Many felt Daniel Cormier was taking a huge risk when he accepted a fight against Derrick Lewis on four weeks' notice in the main event of UFC 230. If things didn't go his way against the heavy-handed fighter known as "The Black Beast," Cormier's lucrative opportunity to face Brock Lesnar or a third fight with Jon Jones would have certainly gone up in smoke.
Cormier accepted the risk and made it look easy in submitting Lewis by rear-naked choke at 2:14 of the second round to retain the heavyweight championship.
Cormier taps Lewis in the 2nd round! Wow!! @DC_MMA #UFC230 pic.twitter.com/faK1qgcDEK
— UFC (@ufc) November 4, 2018
Here is how Twitter reacted to Cormier's decimation of Lewis and the likely showdown with Lesnar.
Very happy for you @dc_mma
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 4, 2018
Every fight HISTORY 🔝
You deserve everything what you have.
We are proud to have captain like you. #weareAKA #andstill #DanielCormier https://t.co/jE6YOxFUwS
First to hold both titles while defending them both at the same time. Can’t deny goat status now IMO. Congrats @dc_mma , you’re the man. #champchamp #kingofthegrind
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) November 4, 2018
Have to think Cormier-Lesnar happens at the newly announced UFC 235 in Las Vegas, two-and-a-half weeks before Cormier’s 40th birthday.
— John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) November 4, 2018
Cormier: "Brock Lesnar, when you come bring that brand new WWE championship because I feel like being a WWE champion too. Bring that belt if you come to my house."
— John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) November 4, 2018
2019 @dc_mma #UFC230 :D pic.twitter.com/z9OpMTJPAs
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) November 4, 2018
I love the champ-champ, @dc_mma . How can you not??? He is just so enthusiastic, genuine and happy, not to mention, one of the best fighters ever. #ufc230 pic.twitter.com/QPXXPcnTYt
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) November 4, 2018
For those who booed Cormier for dominating this fight are ridiculous. Do you think he should've traded punches with a guy who ONLY punches? You've got to be an all-around fighter to stand toe-to-toe with @dc_mma . The heavyweights are just punchers right now. @ufc #UFC230
— Jerry Blevins (@jerryblevins) November 4, 2018
fwiw, I'm not saying Cormier ISN'T one of the best of all time already, he clearly is. He's done things no one else has. Jones is just an asterix on his resume I'm sure he'd love to wipe off.
— NepentheZ (@NepentheZ) November 4, 2018
It’s a shame we’re only going to see Daniel Cormier fight a couple more times. The UFC needs more guys like him. Inside and out of the octagon DC just gets it. Great ambassador for the sport.
— Dan Hellie (@DanHellie) November 4, 2018
Daniel Cormier is now the first concurrent double UFC champion to defend both of titles. #UFC230
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) November 4, 2018
Daniel Cormier May not have the body of a champ but he sure is goood! #pause #Ufc
— Damien Dante Wayans (@DamienDW) November 4, 2018
Guys, we really gotta talk about where Daniel Cormier stands in the G.O.A.T. conversation. What he’s accomplished at 40 is remarkable. First fighter to hold and defend world titles in two different weight classes. Excellence.
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) November 4, 2018
.Although Lewis does have fight changing power, did anyone not expect the fight to go like this??
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) November 4, 2018
Double champ for the win 👏🏻👏🏻 He should totally shame @PopeyesChicken for siding with Lewis now 😂😂 #UFC230 https://t.co/KLNAkp6UuL
Easiest fight of cormier's career
— Anthony Wheeler (@NAMELESS) November 4, 2018
Daniel Cormier, a fat little guy (let's be honest), just manhandled a gargantuan human being. What's possibly boring about that? https://t.co/EOEIQtm5rE
— JE Snowden (@JESnowden) November 4, 2018
Daniel Cormier is one of the five greatest fighters in MMA history and he only has a couple of fights left in his career. Appreciate this man while you can. #UFC230
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) November 4, 2018