Daniel Cormier outwrestles Anderson Silva at UFC 200

MANILA, Philippines – UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier carved out a unanimous decision victory over former middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva in a non-title bout at UFC 200 on Sunday, July 10 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Courtesy of his bread-and-butter, Cormier outclassed perhaps the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of this generation to claim a unanimous vote from the cageside judges with 3 scores of 30-26 across the panel.

An easy work by Daniel Cormier. #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/qSO5AVZ2hz

— NISSI ICASIANO (@Nissi_Icasiano) July 10, 2016

The 37-year-old American used his grappling pedigree to negate Silva’s ferocious striking arsenal and convert 3 takedown attempts. 

Silva was not able to mount serious stand-up offense as Cormier easily scooped him down to the canvas and grinded with hard blows and slashing elbows to open the floodgate of blood from the Brazilian’s nose.

Although Cormier cruised to a lopsided victory, “The Spider “ had his moment in the dying second when he tagged and hurt his opponent with a left body kick before he was mollified along the fence. 

With the victory over Silva, Cormier improves his professional record to 18-1 and is now riding high on a 3-fight winning streak. 

Cormier was originally penciled for a rematch with rival Jon Jones in the main event, but the title unification match was cancelled after the latter was informed of a potential anti-doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition drug test.

UFC officials found a late replacement in Silva, who willingly offered his services on less than two days’ notice.

#Respect #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/skl0Ex1VCq

— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016

Silva was supposed to lock horns with Uriah Hall at UFC 198 last May, but an emergency gall bladder surgery forced him to withdraw from the fight.

The 41-year-old Brazilian admitted that he was inactive in training for a few months since his operation, but he noted that he only started to spar on Thursday, July 7.

Silva loses his fourth-straight outing inside the Octagon by yielding to Cormier and downgrades to a prizefighting slate of 33-8 (1 no contest). – Rappler.com