In the span of less than 24 hours Daniel Cormier’s UFC dance card went from reading “nothing to lose” to “everything to lose”. When he was matched-up with Jon Jones, Cormier was the clear underdog to one of MMA’s living legends. Then drug test results were signed off on. Then Bones was gone.
Then The Spider happened.
Only a few months removed from losing to Michael Bisping, Anderson Silva decided he wanted to be a part of UFC 200 likely while riding a hoverboard listening to Mariah Carey. The same Silva who had his gallbladder taken from his insides in May, was now calling up Dana White a mere two hours after Bones Jones was booted from the UFC 200 main event.
Saving the biggest card in MMA history? Is normal!!!
#GOAT #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/CU1RRMLTcF
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
Legendary walkout game
Once the bell for round one sounded, the fight that on paper appeared to be bat shit crazy turned out to be just a classic wrestler versus striker affair. Silva on two days notice sported the ultimate Dad Bod look while Cormier appeared to be in the best shape of his light heavyweight run. Cormier took the smaller man down then proceeded to smother Silva on the ground for 90% of the first round.
Vintage Cormier “EMBRACE THE GRIND” offense and short notice Silva once again hit the mat one minute into the second frame.
So much wrestling
Anderson Silva having Chael Sonnen flashbacks right now. #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/CaB6aFiusS
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) July 10, 2016
Equals a tired Silva when they did finally stand-up with a minute remaining in round two.
#ufc200 pic.twitter.com/8g9SuzFXFx
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) July 10, 2016
Heading into the third round, other than a brief 10 second flurry of strikes, Silva was gassed from having Cormier wrestle him for the better part of ten minutes. The crowd kept chanting ‘”Silva” then it morphed to “stand them up” before it settled into a chorus of boos for DC using a game plan and for The Spider for not being in fighting shape.
Then with 30 seconds Silva chased down Cormier with punches, a flying knee, before DC shut it down with a clinch tie up to close out the fight. So close. All three judges cageside scored it for Cormier.
The champ lands a right! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/IHU4H7h3Rq
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
