DC: AJ’s only path to victory is a KO
Daniel Cormier: “Don’t waste your breath and your time. He knows. He knows his only path to victory.”
During a recent conference call for UFC 210, light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier got a little testy when a reporter asked challenger Anthony Johnson if he could see his hand getting raised without getting a knockout. DC interrupted AJ to answer for him.
He does not believe that if he doesn’t knock me out, he’s going to get his hand raised,” said Cormier as transcribed by Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie. “That’s why he didn’t answer your question. Anthony’s a smart guy. He won’t lie to you.
Johnson tried to offer a contrary opinion, but Cormier again cut him off.
He has no doubt in his mind that if he doesn’t knock me out, he’s [not] going to win … So don’t waste your breath and your time. He knows. He knows his only path to victory.
If Anthony makes me [get into a grinding fight], then I will. It really depends on how I decide to fight this fight.
Anthony Johnson “only” being able to win via KO is a big only. in 2014 he knocked out Little Nog in 44 seconds. In 2015 he knocked out Alexander Gustafsson in 2:15, lost via tapout to Cormier, and knocked out Jimi Manuwa in the second. In 2016 Rumble turned it up, knocking out Ryan Bader at 1:26 and Glover Teixeira in just 13 seconds.
In his one loss since 2012, the decision to Cormier, Johnson hurt Cormier and appeared close to ending the fight. That was in May of 2015. Rumble, 33, won three straight all by early KO. By contrast, Cormier, 38, has won a split decision over Alexander Gustafsson and a decision over middleweight G.O.A.T. Anderson Silva. Looking at who has improved more, AJ “only” being able to win by KO is a big only.
UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2 will be held on April 8, 2017, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.