IT WAS ONE of the best fights of the year and after it, Daniel Cormier was still the world light heavyweight champion after a split-decision win over Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 192.
It was an exhausting battle and Cormier started brightly, despite taking a hit to the eye, and looked set to have little difficulty in keeping hold of his crown. But, just as the Swede did at UFC 165 in his brilliant display against Jon Jones, he stayed in the contest and hurt Cormier with a massive knee and punch in the third.
Still, Cormier responded with some big uppercuts and Gustaffson’s face was badly bloodied by the final bell.
The relentless nature of the fight seemed to take its toll on Gustafsson and he was struggling with fatigue by the fifth.
Afterwards, he praised Cormier:
D.C. is a beast. He proved he can strike. He’s a good boxer, a good stand-up guy. He’s the real champ.”
Meanwhile, Cormier was full of praise for his opponent too.
“Thank you, Alexander Gustafsson. I will forever be indebted to you and your performance tonight. Thank you. Thank you.”
Later, he said, “I left a part of myself in this Octagon tonight.”
