes right back to kicking at Hall’s legs, and now the strikes are landing clean and hard. Hall is stalking forward, seemingly biding his time, allowing the Brazilian to swing and miss with big overhand rights. Hall pushes “Sapo” back with a front kick to the gut and then puts a kick underneath his right armpit. Halfway through the round, Natal shoots a double and gets sprawled into the canvas. Hall counters a low kick from Natal with a pair of whipping high kicks which are just barely blocked. Hall catches Natal with a spinning back kick to the body, then gets out of the way as Natal returns fire with a spinning back fist. Natal rushes forward with a flurry of punches and is warned by referee Smith to mind his fingers. Natal tries a single-leg in the closing seconds, rushes Hall against the cage and switches to a double. Hall hits the ground for a split second but bounces back up and finishes the round on his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Hall
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hall
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hall

Round 2

Hall is on the march early in the second, popping Natal with jabs and backing up the Brazilian around the cage. Natal grins at the jabs and answers with some low kicks before changing levels and plowing Hall to the ground with a blast double. Natal winds up in Hall’s closed guard with just over three minutes remaining in the round. Natal pushes him to the fence, where Hall is able to post and stand, albeit with Natal still wrapped around his waist. After fighting off another takedown attempt, Hall frees himself and circles away with 1:45 on the clock. Hall puts a knee on Natal’s body, whiffs on a right hook and blocks Natal as he tries to shoot underneath. Now it’s Hall going underneath a right hand from Natal, pushing “Sapo” to the cage with an underhook. He pulls Natal to the floor in the closing seconds, and that’s where the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Natal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hall
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Natal

Round 3

Hall is getting the better of the striking exchanges in the opening minute of round three, picking at Natal with long jabs and knees to the body. Natal tries a takedown from way out, can’t get hold of Hall and comes back up to block another right high kick. It’s all range striking and single shots from “Sapo” through the middle of the frame, Hall on his backfoot, deflecting most of what Natal throws. Hall’s offense has dropped off, and he looks tired as he stumbles on the back of a grazing overhand right from the Brazilian. Natal grabs for a single-leg on the fence, can’t complete it within 20 seconds and gets reset by referee Smith. Natal jumps at Hall with a knee, misses with a right hand but catches the striker with a back fist on his way out. One last takedown attempt from Natal is defended, but “Sapo” catches Hall with a hard left hook on the split.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Natal (29-28 Natal)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10 (30-28 Hall)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Natal (29-28 Natal)

The Official Result

Rafael Natal def. Uriah Hall via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Josh Burkman

Round 1

Burkman sidesteps an early takedown attempt and leaves Kim shooting into the fence. Kim takes the center of the cage and moves Burkman around the outside, but the American circles back to the middle and then comes swinging at Kim with big right hands. Kim deflects the punches, gets pushed agains the fence and reverses, then tries to drag Burkman to the ground with a body lock. Burkman stays standing but can’t free himself from Kim’s clutches, and the fighters wind up on their knees in the whizzer. As they stand, Burkman gets outside position with an underhook, but Kim reverses and jumps on the standing Burkman’s back. Kim has both hooks in, putting all of his weight on Burkman, who is leaning against the fence with his right side. “Stun Gun” tags Burkman with a dozen or so short left hands to the side of the head. He slaps his right arm around Burkman’s neck, trying for a rear-naked choke, but he can’t get under the chin and Burkman peels the Korean’s arm away. Kim comes down off Burkman’s back with 40 seconds left in the round but keeps hold of a rear waist lock.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kim
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kim
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kim

