Introduction
UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2. April 8, 2017. KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York. Daniel Cormier retained the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Anthony Johnson for the second time, submitting him with a rear-naked choke at 3:37 of round two — the same finish as their first meeting at UFC 187, one round earlier (UFC 187 ended at 2:39 of round 3).
The event was surrounded by controversy: Cormier initially weighed in 1.2 lbs over the 205 lb limit and was allowed a second attempt minutes later, coming in at exactly 205. Johnson’s team filed an appeal with the NYSAC; it was denied. The co-main event ended when referee Dan Miragliotta paused the fight believing Gegard Mousasi’s knees on Chris Weidman were illegal; a review determined they were legal and the TKO was awarded to Mousasi.
Jon Jones was at ringside. Post-fight, Cormier spoke to Jones from the cage. Anthony Johnson announced his retirement from MMA after the loss.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: April 8, 2017
Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York (2nd UFC event in Buffalo; first since UFC 7 in 1995; first Buffalo UFC since New York lifted its MMA ban in 2016)
PPV: 300,000 buys
Main Event: Daniel Cormier (c) vs. Anthony Johnson — LHW Championship (rematch of UFC 187 where Cormier won via RNC R3)
Result: Cormier def. Johnson — Sub (RNC) R2, 3:37 — same finish (RNC) as UFC 187 but one round earlier (UFC 187 was R3, 2:39); Johnson announced retirement post-fight
Controversy: Cormier weighed 1.2 lbs over; allowed second attempt; made 205 exactly; Johnson’s team appealed; NYSAC denied
Co-Main controversy: Mousasi knees on Weidman paused by referee thinking illegal; review determined legal; TKO awarded Mousasi R2, 3:13
Bonuses: FOTN: Oliveira ($50k); POTN: Burgos/Rosa ($50k each); POTN: Gillespie ($50k)
The Build-Up
Johnson had rebounded from his UFC 187 loss with three consecutive knockout wins (Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader, Glover Teixeira) to earn his second LHW title shot. His explosive power made him a legitimate threat to anyone who stood with him. The question was whether he could avoid Cormier’s grappling for five rounds.
The weigh-in controversy dominated fight week. Cormier came in at 206.2 on his first attempt. In an unusual decision, the NYSAC allowed him to try again. He returned minutes later at exactly 205. The method by which 1.2 lbs was removed in minutes was not adequately explained. Johnson’s team suspected towel use during the second weigh-in.
Main Event
Daniel Cormier (c) vs. Anthony Johnson — LHW Championship
Round one: Johnson surprised everyone by attempting to take Cormier down — the LHW division’s finest wrestler. The strategy backfired; Cormier controlled the clinch. Late in round one, Johnson connected with a kick to Cormier’s face that appeared to fracture his nose. Despite the injury, Cormier controlled the round.
Round two: Cormier secured a takedown, took Johnson’s back, and locked in a rear-naked choke. Johnson tapped at 3:37. Post-fight, Johnson told Joe Rogan: ‘I gave my commitment to another job.’ He announced his retirement from MMA at 33 with a 22-6 record. Jon Jones was at ringside; Cormier addressed him from the Octagon.
