Daniel Cormier continues to cement his status as the best light heavyweight in MMA history not named Jon Jones.
Cormier faced the deadly task of Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 220 in Boston Saturday night -- a task that proved pretty easy for the former heavyweight in Cormier. In a one-sided beating, Cormier outstruck, outwrestled and ground and pounded Oezdemir on the way to a finish.
You can see an excerpt from Fightful's UFC 220 live coverage below.
Round Two: The round begins with Cormier popping Oezdemir with a few jabs, Cormier scores a takedown on Oezdemir and he gets full mount. Oezdemir eats a few strikes as he gets Cormier in the half guard, Cormier transitions to side control against Oezdemir. Cormier traps Oezdemir in the crucifix position while landing ground and pound until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Daniel Cormier def. #2 Volkan Oezdemir by TKO via strikes (2:00, R2) to retain the UFC Light Heavyweight Title
Daniel Cormier's reign goes down as among the most peculiar of all time. He first won the UFC Light Heavyweight championship in 2015 after rival Jon Jones was stripped of it following a series of issues. Cormier would lose the title to Jones in 2017 before having it returned due to Jones failing a drug test. This in addition to a planned 2016 bout between the two being canceled due to a Jones failed drug test, that saw him replaced by Anderson Silva.
This technically goes down as Cormier's fourth defense of the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
"I've been through a lot. It's because of my greatest rival (Jon Jones). It feels great to get back in here and get a victory. I felt like I was fighting for a vacant title because Jon beat be last time. I fought for a vacant title, and I got the job done. Volkan's on the level," Cormier said. "I leave a piece of myself with every opponent, and Volkan, you're taking a piece back to Switzerland."
Oezdemir, who first fought in the UFC less than a year ago, will go back to drawing board.
You can see Fightful's UFC 220 live coverage at at this link, and our post-show podcast at this link.
