The UFC light-heavyweight championship was on the line in the TD Gardens last night. Many fans of Volkan Oezdemir believed it would be a changing of the guard at 205 pounds…
During his reign as UFC light-heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier has faced some trials and tribulations. Sharing an intense rivalry with the currently suspended Jon Jones, ‘DC’ was hit hard by ‘Bones’ and his multiple failed drug tests.
Amid all his legal woes and alleged juicing, Jones did manage to hand Cormier the only two losses of his entire career. His most recent win against DC, a KO by head kick, was overturned to a no-contest when Jones popped again.
How would Cormier respond to being reinstated as champ after such a brutal loss? It would take more than six months for that question to be answered, and last night Cormier faced a young and dangerous contender in the form of Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 220.
DC Was Dominant
Having only lost once in his career prior to UFC 220, Oezdemir was being hailed as the future of the 205-pound division. Ovince St-Preux and Jimi Manuwa were completely walked through by Volkan, but DC is a different animal.
Cormier outstruck Oezdemir, and when he started to take a few back, decided to take his man to the ground and get to work. From there it was a typical AKA-style beatdown. Grinding away, Cormier got the win through a smothering TKO.
Watch the highlights below:
"He may be from Switzerland, but Volkan's not a Swiss army knife. He only has one tool!" — @KennyFlorian
The crew breaks down Daniel Cormier's big win in Boston! #UFC220 https://t.co/n3Xpyyf7sX
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) January 21, 2018
And Still!
For now, the light-heavy and heavyweight divisions remain led by the same champions. For Oezdemir, its back to the drawing board. He looked one dimensional on the feet and completely lost on the ground.
As for Cormier, everyone would love to see another fight with Jones, but it’s just not a good idea. Even if ‘Bones’ does make it out of his USADA trap, he clearly isn’t going to be jumping straight into a title fight ever again.
UFC 220 full fight card results
Main Card
Heavyweight: Stipe Miocic def. Francis Ngannou via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)
Light Heavyweight: Daniel Cormier def. Volkan Oezdemir via TKO (punches) 2:00 of Round 2
Featherweight: Calvin Kattar def. Shane Burgos via TKO (punches) at 0:32 of Round 3
Light Heavyweight: Gian Villante def. Francimar Barroso via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Bantamweight: Rob Font def. Thomas Almeida via TKO (head kick and punches) 2:24 of Round 2
Preliminary Card
Featherweight: Kyle Bochniak def. Brandon Davis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Welterweight: Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Sabah Homasi via KO (punch) at 3:47 of Round 1
Flyweight: Dustin Ortiz def. Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: Julio Arce def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Featherweight: Enrique Barzola def. Matt Bessette via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Islam Makhachev def. Gleison Tibau via KO (punch) at 0:57 of Round 1
