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UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier
The poster for UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateMay 23, 2015 (2015-05-23)
VenueMGM Grand Garden Arena
CityLas Vegas, Nevada
Attendance12,615[1]
Total gate$5,189,623[2]
Buyrate375,000[3]
Event chronology
UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves

UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier was a mixed martial arts event held on May 23, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.[4]

Background

[edit]

The event was expected to be headlined by a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout between then champion Jon Jones and top contender Anthony Johnson.[4][5] However, on April 28, following Jones' hit-and-run incident (see section below), the UFC decided to strip him of the title and suspend him indefinitely. He was replaced by the previous title challenger Daniel Cormier, who was scheduled to face Ryan Bader in the main event of UFC Fight Night 68.[6]

The co-main event featured a UFC Middleweight Championship bout between current champion Chris Weidman and former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament winner Vitor Belfort. The much delayed pairing had been rescheduled for several events. The first of which was UFC 173, where Belfort withdrew from the bout following the Nevada State Athletic Commission's ban on testosterone replacement therapy. The other events were UFC 181 and UFC 184, where Weidman withdrew from both bouts because of a broken hand and injured ribs, respectively.[4]

The event was also expected to feature a UFC Lightweight Championship title eliminator bout between top contenders Khabib Nurmagomedov and Donald Cerrone.[7] However, Nurmagomedov pulled out of the bout on April 30 because of a knee injury. He was replaced by John Makdessi.[8]

Sean Spencer was expected to face Mike Pyle at the event. However, Spencer pulled out of the bout on April 23 because of an injury.[9] He was replaced by Colby Covington.[10]

Nina Ansaroff missed weight on her first attempt at the weigh-ins, coming in 4 lb overweight at 120 lb. After having made no attempts to cut further, she was fined 20 percent of her fight purse, which went to Rose Namajunas.[11] However, on the day of the event, Ansaroff pulled out of the bout after contracting a case of the flu. As a result, the fight was pulled from the event entirely.[12]

During the Fox Sports 1 preliminary card broadcast, the UFC announced that B.J. Penn, Bas Rutten and the late Jeff Blatnick would be inducted to the UFC's revamped Hall of Fame at the "International Fight Week" in July, surrounding UFC 189.[13][14]

Jones' hit-and-run incident

[edit]

On April 26, it was rumored that Jones was forced out of the event. After several rumors regarding the cause of Jones' possible removal, it was later reported by MMAFighting that Jones was being sought for questioning in a hit-and-run car accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he lives. At the time, the case was under investigation and the Albuquerque Police Department wanted to speak with Jones regarding the matter. According to Albuquerque PD spokesman Simon Drobik, Jones was named as a suspect, but he had yet to be reached by anyone.[15] The UFC stated that they were aware of APD's interest in speaking to Jones and they were "in the process of gathering facts and will reserve further comment until more information was available."[16]

On the following day, new information came out that Jones allegedly fled the scene of the accident before turning back to grab "a large handful of cash," according to a police report. An officer on the scene searched the car that allegedly ran a red light and caused the accident early Sunday morning, and stated he found documents identifying Jones. The officer also found a marijuana pipe and marijuana inside the rented vehicle.[17] Jones' case was being investigated as a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and fines. However the victim, a pregnant woman, suffered a broken bone and now Jones faces a felony charge, which carries jail time of up to three years, as well as fines.[18] An arrest warrant for the fighter was issued and Jones eventually turned himself in, after his lawyer arranged the plans for his surrender.[19][20] Just hours later, Jones posted the $2,500 bail and left the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center on Monday night.[21] On April 28, the UFC announced that Jones was stripped of his belt and suspended indefinitely due to his alleged involvement.[6]