Round 2

Kim slips throwing a left high kick, jumps back to his feet and gets clipped with a couple left hooks from Burkman as he stands and backs up. Kim whiffs on a right hand and takes a counter right behind the ear, knocking him off balance and allowing Burkman to get in deep on a high double-leg. Kim hooks Burkman’s back leg and turns him around, then moves to jump on the back of “The People’s Warrior” again. Burkman kneels with his right side flush to the cage and Kim on his left, and now Kim traps his oppponent’s left arm between his legs. Halfway through the round, Burkman is stuck on his knees, absorbing a steady stream of solid but not quite fight-ending punches. With one minute left, the welterweights remain in the same position, Kim now mixing in elbows with his punches. Referee Jason Herzog tells Burkman to fight back, and Burkman finally gets back to his feet in the final five seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kim
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kim
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Kim

Round 3

Burkman backs up Kim with a kick to the body and punches, then rocks the Korean with a knee to the face. Kim is wobbling around the outside, covering up as Burkman follows up with more punches. By the time Burkman is done throwing a few combinations and backs up, Kim seems to have recovered significantly. Kim grabs hold of Burkman and rushes him to the ground in the center of the cage. Burkman grabs a guillotine on the way down but has to release it as Kim passes to side control on the left. Kim’s right arm is underneath Burkman’s head, setting up an arm-triangle choke. Kim goes to mount and bears down hard; the choke is tight, and Burkman has no choice but to tap out.

The Official Result

Dong Hyun Kim def. Josh Burkman via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R3 2:13

John Dodson vs. Zach Makovsky

Round 1

Dodson chops at the lead leg of Makovsky and nearly knocks the former Bellator champ to the ground with the first kick of the fight. “The Magician” takes the center of the cage, steps out toward Makovsky and catches him with a powerful left hook to the jaw. Makovsky tries to jab his way into range, can’t, and instead shoots for a long takedown from the outside. Dodson shuts it down and makes Makovsky pay with some right hands to the body on the split. Dodson denies another shot, and the southpaws go back to circling and feinting. A jab from Makovsky snaps back Dodson’s head as the opening round hits the two-minute warning. Makovsky gets shut down on another takedown attempt but hits Dodson with a knee to the body on the way out. Makovsky catches a kick and tries to spin Dodson down with a single-leg but can’t keep hold of the limb. Dodson stuffs another shot and pushes Makovsky back out of the pocket with a left hook. Dodson tries a takedown of his own and gets stood up in the final 20 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Makovsky
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Dodson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dodson

Round 2

Makovsky touches Dodson with a left hand and follows up with a low kick. Dodson denies a high double-leg attempt and cracks Makovsky with a knee to the face as he stands up. Dodson appears to catch a finger in his left eye from Makovsky’s outstretched hand, but Dodson tells referee Herb Dean he’s fit to continue. Another takedown attempt goes by the wayside for Makovsky, who again takes knees from Dodson on the way out. Makovsky fakes a shot, hits Dodson with a left hand and a leg kick. Dodson continues to deny Makovsky takedown opportunities through the middle of the round, each time landing a knee to the body or an uppercut on the exit. Inside the final minute, Makovsky catches a low kick and puts Dodson on the ground. Dodson jumps right back up, lifts Makovsky in the air and slams him to the mat. Makovsky drops back to try a heel hook, but Dodson steps over and stands up, then extends a hand to help Makovsky to his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Dodson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Dodson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Makovsky

Round 3

Dodson jumps into range but doesn’t let his hands go and eats a left hand counter. Makovsky fakes a shot and throws the left again, rocking Dodson’s head. Dodson takes a kick to the ribs, tries to catch it, but Makovsky pulls away. Makovsky shoots for a double in the middle then quickly backs out. Dodson ties up with Makovsky near the fence and gets off a few knees to the body before “Fun Size” breaks off. Halfway through the final round now, Makovsky presses forward and lands the left hand again. Dodson backs him up by threatening with a punch but doesn’t throw. Left hook-straight right combo lands for Dodson, then a knee to the body as Makovsky grabs for his legs. Dodson catches a knee under his right arm and briefly puts Makovsky on the ground, but doesn’t follow him down. Dodson swings and misses on punches in the closing seconds, and Makovsky goes underneath to try a takedown, but “The Magician” keeps his balance to the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Dodson (29-28 Dodson)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Dodson (30-27 Dodson)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dodson (29-28 Dodson)

