Anthony Johnson sits on the mat after the second round in a light heavyweight title mixed martial arts bout against Daniel Cormier at UFC 187 on Saturday, May 23, 2015, in Las Vegas. AP
LAS VEGAS, United States — Daniel Cormier beat Anthony “Rumble” Johnson with a rear naked choke in the third round, winning the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 187 on Saturday night.
Daniel Cormier celebrates after defeating Anthony Johnson in their light heavyweight mixed martial arts title bout at UFC 187 on Saturday, May 23, 2015, in Las Vegas. AP
Cormier (16-1) dominated Johnson on the ground in the final two rounds to win the title stripped from Jon Jones, who was suspended indefinitely by the UFC last month after his arrest when police said he left the scene of a car accident. Cormier lost a decision to Jones at UFC 182 in January.
Chris Weidman also defended his middleweight title at the MGM Grand Garden, stopping Vitor Belfort with a relentless series of punches on the ground.
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone earned his eighth consecutive lightweight victory earlier, apparently breaking John Makdessi’s jaw with a kick to the head in the second round.
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