Results

[edit]
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight Daniel Cormier def. Anthony Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 2:39 [a]
Middleweight Chris Weidman (c) def. Vitor Belfort TKO (punches) 1 2:53 [b]
Lightweight Donald Cerrone def. John Makdessi TKO (head kick) 2 4:44
Heavyweight Andrei Arlovski def. Travis Browne TKO (punches) 1 4:41
Flyweight Joseph Benavidez def. John Moraga Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)
Flyweight John Dodson def. Zach Makovsky Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Welterweight Dong Hyun Kim def. Josh Burkman Submission (arm-triangle choke) 3 2:13
Middleweight Rafael Natal def. Uriah Hall Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
Welterweight Colby Covington def. Mike Pyle Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 30–27) 3 5:00
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Lightweight Islam Makhachev def. Leo Kuntz Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 2:38
Flyweight Justin Scoggins def. Josh Sampo Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
  1. ^ For the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
  2. ^ For the UFC Middleweight Championship.

[22]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[23]

  • Fight of the Night: Andrei Arlovski vs. Travis Browne
  • Performance of the Night: Daniel Cormier and Chris Weidman

Reported payout

[edit]

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money and also does not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses.[24]

  • Daniel Cormier: $180,000 (includes $90,000 win bonus) def. Anthony Johnson: $500,000
  • Chris Weidman: $500,000 (includes $250,000 win bonus) def. Vitor Belfort: $300,000
  • Donald Cerrone: $152,000 (includes $76,000 win bonus) def. John Makdessi: $30,000
  • Andrei Arlovski: $84,000 (includes $42,000 win bonus) def. Travis Browne: $60,000
  • Joseph Benavidez: $106,000 (includes $53,000 win bonus) def. John Moraga: $28,000
  • John Dodson: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus) def. Zach Makovsky: $19,000
  • Dong Hyun Kim: $116,000 (includes $58,000 win bonus) def. Josh Burkman: $45,000
  • Rafael Natal: $70,000 (includes $35,000 win bonus) def. Uriah Hall: $14,000
  • Colby Covington: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. Mike Pyle: $51,000
  • Islam Makhachev: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Leo Kuntz: $10,000
  • Justin Scoggins: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus) def. Josh Sampo: $13,000

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

UFC 187

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from Grokipedia
UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier was a event produced by the (UFC) on May 23, 2015, at the in , part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The event featured 11 bouts, drawing an announced attendance of 12,615 fans and generating a live gate of $5,189,167, while achieving approximately 375,000 buys. It marked a significant card in the UFC's 2015 schedule, highlighted by two championship fights amid the promotion's ongoing expansion in the sport. The main event was a light heavyweight title bout between Anthony "Rumble" Johnson and Daniel "DC" Cormier for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, after former champion was stripped of the title and indefinitely suspended due to his involvement in a hit-and-run incident that violated the UFC's . Cormier, a former Olympic wrestler making his debut in the UFC, secured the win via rear-naked choke submission at 2:39 of the third round, claiming the belt in his first title fight at 205 pounds and immediately calling out Jones for a future matchup. In the co-main event, middleweight champion defended his title against , stopping the Brazilian veteran with a TKO (punches) at 2:53 of the first round, marking his third successful defense and solidifying his reign despite early pressure from Belfort's aggressive striking. Other notable bouts included lightweight veteran Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone's second-round TKO (head kick) victory over , extending his win streak to eight, and a clash where upset top-ranked contender via first-round TKO (punches) at 4:41, revitalizing Arlovski's career with a highlight-reel knockout that earned Fight of the Night honors. Flyweight contender outpointed via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) in a pivotal prelim headliner, positioning himself as a top challenger in the division, while undefeated Russian prospect made his promotional debut with a second-round rear-naked choke submission over Leo Kuntz. The event's undercard also featured wins for (arm-triangle choke submission in round three over Josh Burkman) and (unanimous decision over Mike Pyle), alongside flyweight unanimous decisions for John Dodson over Zach Makovsky and over Josh Sampo, and a controversial victory for Rafael Natal over in the division. Overall, UFC 187 showcased a mix of title implications, upsets, and emerging talents, contributing to its status as one of the promotion's marquee events of the year.