The Official Result

John Dodson def. Zach Makovsky via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Joseph Benavidez vs. John Moraga

Round 1

Moraga takes the center of the cage and hits Benavidez with a few leg kicks, but when he tries to go upstairs with a kick, Benavidez catches it and hustles him to the ground. Mashing on Moraga with hammer fists, Benavidez passes to half guard, grabs a topside guillotine and moves to side control on Moraga’s left. Moraga stays trying to regain half guard but can’t corral Benavidez. When the Team Alpha Male fighter tries to finish with the guillotine, Moraga explodes out from underneath and jumps to his feet. Benavidez holds him against the fence and thumps Moraga’s ribs with left hands. Moraga turns him around with two minutes on the clock, and the flyweights proceed to exchange positions a few more times. Moraga tries to send Benavidez to the ground with a belly-to-belly suplex, but Benavidez scrambles back up and gets pushed against the fence again. Benavidez reverses, drops to his knees and lifts Moraga, then slams him to the ground for the final 30 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benavidez

Round 2

Benavidez lands a body kick, then has the lead leg chopped out from under him by a Moraga low kick. Back up comes Benavidez, using his hands to block a pair of high kicks from Moraga. A combination scores for Benavidez, answered by a right hand from Moraga, then another hard leg kick. A pair of loud body kicks land in Benavidez’s breadbasket, and the third one is followed up by a Moraga right hand. Benavidez tries a shot and clashes heads with Moraga, who is pushed to the fence with a cut on his hairline and blood leaking down his face. Benavidez gets his takedown with two minutes remaining, and Moraga sits up against a cage post to fish for a guillotine. Benavidez escapes the headlock and flattens out Moraga from half guard, then passes to side control and begins grinding on Moraga’s face with elbows from the left side. Moraga wraps up Benavidez’s head and arm from underneath, neutralizing the offense in the waning seconds of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Benavidez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benavidez

Round 3

Moraga catches Benavidez stepping into the pocket and clips him with a clean right hook. Now it’s Moraga coming forward, hitting “Joe-Jitsu” with another right hook and a knee to the body from the Thai clinch. A left hand sends Benavidez staggering backward, off balance, but suddenly it’s Moraga with the momentum. Just when it looks like Moraga could be taking over, he eases off the gas and allows Benavidez to start coming forward again. Benavidez gets a trip takedown with 2:40 on the clock and moves straight to side control on Moraga’s right side. Moraga reclaims full guard 20 seconds later and tries to frustrate Benavidez by wrapping up and covering up from underneath. Benavidez gets through with a few solid elbow strikes while referee John McCarthy calls for work. Benavidez stays active enough to avoid the stand-up, and the fight ends with him in Moraga’s guard.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Benavidez (30-27 Benavidez)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Benavidez (30-27 Benavidez)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Benavidez (30-27 Benavidez)

The Official Result

Joseph Benavidez def. John Moraga via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Travis Browne vs. Andrei Arlovski

Round 1

Browne creeps forward on Arlovski to start the bout but has to back up as the Belarusian throws a combo, connecting with a right hand. Arlovski dodges an overhand right and hurts Browne with an uppercut, and the big Hawaiian staggers backward to the other side of the cage. Arlovski chases him down and lands a few more punches but can’t put Browne away. Instead, the “Pit Bull” resets and then attacks Browne’s body with hard right hands. Both men are swinging for the fences with overhand rights but neither is coming up with anything. Arlovski comes up with a back fist, then closes in on Browne near the fence and stings him with another big right straight. Arlovski backs away, allowing Browne to step to the center and reset midway through the round. Browne lands a lead leg kick and waits for Arlovski to step in again. Arlovski rushes forward with five or six punches but can’t find the target this time. Arlovski once again hurts Browne with a back fist on the end of a missed combination, and now Browne is on roller skates. Browne backs up to the fence swinging haymakers as Arlovski tries to polish him off from range. A right hand from Browne sends Arlovski to the ground, but the former champ recovers quickly and stands to drill Browne with a knee. Browne backs up again, gets elbowed in the fence and clipped with a left hand. Browne is barely standing when Arlovski step in and lands an uppercut, then a right hook. That’s all the referee needs to see, and Mark Smith steps in to stop the fight as Browne leans against the cage.

