UFC 210
| Industry | Mixed martial arts promotion |
|---|---|
| Products | Mixed martial arts events |
UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2 was a mixed martial arts spectacle organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, taking place on April 8, 2017, at the KeyBank Center located in Buffalo, New York.
Background
This marked UFC’s second appearance in Buffalo since UFC 7 back in 1995, and notably the first event after New York State lifted its prohibition on professional MMA in early 2016.
The headline bout featured a rematch for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship between reigning titleholder Daniel Cormier and challenger Anthony Johnson. Their initial clash at UFC 187 in May 2015 ended with Cormier submitting Johnson in the third round to capture the vacant championship. The rematch had been originally planned for UFC 206 but was delayed due to an injury sustained by Cormier.
Controversy emerged during the weigh-ins when Cormier initially exceeded the weight limit by 1.2 pounds but subsequently made weight amid accusations that he used external support to steady himself—allegations that were refuted by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC). After this bout, Johnson declared his immediate retirement from both the UFC and professional fighting.
Debutant Pearl Gonzalez was scheduled to compete against Cynthia Calvillo, but was temporarily barred due to NYSAC rules prohibiting fighters with breast implants. This ruling was later overturned, allowing their fight to proceed as planned.
During the live broadcast of the main card, it was revealed that former WEC Featherweight Champion and UFC Bantamweight title contender Urijah Faber would be honored with induction into the Modern Era wing of the UFC Hall of Fame at the July ceremony held during UFC’s International Fight Week.
Results
{{MMAevent bout |Flyweight |Magomed Bibulatov |def. |Jenel Lausa |Decision (unanimous) (29–26, 29–26, 29–26) |} Bibulatov received a one-point deduction in round two for an illegal groin strike.
Bonus awards
Monetary bonuses of $50,000 were granted to:
- Fight of the Night: Shane Burgos vs. Charles Rosa
- Performance of the Night: Charles Oliveira and Gregor Gillespie
Aftermath
Following his victory over Brooks, Oliveira was suspended for two months by NYSAC due to his cage-jumping celebration.
Johnson’s camp submitted an appeal to NYSAC challenging Cormier’s weigh-in incident, seeking a penalty of 20% of Cormier’s fight purse and requesting that he be stripped of the light heavyweight title if his explanation proved unsatisfactory. Johnson favored a financial penalty rather than title forfeiture. The appeal was ultimately rejected on June 2.
At the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2022, Cormier admitted to possibly holding onto a towel during weigh-ins, which many interpreted as an acknowledgment related to the earlier controversy.