Event Overview

Date, Location, and Attendance

UFC 187 was held on May 23, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. This event marked the 187th in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's numbered pay-per-view series. The MGM Grand Garden Arena, a multi-purpose venue with a seating capacity of approximately 17,000, has long been a cornerstone location for UFC events, hosting over 40 of the promotion's major cards since the early 2000s, including numerous title fights and high-profile bouts. The card drew an announced paid attendance of 12,615 fans, generating a live gate revenue of $5,189,167 according to figures reported by UFC officials.

Broadcasting and Revenue

UFC 187's main card was distributed via in the United States, priced at $49.99 for standard definition and $59.99 for high definition, through providers such as , , and . The preliminary card featured early bouts streamed exclusively on starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the main prelims on at 8:00 p.m. ET, with Spanish-language coverage on . Internationally, the event was broadcast through and affiliates in over 150 countries, leveraging the UFC's multi-year partnership with Fox established in 2011. The event recorded approximately 375,000 buys, a figure impacted by the last-minute main event change but still comparable to mid-tier UFC cards of the era, such as and , which also achieved 375,000 buys each. The prelims averaged 780,000 viewers, contributing to the event's overall media exposure that extended well beyond the 12,615 attendees at the . Excluding live gate receipts, the primary revenue stream for UFC 187 derived from sales, which, at a gross of roughly $55 per buy based on 2015 pricing, generated an estimated $20.6 million in total PPV revenue before distributor and sharing agreements. Exact breakdowns remain undisclosed as a private company. This PPV output represented a solid but not record-setting contribution to the UFC's 2015 total of approximately 8 million buys across all events.

Background

Announcement and Initial Card

UFC 187 was initially announced as part of the UFC's 2015 schedule in November 2014, with the event slated for May 23 at the in , . The first major bouts for the card were officially revealed on , 2015, generating significant anticipation for a stacked lineup. The headline attraction featured UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones defending his title against surging contender Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, who was riding a nine-fight winning streak that included a first-round stoppage of former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson. This matchup was positioned as a potential showcase for Jones' ongoing dominance, marking what would have been his ninth title defense. The co-main event pitted UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman against Vitor Belfort in a rescheduled bout originally targeted for earlier events, with Belfort aiming to claim a second divisional crown in the promotion. Rounding out the initial main card announcements were a high-stakes heavyweight clash between and , both former training partners seeking to rebound from recent setbacks and climb back into title contention. Additionally, a eliminator bout was set between Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and undefeated prospect , adding further star power to the lineup. Promoters emphasized the championship doubleheader and the explosive heavyweight matchup as key drawing points, billing the event as a weekend spectacle poised to deliver multiple title implications and fan-favorite action. Early undercard developments followed swiftly, with the addition of strawweight and flyweight bouts such as versus Nina Ansaroff and Josh Sampo versus announced just days later on February 25, 2015, to build depth and showcase emerging talents. These initial revelations positioned UFC 187 as one of the promotion's most anticipated cards of the year, centered on elite title stakes and high-impact collisions.

