Really happy about already the best fight card of 2017 for me. UFC 214 aka Cormier vs. Jones 2, so I sit down and celebrated by enjoying a nice one post I want to write.
We don’t usually see the humble side of Jon “Bones” especially to Daniel Cormier. The new light heavy weight Champion of the world put the rivalry aside and gave props to his opponent instead.
Jon Jones: “Big thank you to all MMA supporters and the fans around the world for all the love and support. Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this long process. I’m going to do my best to be the champion that you guys deserve to have. Daniel Cormier has been one of the biggest sources of motivation I’ve had in the last two-three years and I thank him for that and for pushing me to a higher level.”
Jones got his title back via third round KO at Honda Center in Anaheim, California on Saturday, July 29, 2017. The kick to the head followed by knee to the body started off Cormier’s wobbling until he dropped on to the canvas. Referee McCarthy waived the fight as Jones was relentless with his strikes. He finished DC on the ground.
Related link: The Countdown to UFC 200 Is On! 4 Days Till War!
After two years of waiting! The most anticipated rematch happened. Jones did exactly what he said he would do. To put the talking to an end. Jon ‘Bones’ Jones made his UFC comeback on April 2016 at UFC 197. The drug (January 2015) and road (April 2015) incident removed the world no. 1 from UFC rankings. Daniel Cormier disappointed the fans by pulling out of the fight last minute. Ovince St Preux stepped up instead. The fight was not as exciting as his last fights but still he was announced as that LHW Interim Champion of the world. Before April of the said year ended, UFC gave Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier as the main event for UFC 200. But three days before the Fight Card of All Time, Jones failed another drug test resulting to being pulled out from UFC 200. He was suspended for one year which was officially over last July 6, 2017. Last May, UFC booked the LHW rivals again to fight.
Related link: Jon Bones Jones Is Out Of UFC 200
Jon Jones, Brian Ortega, Renato Moicano and Volkan Oezdemir each earned 50,000 for Performance of the Night bonuses.
Brian Ortega handed Renato Moicano his professional loss when “T-City” sank in a guillotine choke at 2:59 of the third round to secure the submission win after a firefight on the feet for almost three full rounds. The win gives Ortega four wins now in the UFC as he improves to 12-0 in his MMA career.
Cris Cyborg finally wears UFC gold around here waist after taking out tough Tonya Evinger by TKO at 1:56 of the third round. Cyborg controlled the entirety of the fight but Evinger had her moments, evading strikes and looking to clinch. She even landed a takedown in the first round but Cyborg stood right up. In the end the significant strikes began to add up for Cyborg, who finished landing 83 sign. strikes to just 23 for Evinger.
In a fight that lived up to its massive expectations, Robbie Lawler edged Cowboy Cerrone in a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a fight that left everyone in the arena wanting more. Cowboy landed just 1/13 takedowns but landed more total strikes, 83-72 and had the edge in significant strikes landed, 72-64. Lawler came out on fire in the first round, pushing Cerrone back and landing bi shots that rocked Cowboy a bit on two occasions. But Cerrone owned the second round, landing a few head kicks and firing off combos. The two combined for almost 60 significant strikes in the final round before heading to the judges.
Volkan Oezdemir continues his shocking rise in the light heavyweight division with a first-round TKO win against Jimi Manuwa in just :22 of the first round. Manuwa looked to clinch with Oezdemir, who responded with a few big left hands that rocked Manuwa. As “Poster Buy” retreated, Oezdemir charged forward and caught Manuwa, who went tumbling to the mat before the finish moments later. Oezdemir now moves to 3-0 in the UFC.
Ricardo Lamas steamrolled through prospect Jason Knight with a flurry of big winging punches before finishing him at 4:34 of the first round by TKO. It seemed like Knight, who is very confident off his back, thought he could eat punches long enough or until he dropped, where he would be able to survive because of his grappling. But Lamas kept unloading with big shots and when Knight finally fell the referee was forced to jump in and stop the fight.
Tyron Woodley stopped all 24 of Demian Maia’s takedowns and won in a landslide unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46). Woodley out-struck Maia 45-23 in what was generally not appreciated by fans in attendance. Woodley said after the fight that he fought a specific gameplan because when Maia gets your back he’s the most dangerous. Woodley defends his title for the third time.
Here are the complete winners at UFC 214: Cormier vs Jones 2:
Jon Jones def. Daniel Cormier (C) by KO (head kick and punches) at 3:01 of Rd 3
Tyron Woodley (C) def. Demian Maia by Unanimous Decision
Cristiane Justino def. Tonya Evinger by TKO at 1:56 of Rd 3
Robbie Lawler def. Donald Cerrone by Unanimous
Volkan Oezdemir def. Jimi Manuwa by KO at 0:42 of Rd 1
Ricardo Lamas def. Jason Knight by TKO at 4:34 of Rd 1
Aljamain Sterling def. Renan Barao by Unanimous Decision
Brian Ortega def. Renato Moicano by Submission at 2:59 of Rd 2
Calvin Kattar,def. Andre Fili by Unanimous Decision
Aleksandra Albu def. Kailin Curran by Unanimous Decision
Jarred Brooks def. Eric Shelton by Split Decision
Drew Dober def. Josh Burkman by KO at 3:04 of Rd 1
