UFC 230 was a night that went how many would have thought it would. Daniel Cormier defended his UFC heavyweight championship and became the first double champion to defend both of his belts. Cormier submitted Derrick Lewis at 2:14 of round 2 with a rear-naked choke.
Cormier, as well as other fighters, gave the UFC what it needed post-Khabib/McGregor fiasco. In what could have been a letdown after one of the biggest PPV events of all time, UFC 230 did not disappoint.
The Reign of D.C.
What more can we say about Daniel Cormier? The former Olympian is 22-1,1NC, with his only loss (and no contest) coming from the hands of Jon Jones. He is the current UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, having officially defended both of his titles. Cormier has to be one of the best wrestlers in MMA. He can move his opponents’ bodies in whichever direction he wants them to. Derrick Lewis is a brawler with knockout power, but to beat Cormier’s, he needed to be on another level.
All Time Great?
There is a serious case that can be made that Daniel Cormier is one of the greatest fighters of all time. I personally would put him top 5. He has had nothing short of an illustrious career, but his resume has one blemish. Jon Jones. Cormier is going to have to hope he gets that third fight with Jones if he ever wants to prove his value as the greatest ever.
The Alligator Claw
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza knocked out Chris Weidman in the third round at the 2:46 mark. Chris Weidman was winning the exchanges on the feet for the most part before “Jacare” caught him. This was no doubt a crucial loss for Weidman. The former middleweight champion was coming off an injury and his first win in four fights. A win over “Jacare” would have propelled “The All-American” back into title contention.
A Star in the Making
If we had to choose one name that stood out Saturday night, besides from D.C., it would have to be Israel Adesanya. After months and months of trash talk, “The Last Stylebender” knocked out Derek Brunson at 4:51 of the first round. It seems that there is a new star in the making in Adesanya. Dana White went even so far to call him “the whole package” last night to mmajunkie.
Adesanya has one of the most lethal standup skill sets in MMA, throwing kicks from a variety of crazy angles. His emergence looks Jon Jones-esque, being an undefeated fighter running through everyone put in front of him. Adesanya has officially put his name on the map.
UFC 230…in the books
UFC 230 is now in the books. What many considered to be a fill-in card, turned out to be a pile of good fortune for a couple of fighters. “Jacare” catapulted back into title contention with a knockout win over Weidman. Daniel Cormier has cemented him as one of the greatest fighters of all time, with only one thing left to accomplish on his resume: Beat Jon Jones.
What to expect post-UFC 230
Cormier’s reign will go on. It seems like he believes he has one fight left in his UFC career. He claims he wants it to be Brock Lesnar, but many still believe he has unfinished business with a man by the name of Jon Jones. It seems like 2019 will bring the answers to all of our questions.
