UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier was live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 23, 2015.
It was a historic pay-per-view in that for the first time in over four years a new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion would be crowned due to Jon Jones being stripped of the championship. The main event of UFC 187 would decided who the new champion was as Anthony Johnson took on Daniel Cormier. In the co-main event, Chris Weidman looked to defend his UFC Middleweight Championship against Vitor Belfort in a fight that was years in the making.
Just like at every event, UFC 187 saw a bunch of fighters take a step forward in their MMA career, whereas others were unsuccessful and were forced to take a step back. With that being said, check out our biggest winners and losers from UFC 187 below.
Winners
Chris Weidman
At UFC 187, the long awaited showdown between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort finally took place. Although Weidman got hit with a barrage of punches early that cut him, the fight was fairly uncompetitive. Weidman was able to secure a takedown and Belfort offered nothing off his back and the end would soon ensue, as Weidman was victorious via TKO at 2:53 of Round 1. It was Weidman’s third successful defense, but even more importantly he got the thoughts of Vitor Belfort out of his mind for the first time in well over a year. Although often underappreciated, ‘The All-American’ improved his record to 13-0 and proved why he is the best middleweight on the planet.
Daniel Cormier
At UFC 187, Daniel Cormier had his second chance at a UFC title and this time it was for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Anthony Johnson. Cormier had some trouble early as Johnson knocked him down less than a minute into the fight, but he was able to overcome. Cormier was able to avoid his power for the most part after that and was able to out grapple him for the rest of the fight. Cormier was able to pick up the rear-naked choke victory at 2:39 of Round 3. Cormier finally accomplished his goal of becoming UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Cormier not only performed in the octagon, but also did so on the microphone as he called out Jon Jones in the post fight interview.
Losers
Vitor Belfort
At UFC 187, Vitor Belfort finally got his title shot after a year away from the octagon as he took on the UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman. Belfort was unsuccessful in his outing and did not look very good in the effort. Belfort is always a fast starter and at UFC 187 there was nothing different as he did have some success early, but that was it. When ‘The Phenom’ got taken down, he offered no offense off of his back and was ultimately unable to get back to his feet as the fight was stopped shortly after. It was the first fight since 2013 for the 38-year-old and he did not look in the same form as he did in that flawless year he had in 2013.
Josh Burkman
At UFC 187, Josh Burkman was looking to get the first UFC win of his second stint with the promotion against Dong Hyun Kim. After getting out grappled in the first round, Burkman had success on the feet early in the second round, but initiated the clinch himself and that would ultimately be his wrongdoing as he lost that round as well. With desperation, ‘The People’s Warrior’ was throwing everything to start the third round and had Kim stunned badly, but ‘Stun Gun’ was able to initiate the clinch, take Burkman down, and submit him via arm-triangle choke at 2:13 of Round 3. Burkman is now unsuccessful in both of his performances in 2015 and will be in a must win situation in his next fight.