The Official Result

Andrei Arlovski def. Travis Browne via TKO (Punches) R1 4:41

Donald Cerrone vs. John Makdessi

Round 1

Cerrone attacks the lead leg of Makdessi out of the gate, then lands a switch kick to the body. Makdessi tries to paw his way inside, can’t find a home for his jab and takes another kick on the lead leg. Cerrone rushes forward with three or four punches which miss, and Makdessi capitalizes with a left hand counter. A left high kick hurts Makdessi, but he regains his footing in a few seconds and gets out of the way of Cerrone’s next whipping roundhouse. Makdessi puts a jab in Cerrone’s breadbasket, and the “Cowboy” responds by pulling down the Canadian’s head in the Thai clinch and driving a knee up the middle. Halfway through the opening round, Cerrone continues to pick at Makdessi’s legs and body with kicks. Cerrone tries the Thai plum again but can’t get hold of Makdessi, who breaks out and hits the Jackson-Wink MMA fighter with a kick to the body. Makdessi slips a few punches and sticks Cerrone with a jab, then a left hook. Cerrone tags him pack with a pair of straight punches with 45 seconds left. A spinning kick to the body scores for Makdessi, answered by another pair of Cerrone leg kicks. Both men connect with straight right hands in the final exchange of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cerrone
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cerrone
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cerrone

Round 2

Cerrone sticks Makdessi with a left hand, a few more low kicks but misses with a roundhouse and has to cover up as Makdessi tries to sneak underneath and counter. Makdessi pushes Cerrone away with a body kick, but “Cowboy” comes back with a high knee to the jaw and more leg kicks. Makdessi is bleeding from what seems to be a cut on the bridge of his nose as he circles with Cerrone in the middle of the cage. Cerrone misses by inches with a big high kick, eats a left hook from Makdessi and tries to grab the Thai clinch again. Makdessi slips out, jabs at Cerrone’s midsection and then takes one back on the grill. Cerrone misses with a combination and gets countered with a left hook. Makdessi lands a couple inside leg kicks and backs out of the way of another high kick from Cerrone, who seems to be losing some steam with 90 seconds left in round two. A step-in reverse elbow from Cerrone lands flush and immediately slows down the offense of Makdessi. A left high kick slams into the side of Makdessi’s head, and the Canadian steps backward, giving Cerrone the “time out” signal. Referee Jason Herzog steps in to rescue the dazed Makdessi from any further damage.

The Official Result

Donald Cerrone def. John Makdessi via TKO (Head Kick) R2 4:44

Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort

Round 1

Referee Herb Dean is the third man in the cage for tonight’s first title fight. Weidman pushes forward on his southpaw challenger in the opening minute, testing the range with high kicks and fake shots. When Weidman does change levels for a takedown, Belfort sidesteps it and then stumbles trying to run away. Weidman tries to blitz him against the cage and the champ slips to the ground himself. Belfort catches up with Weidman, grabs him in the collar tie and lands half a dozen uppercuts in quick succession. “The Phenom” releases Weidman, whose left eye is bloodied from the punches. Weidman changes levels and floors Belfort with a takedown in the center of the cage, then postures up in the Brazilian’s half guard and begins landing hard hammer fists with three minutes left in the round. Weidman goes to mount, then takes Belfort’s back as the challenger rolls to his stomach. Belfort turns over again and tries to punch from his back as Weidman bounces his head off the canvas with nonstop punches. Belfort stops fighting back and turns to his side. When he stops defending and Weidman continues to punch away, referee Dean stops the fight. Chris Weidman retains his UFC middleweight title with a first-round technical knockout.

