Sherdog.com’s 2015 Event of the Year

3. UFC 187 “Johnson vs. Cormier”
Saturday, May 23
MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas
Out-of-competition run-ins with the law resulted in the end of Jon Jones’ historic reign atop the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light heavyweight division, as “Bones” was suspended and stripped of his title following a hit-and-run accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Into the void stepped archrival Daniel Cormier.

Cormier -- who replaced the deposed Jones on short notice -- submitted Anthony Johnson with a third-round rear-naked choke to capture the vacant light heavyweight championship in the UFC 187 “Johnson vs. Cormier” main event on May 23. Johnson conceded defeat 2:39 into round three.

“Rumble” had his moments. He floored Cormier with a searing right hand in the first round and clobbered him with multiple head kicks, but the American Kickboxing Academy export walked through his best shots. “DC” took control with a dominant round two, as he grounded Johnson and tore into him with punches and elbows from the top. Battered and bloodied, the Blackzilians rep returned to his corner a shell of his former self. Cormier offered him no respite in the third round, as he again drove Johnson to the canvas, slid to his back and set the choke for the tapout.

In the co-headliner, Chris Weidman weathered an early power punching volley from Vitor Belfort to put away “The Phenom” with first-round strikes from full mount and retain the undisputed middleweight crown. Weidman drew the curtain 2:53 into round one.

Belfort uncorked a burst of vicious lefts and rights, first at a distance and then in close quarters, and cut the champion on his left brow. His efforts were not enough. Weidman covered up, withstood the onslaught and resumed stalking the Brazilian. The Serra-Longo Fight Team centerpiece then swooped in for a double-leg takedown, settled briefly in half guard and advanced to full mount. Elbows, punches and hammerfists fell next and with increasing intensity. Sensing the dire nature of his situation, Belfort yielded his back for a moment before allowing the “All-American” to return to the mount. Unable to free himself, he turned away from the blows, forcing referee Herb Dean to step in on his behalf.

The drama extended beyond the featured attractions, as heavyweights Andrei Arlovski and Travis Browne engaged in what was for many the “Round of the Year.” Perennial lightweight contender Donald Cerrone added depth to the card, along with Team Alpha Male’s Joseph Benavidez, “The Ultimate Fighter 14” winner John Dodson and South Korean judoka Dong Hyun Kim. All were victorious.

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