Changes Due to Jon Jones' Incident

On April 26, 2015, UFC champion was involved in a hit-and-run in , when he allegedly ran a red light in a rented , colliding with another driven by a 25-year-old pregnant woman who suffered a broken arm and was hospitalized. Witnesses reported that Jones fled the scene on foot, returned briefly to retrieve a handful of cash from the vehicle, and fled again, leaving the injured driver behind. Jones turned himself in to police the following day and faced charges for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in great bodily injury, along with a charge for driving with an invalid license; a small amount of was also found in the vehicle. On September 29, 2015, Jones accepted a deal, pleading guilty to the charge but receiving a conditional discharge with 18 months of supervised , 72 hours of , and 48 hours of alcohol screening in lieu of jail time. In response, the UFC issued Jones an indefinite suspension on April 28, 2015, and stripped him of his title, citing violations of the organization's athlete . This decision came one day after the incident's details emerged publicly and directly impacted UFC 187, where Jones was originally scheduled to defend the title against Anthony Johnson in the main event. To fill the vacancy, the UFC announced that , who was set to face elsewhere, would step in to challenge Johnson for the vacant championship as the new main event on May 23, 2015. The incident also prompted additional adjustments to the undercard: withdrew due to injury from his lightweight bout against , with stepping in on short notice as his replacement. Separately, strawweight fighter Nina Ansaroff contracted the flu during fight week, leading her to miss the 115-pound limit by five pounds at weigh-ins and withdraw; her bout against was subsequently scratched by the State Athletic Control Board after doctors deemed Ansaroff medically unfit to compete. At the official weigh-ins on , , all fighters except Ansaroff made weight without further issues, confirming the revised 11-bout card for the event.

Fight Results

Main Card

The main card of UFC 187 featured four bouts with significant implications, including two fights for the vacant championship and the defense. These contests were held on the portion and showcased a mix of striking exchanges and dominance.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Travis Browne (Heavyweight)

Andrei Arlovski faced Travis Browne in the main card opener, a matchup between two heavyweight contenders known for their knockout power. Arlovski entered the fight hampered by a pre-fight calf injury but overcame early pressure to secure a stunning victory. Round 1: The fight began with both fighters trading heavy punches, as Browne pressed forward aggressively. Arlovski countered effectively, landing a right hand that staggered Browne early. He followed with a backfist and additional strikes, dropping Browne to the canvas. Browne rallied with a powerful right hook that knocked Arlovski down momentarily, but Arlovski recovered and unleashed an uppercut followed by a right cross, prompting referee Mark Smith to stop the bout at 4:41 due to unanswered strikes. In terms of stats, Arlovski outlanded Browne in significant strikes 51 of 85 to 15 of 38, with each fighter scoring one knockdown; no takedowns were attempted, and control time was minimal at 0:05 for Arlovski and 0:06 for Browne.
FighterSig. Strikes (Landed/Att.)Takedowns (Landed/Att.)Control Time
Arlovski51/850/00:05
Browne15/380/00:06

Donald Cerrone vs. John Makdessi (Lightweight)

Donald "Cowboy" took on , who stepped in as a late replacement for . The bout highlighted Cerrone's kicking game against Makdessi's technical striking. Round 1: controlled the distance with low leg kicks and a switch kick that visibly affected Makdessi. Makdessi responded with jabs to the body and head, but 's volume edged the round. Significant strikes were close, with landing 31 of 78 and Makdessi 32 of 59; no takedowns or control time were recorded. Round 2: continued targeting Makdessi's legs with kicks before landing a devastating high head kick at 4:44, which fractured Makdessi's . Makdessi signaled to the , leading to a doctor stoppage and TKO victory for . In the round, outstruck Makdessi 40 of 93 to 40 of 70, again with no takedowns or control. Overall, held a striking edge in attempts despite Makdessi landing slightly more accurately.
FighterRound 1 Sig. Strikes (L/A)Round 2 Sig. Strikes (L/A)Total Takedowns (L/A)Total Control
31/7840/930/00:00
Makdessi32/5940/700/00:00

vs. ( Championship)

UFC middleweight champion defended his title against in the co-main event, a rematch following Belfort's controversial win over . Weidman aimed to solidify his reign with his wrestling base. Round 1: opened with front kicks, but Weidman closed distance for a at 1:30, advancing to mount. From there, Weidman rained down elbows and punches, forcing referee to intervene at 2:53 as absorbed damage without effective defense. Weidman dominated stats with 46 of 69 significant strikes to 's 18 of 32, including the lone (1 of 2 attempted) and 1:13 control time. No submission attempts occurred.
FighterSig. Strikes (L/A)Takedowns (L/A)Control Time
Weidman46/691/21:13
18/320/00:00

Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony "Rumble" Johnson ( Championship)

The main event pitted against Anthony Johnson for the vacant title, stripped from due to his legal issues. Cormier, an Olympic wrestler, sought to counter Johnson's explosive striking. Round 1: Johnson rocked Cormier with an overhand right early, scoring a knockdown and landing 11 of 26 significant strikes. Cormier recovered, securing two takedowns (2 of 5) and controlling for 3:02 while landing 5 of 13 strikes from top position. The round ended 10-9 for Cormier due to control. Round 2: Cormier executed a clean (1 of 1) and advanced to , landing 14 of 22 significant strikes including elbows, with two submission attempts and 4:32 control time. Johnson managed 8 of 13 strikes but couldn't escape, giving Cormier another 10-9 round. Round 3: Cormier pressed for another (0 of 2 successful), but transitioned to Johnson's back after a scramble. He locked in a rear-naked choke at 2:39, forcing the tap and claiming the title. Cormier landed 4 of 6 strikes with one submission attempt and 1:41 control; Johnson scored 4 of 11 strikes and a late (1 of 2) before the finish. Overall, Cormier led in s (3 of 8) and control (9:15), with strikes even at 23 apiece.
FighterR1 Sig. Strikes (L/A)R2 Sig. Strikes (L/A)R3 Sig. Strikes (L/A)Total Takedowns (L/A)Total Control
Cormier5/1314/224/63/89:15
Johnson11/268/134/111/20:42

Preliminary Card

The preliminary card of UFC 187 featured eight scheduled bouts across early prelims and prelims, highlighting emerging talents and veteran contenders in non-title matchups that contributed to the event's depth amid the main card's championship focus. These fights showcased a blend of striking, , and wrestling exchanges, with several decisions underscoring the competitive nature of the undercard. The early prelims kicked off with a flyweight contest where utilized superior volume to outpoint Josh Sampo, earning a victory with scores of 30-27 across the board. Scoggins landed 64 significant strikes to Sampo's 35, effectively stuffing takedown attempts while mixing in leg kicks to disrupt his opponent's rhythm. In the following lightweight bout, asserted dominance over Leo Kuntz, securing three takedowns and finishing with a rear-naked choke submission at 2:38 of the second round after transitioning from mount position. This performance highlighted Makhachev's early UFC promise through precise control and submission hunting. Transitioning to the Fox Sports 1 portion, overwhelmed Mike Pyle with persistent wrestling, achieving two takedowns and controlling 11:22 of ground time en route to a win (30-27, 29-28, 30-27). Covington's pressure neutralized Pyle's counterstriking, marking a breakout showing for the wrestler in his third UFC appearance. The middleweight matchup between Rafael Natal and proved contentious, with Natal securing a victory (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) via effective clinch work and one successful takedown that limited Hall's explosive kicks and knees. Hall's dynamic offense nearly swayed the bout, but Natal's volume in the later rounds tipped the scales for two judges. Dong Hyun Kim delivered a gritty comeback against Josh Burkman in welterweight action, reversing an early takedown attempt to mount Burkman and sink an arm-triangle choke for the submission at 2:13 of the third round. Kim absorbed early pressure but capitalized on his judo base to reverse position and force the tap, extending his welterweight win streak. Flyweight John Dodson, returning from an ACL injury, used blistering hand speed to edge Zach Makovsky via unanimous decision (29-28 x3), landing 31 significant strikes to Makovsky's 37 while defending all of Makovsky's 17 takedown attempts. Dodson's counters and movement frustrated Makovsky's wrestling, positioning Dodson as a continued flyweight contender. The featured Fox prelim was a pivotal flyweight eliminator where outworked for a (30-27 x3), blending sharp with timely sprawls to neutralize Moraga's submissions. Benavidez attempted six takedowns of his own, controlling the pace and reinforcing his status as a top flyweight challenger. One bout was scratched from the card: a planned strawweight matchup between and Nina Ansaroff, as Ansaroff withdrew due to flu-related illness rendering her medically unfit to compete.
BoutWeight ClassWinnerMethodRoundTimeScores
Justin Scoggins vs. Josh SampoFlyweightJustin ScogginsUnanimous Decision35:0030-27, 30-27, 30-27
Islam Makhachev vs. Leo KuntzLightweightIslam MakhachevSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)22:38N/A
Colby Covington vs. Mike PyleWelterweightColby CovingtonUnanimous Decision35:0030-27, 29-28, 30-27
Rafael Natal vs. Uriah HallMiddleweightRafael NatalSplit Decision35:0029-28, 28-29, 29-28
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Josh BurkmanWelterweightDong Hyun KimSubmission (Arm-Triangle Choke)32:13N/A
John Dodson vs. Zach MakovskyFlyweightJohn DodsonUnanimous Decision35:0029-28, 29-28, 29-28
Joseph Benavidez vs. John MoragaFlyweightJoseph BenavidezUnanimous Decision35:0030-27, 30-27, 30-27