The Official Result

Chris Weidman def. Vitor Belfort via TKO (Punches) R1 2:53

Anthony Johnson vs. Daniel Cormier

Round 1

John McCarthy is the referee for tonight’s 205-pound main event, with judges Adalaide Byrd, Derek Cleary and Chris Lee scoring at cageside. Johnson gets a finger in his right eye moments into the fight, but he says he’s alright to continue. “Rumble” knocks Cormier to the canvas with a massive overhand right, but the wrestler gets back to his feet right away. Cormier dodges the next right hand from Johnson and wraps up the larger man near the fence. Cormier gets a rear waist lock and pulls his opponent away from the fence while referee McCarthy warns Johnson for grabbing the fence. Johnson gets back to his feet but Cormier is clung to his leg, still working for a takedown now 90 seconds into the round. Cormier pulls Johnson to his knees at the base of the fence and stands to hold him in a front headlock. Referee McCarthy tells Cormier to work, but there’s not much he can do from the position while trying to hold down Johnson. Back up comes Johnson, still held on the fence by Cormier. “Rumble” breaks out of the clinch with a head kick which touches Cormier but doesn’t land flush. Johnson stuffs the next takedown attempt from Cormier, and the light heavyweights meet back in the center with 90 seconds on the clock. From the southpaw stance, Johnson puts a kick underneath Cormier’s right arm. Cormier flicks out a jab, ducks under a punch and hugs Johnson against the fence again. Cormier releases and opens up with punches at the 10-second clapper, tagging Johnson with a pair of hooks.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cormier
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 2

Johnson land an outside leg kick, an overhand right, and then smacks Cormier’s face with a left high kick. After eating another right hand, Cormier catches a kick and uses it to push Johnson to the fence again. Cormier lifts his man over his shoulder, walks Johnson toward the center and dumps him to the canvas. It’s half guard for Cormier, posturing up on Johnson’s right side to pepper with short right hands up top. Cormier lands a nice elbow and grinds Johnson’s face into the ground with his forearm, then leans across and starts working for a kimura on the left arm. Cormier seems to have something going but releases the arm and throws more elbows. Now, Cormier attacks with the kimura again, but it’s not as tight as on the first attempt. More elbow slam into the face of Johnson, who is taking big breaths as Cormier fishes for the kimura again. Cormier gives up on the arm and starts smothering Johnson with a hand over the face. Referee McCarthy calls for work as the round enters its final minute, and Cormier responds by slamming a big forearm into Johnson’s face. Elbows from Cormier slice open Johnson, covering his face with plasma as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cormier
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Cormier
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Cormier

Round 3

Johnson comes swinging at Cormier with punches and kicks, but they’re all deflected and Johnson opts to drop for a double-leg attempt on the fence. Johnson gets the takedown but Cormier is back on his feet a split second later, and he turns “Rumble” against the cage with a high single-leg. While defending the takedown, Johnson smacks Cormier with a pair of good right hands, and the American Kickboxing Academy fighter releases the leg. Johnson spreads his base as Cormier grabs for a double, then drops to his knees. Cormier tries to spin and take the back, but Johnson stands and drives for a takedown of his own. Again, Cormier breaks Johnson down to his knees and turns the corner to take his back. The cage is blocking Cormier’s progress, so he gets one hook and peels Johnson away from the fence. Cormier gets the second hook, sneaks his left arm around Johnson’s neck and squeezes tight on the rear-naked choke. Johnson resists for a moment, then taps out. Daniel Cormier is the new UFC light heavyweight champion.

The Official Result

Daniel Cormier def. Anthony Johnson via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 2:39