Daniel Cormier retains his UFC heavyweight title

11/04/2018

Daniel Cormier retains his UFC heavyweight title with second round submission win over Derrick Lewis in New York

American fighter Cormier defeated challenger Lewis to retain heavyweight belt
Cormier controlled the majority of Saturday night’s contest in New York
A rear-naked choke finished off Lewis at 2.14 in the second round
Cormier becomes first man to defend both light-heavyweight and heavyweight belts in UFC

Daniel Cormier retained his UFC heavyweight title with a submission victory over Derrick Lewis.

Lewis earned the shot at the title after beating Alexander Volkov barely a month ago, but his quick return to the octagon failed to pay off after he tapped out in the second round of the clash in New York.

American Cormier controlled the bout from the start, grabbing a takedown after barely a minute in the first round.

Daniel Cormier celebrates with his UFC heavyweight belt after a successful title defence

The American proved too strong for Derrick Lewis, winning with a second round submission

Cormier becomes the first fighter to defend both light-heavyweight and heavyweight titles

The victor allows his children Daniel (left) and Marquita (right) to carry his belts

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Cormier got stung by a right hand from Lewis in the second but the champion soon had his opponent back on the canvas, a rear-naked choke finishing the job at 2.14.

With the the victory, Cormier has become the first man to defend both the light-heavyweight and heavyweight belts.

Quoted on the UFC website, Cormier said after the fight: ‘There are no surprises with me. I come in here and try to do my thing.

‘If you come in here with a puncher’s chance, it’s not enough. You have to be one of the best in the world to be able to compete. Derrick is good, but he’s not at that level yet.’

Cormier controlled most of the contest, getting on top of Lewis from the outset

The reigning champion gets in some blows after pinning Lewis to the canvas in New York

Lewis tries to counter with the kick, but it proved in vain as he lost in the second round

Cormier sends Lewis flying to the canvas as he maintains the upper hand in the contest

Before the main event, Karl Roberson earned a convincing unanimous decision over Welshman Jack Marshman in their middleweight bout.

Marshman was looking to bounce back after his loss against Antonio Carlos Jr last month, but was denied after three rounds at Madison Square Garden.

Former kickboxer Roberson, on the back of suffering his first pro defeat against Cezar Ferreira at UFC 224, set the tone in the first round, attempting an early head kick which was blocked by Marshman.

Karl Roberson celebrates following his middleweight victory over Jack Marshman of Wales

Roberson gets on top of Marshman on his way to a third-round victory in New York

Marshman struggled to land his punches and did his best to find his target with leg kicks, but was sent to the fence by a series of left hands from Roberson.

In the second, Marshman came out strong, unleashing a barrage of blows, but a takedown from Roberson looked to have secured him the round.

The 28-year-old continued to dominate with his left hand in the third, winning the decision victory 30-26, 30-26, 30-27.

UFC announces return to London at O2 Arena in March next…

Khabib Nurmagomedov refuses to attend hearing into mass…

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Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov suspended…