Post-Fight

Bonus Awards

At UFC 187, the awarded its standard post-event performance bonuses to recognize exceptional efforts in the . These incentives, selected by UFC executives based on dominant finishes and the most compelling bouts, totaled $200,000 distributed across four recipients, each earning $50,000. Performance of the Night bonuses went to two fighters for their standout individual victories. received $50,000 for his rear-naked choke submission of Anthony "Rumble" Johnson in the main event title fight, securing the championship in the third round. earned $50,000 for his first-round TKO of in the co-main event, retaining the UFC title via ground-and-pound after a brief scare. The Fight of the Night award, given for the most exciting matchup, was presented to and , each receiving $50,000 for their chaotic clash that ended with Arlovski's first-round TKO (punches). The bout featured multiple momentum shifts in the opening round, including a knockdown of Arlovski early on, highlighting both fighters' resilience and striking power.

Reported Payouts

The reported payouts for UFC 187, as disclosed by the , highlighted significant earnings for the event's top fighters, with a total disclosed payroll of $2.452 million across the card. earned $500,000 for his title defense victory, including a $250,000 win bonus. Anthony Johnson received $500,000 in show money for the light title bout, despite the loss. pocketed $180,000 total, comprising $90,000 to show and a $90,000 win bonus for capturing the vacant . Other notable earners included , who was paid $300,000 in base pay for his title challenge. earned $152,000 ($76,000 to show plus $76,000 win bonus) for his lightweight main card win. received $84,000 ($42,000 to show and $42,000 win bonus) for his victory. took home $106,000 ($53,000 to show plus $53,000 win bonus) from his flyweight bout.
FighterBase Pay / ShowWin BonusTotal Disclosed Payout
$250,000$250,000$500,000
Anthony Johnson$500,000$0$500,000
$90,000$90,000$180,000
$300,000$0$300,000
$76,000$76,000$152,000
$42,000$42,000$84,000
$53,000$53,000$106,000
Many undercard fighters' purses were not publicly disclosed by the commission, and all figures exclude potential endorsements, performance bonuses, or revenue shares.

Immediate Aftermath

, who had been stripped of the title prior to the event due to his involvement in a hit-and-run incident, initially pleaded not guilty to charges in April 2015. In September 2015, he accepted a deal, pleading guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident and receiving 18 months of supervised probation while avoiding jail time. The UFC upheld its indefinite suspension of Jones pending full legal resolution and clearance. Belfort's quick defeat, which began with an early slip allowing Weidman to close distance and initiate ground strikes, drew criticism in light of his controversial history with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), despite the program's discontinuation by 2015. Johnson's title loss marked a significant setback in his career trajectory, though he continued competing until announcing his retirement after a subsequent defeat to Cormier at in April 2017, before briefly returning to the sport in 2021–2022; Johnson, who passed away on May 12, 2024, at the age of 38, had his comeback fueled by this first-round TKO win over . Media coverage lauded UFC 187 for its high-quality action despite the pre-event turmoil, highlighted by a 64 percent finish rate (7 of 11 bouts ended by stoppage) across the card. During the event's preliminary broadcasts, the UFC announced its 2015 Hall of Fame inductees, including modern wing honoree , pioneer , and contributor Jeff Blatnick, adding to the post-fight buzz. No major injuries were reported beyond routine post-fight medical suspensions, such as 180-day terms for fighters like due to a broken and for precautionary reasons.