Co-Main Event
Chris Weidman vs. Gegard Mousasi — Middleweight (Controversial)
Weidman controlled round one with three takedowns and dominated the grappling. In round two, Mousasi caught Weidman against the cage and landed knees. Referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight believing the knees were illegal soccer kicks. Doctors examined Weidman. Officials reviewed footage and determined the knees were legal — Weidman had both hands on the canvas but one knee was down, making them legal. The fight was waved off; Mousasi awarded TKO at 3:13 of round two. Weidman’s team was furious.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
Gregor Gillespie def. Andrew Holbrook — KO (Punches) — R1, 0:21 — LW; POTN ($50k); Gillespie dominant
Shane Burgos def. Charles Rosa — TKO — R3, 1:59 — FW; POTN ($50k each)
Desmond Green def. Josh Emmett — Decision (Split) — R3 (28-29, 29-28, 30-27) — LW
Patrick Cummins def. Jan Błachowicz — Decision (Majority) — R3 (29-28, 29-28, 28-28) — LHW; Błachowicz future LHW champion
Kamaru Usman def. Sean Strickland — Decision (Unanimous) — R3 (30-27, 30-26, 30-26) — WW; Usman building toward title
Myles Jury def. Mike De La Torre — TKO — R1, 3:30 — FW
Charles Oliveira def. Will Brooks — Sub (RNC) — R1, 2:30 — LW; FOTN ($50k to Oliveira)
Cynthia Calvillo def. Pearl Gonzalez — Sub (RNC) — R3, 3:45 — WSW; Gonzalez breast implant NYSAC controversy pre-fight; fight proceeded
Thiago Alves def. Patrick Cote — Decision (Unanimous) — R3 (30-27 x3) — WW
Main Card
Gegard Mousasi def. Chris Weidman — TKO (Knees) — R2, 3:13 — MW; Co-Main; CONTROVERSIAL: referee initially stopped fight believing knees illegal; review determined legal; TKO awarded
LHW Championship — Main Event
Daniel Cormier def. Anthony Johnson — Sub (RNC) — R2, 3:37 — LHW Championship; same finish (RNC) as UFC 187 but one round earlier (UFC 187 was R3, 2:39); Johnson retirement post-fight; Jon Jones at ringside
Bonuses & Awards
Performance of the Night / Fight of the Night: Charles Oliveira ($50k); Shane Burgos + Charles Rosa ($50k each); Gregor Gillespie ($50k)
Records & Milestones
Daniel Cormier — second LHW title defence; same finish (RNC) as UFC 187 against the same opponent, but a round earlier (UFC 187 ended in R3, UFC 210 in R2). His next challenge was Jon Jones at UFC 214 in July 2017.
Anthony Johnson — retired at 33 years old (22-6). Announced retirement post-fight from the Octagon; stated he had committed to another opportunity. He returned to MMA in 2021 for Bellator but his time in the UFC was over.
Kamaru Usman def. Sean Strickland — both future UFC champions in their respective weight classes; Usman at WW and Strickland at MW.
Legacy & Impact
UFC 210 closed out Rumble Johnson’s UFC career as the most dangerous and underachieving LHW in the division’s history. Three straight KO wins after UFC 187 got him a second title shot. Trying to out-wrestle Cormier — the sport’s finest LHW wrestler — ended in the same rear-naked choke as the first fight, one round earlier (round 2 instead of round 3).
The event’s most lasting image is Jon Jones at ringside as Cormier celebrated. The division’s defining rivalry was coming back. UFC 214 was on the horizon.
FAQ
Why was the Cormier weigh-in controversial at UFC 210?
Cormier initially weighed in at 206.2 lbs — 1.2 lbs over the 205 lb LHW limit. The NYSAC allowed him to try again. He returned minutes later weighing exactly 205 lbs. Johnson’s team argued no fighter loses 1.2 lbs in minutes without improper methods, filed an appeal with the NYSAC suggesting Cormier used a towel during the second weigh-in. The appeal was denied on June 2.
Why was the Mousasi vs. Weidman result controversial?
In round two, Mousasi landed knees that referee Dan Miragliotta stopped to evaluate, believing they were illegal soccer kicks. Weidman received medical attention. Officials reviewed the footage and determined the knees were legal — Weidman had one knee on the canvas but both hands down, making them legal under New York rules. The TKO was awarded to Mousasi. Weidman’s team disputed the result.
Did Anthony Johnson retire after UFC 210?
Yes. After tapping to Cormier’s rear-naked choke in round two, Johnson announced his retirement from MMA in his post-fight interview at 33 years old with a 22-6 record. He said he had committed to another job. He returned to competitive MMA in 2021 in Bellator.
Was Kamaru Usman at UFC 210?
Yes. Usman def. Sean Strickland by UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-26) on the preliminary card at UFC 210. Both fighters went on to become UFC champions — Usman at welterweight and Strickland at middleweight. The fight was an early data point in both careers.
What was the Pearl Gonzalez breast implant controversy at UFC 210?
The NYSAC initially ruled Pearl Gonzalez out of her fight with Cynthia Calvillo, stating that breast implants posed a safety risk. The ruling was reversed after further consideration and the fight proceeded. Gonzalez lost by submission in round three. The incident drew widespread criticism of NYSAC’s handling of its first year of MMA regulation.