References

  1. https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-187
  2. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/29455-ufc-187-aldo-vs-mcgregor
  3. https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/675/ufc-187
  4. https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/This-Day-in-MMA-History-UFC-187-Cormier-vs-Johnson-197063
  5. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2015/05/24/ufc-187-draws-reported-attendance-of-12615-fans-for-5189167-live-gate/82397145007/
  6. https://www.vegas4locals.com/venue/mgm-grand-garden-arena/
  7. https://seatgeek.com/blog/mgm-grand-garden-arena-seatgeeks-guide-to-the-stunning-las-vegas-indoor
  8. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2347392-report-ufc-to-increase-ppv-prices-by-5-for-2015
  9. https://www.mmaoddsbreaker.com/news/6019-18diving-into-the-ufc-187-prelims-on-fox-sports-1/
  10. https://www.ufcespanol.com/news/how-watch-ufc-187-johnson-vs-cormier
  11. https://www.lowkickmma.com/ufc-187-pay-per-view-buy-rate-revealed/
  12. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattconnolly/2015/12/30/ufc-in-2015-ronda-rousey-conor-mcgregor-drive-record-revenue-ppv-buys-attendance/
  13. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/ufc/ufc-releases-full-schedule-for-2015
  14. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jon-Jones-vs-Anthony-Johnson-Announced-as-Main-Event-for-UFC-187-in-Las-Vegas-82059
  15. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12345367/jon-jones-meet-anthony-johnson-one-two-ufc-187-title-fights
  16. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2015/02/18/jones-johnson-weidman-belfort-cerrone-nurmagomedov-top-ufc-187-in-may/82407861007/
  17. https://sports.yahoo.com/chris-weidman-vs-vitor-belfort-rescheduled-ufc-187-020107897--mma.html
  18. https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/2/18/8066331/ufc-187-rounds-out-main-card-with-fights-between-andrei-arlovski
  19. https://www.mmamania.com/f/2015/2/18/8066469/arlovski-returns-versus-browne
  20. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-187-features-championship-doubleheader-may-23
  21. https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/2/25/8111841/ufc-187-adds-rose-namajunas-vs-nina-ansaroff-and-josh-sampo-vs-justin
  22. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jon-Jones-Pleads-Guilty-to-HitandRun-Charge-Receives-18-Months-Probation-93215
  23. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12772005/ufc-champion-jon-jones-sought-suspect-hit-run-accident
  24. https://mmajunkie.com/2015/04/witnesses-jon-jones-fled-hit-and-run-scene-with-handful-of-cash-pot-found-in-rental-car
  25. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12783425/jon-jones-stripped-light-heavyweight-title-suspended-ufc
  26. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/13770705/jon-jones-makes-plea-deal-avoid-jail-traffic-case
  27. https://mmajunkie.com/2015/09/ex-ufc-champ-jon-jones-avoids-jail-time-gets-probation-following-hit-and-run
  28. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2015/04/28/jon-jones-stripped-of-ufc-title-cormier-meets-johnson-for-vacant-belt-at-ufc-187/82399344007/
  29. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Daniel-Cormier-Replaces-Jon-Jones-Faces-Rumble-Johnson-for-Vacant-Title-at-UFC-187-85423
  30. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/John-Makdessi-Replaces-Injured-Nurmagomedov-Faces-Donald-Cerrone-at-UFC-187-85511
  31. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Nina-Ansaroff-Ill-UFC-187-Strawweight-Bout-with-Rose-Namajunas-Canceled-86597
  32. https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/5/23/8650333/nina-ansaroff-has-flu-fight-with-rose-namajunas-off-ufc-187-card
  33. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-187-Weighin-Results-Four-TitleBout-Participants-Hit-Marks-in-Las-Vegas-86531
  34. https://www.mmamania.com/2015/5/18/8618641/ufc-187-live-results-stream-play-by-play-updates-johnson-cormier-weidman-belfort-las-vegas-mma
  35. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/652a73f4bf7f1932
  36. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12940630/donald-cerrone-stops-john-makdessi
  37. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/bee780601ad13583
  38. https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/5/23/8651905/ufc-187-results-donald-cerrone-finishes-john-makdessi-with-head-kick
  39. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12941467/ufc-187-chris-weidman-gets-first-round-knockout-vitor-belfort
  40. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/318460613b6018e9
  41. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/530fb0d1a26fc57a
  42. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-187-Results-Johnson-vs-Cormier-PlaybyPlay-Updates-86561
  43. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/419d8143afbcd61c
  44. https://www.espn.com/mma/fightcenter/_/id/400607621/league/ufc
  45. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/3c3da227fbe36a28
  46. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/0c36a08b1bf60f45
  47. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/b34c608bdfa655e8
  48. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2473586-ufc-187-johnson-vs-cormier-live-results-play-by-play-and-fight-card-highlights
  49. https://www.lowkickmma.com/ufc-187-preliminary-card-results/
  50. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/6257627ba49e42ab
  51. https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-187-Johnson-vs-Cormier-42199
  52. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/3a25be6438e3f94a
  53. https://www.ufc.com/news/ansaroff-ill-namajunas-fight
  54. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-187-Bonuses-Cormier-Weidman-Arlovski-Browne-Get-3650K-Awards-86617
  55. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2015/05/ufc-187-bonuses-you-know-andrei-arlovski-and-travis-browne-got-paid-50000
  56. https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/5/24/8652083/ufc-187-bonuses-daniel-cormier-chris-weidman-pocket-50000-each
  57. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2015/05/26/ufc-187-salaries-weidman-johnson-500000-each-top-2-452-million-payroll/82396915007/
  58. https://www.mmamania.com/2015/5/26/8660623/ufc-187-payouts-salaries-chris-weidman-anthony-johnson-500k-mma
  59. https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/5/26/8662949/ufc-187-salaries-chris-weidman-anthony-johnson-score-500000-paydays
  60. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2477239-ufc-187-salaries-daniel-cormier-earns-180000-for-light-heavyweight-title-win
  61. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-187-Salaries-Chris-Weidman-Rumble-Johnson-Top-Payroll-86759
  62. https://bloodyelbow.com/2015/05/26/ufc-187-fighter-pay-anthony-johnson-chris-weidman-half-a-million-dollars-belfort-cormier-mma-news/
  63. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2015/09/29/ex-ufc-champ-jon-jones-avoids-jail-time-gets-probation-following-hit-and-run/82382426007/
  64. https://www.si.com/mma/2015/09/29/jon-jones-plea-deal-traffic-case-avoids-jail-time
  65. https://www.mmafighting.com/2015/5/23/8648697/ufc-187-live-blog-chris-weidman-vs-vitor-belfort
  66. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/19115190/daniel-cormier-defeats-anthony-johnson-second-round-submission-retain-ufc-light-heavyweight-title
  67. https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/5/12/24155291/anthony-rumble-johnson-former-ufc-title-challenger-dies-at-38
  68. https://www.ufc.com/news/andrei-arlovski-fire-remains
  69. https://www.ufc.com/news/bj-penn-joins-ufc-hall-fame-july
  70. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-187-Medical-Suspensions-Belfort-Makdessi-Arlovski-Browne-Facing-6Month-Layoffs-86773
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