UFC 178: Johnson Rules While McGregor and Cruz Strike Fast
Demetrious Johnson retained the UFC flyweight championship against Chris Cariaso at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014. The MGM Grand Garden Arena card in Las Vegas paired a decisive title defense with major wins for Donald Cerrone, Conor McGregor and returning former champion Dominick Cruz.
Johnson turns control into a finish
Johnson submitted Cariaso at 2:29 of the second round. His movement between positions and control on the ground created the finishing opportunity, completing the fifth successful defense of his 125-pound championship. The headliner demonstrated the champion’s ability to turn sustained pressure into a submission.
Cerrone defeated Eddie Alvarez by unanimous decision in the lightweight co-main event. Alvarez’s UFC debut went all three rounds, but Cerrone’s kicks and accurate offense helped secure the verdict. All three judges scored it 29–28.
Cerrone, McGregor and Cruz deliver
McGregor needed far less time against Dustin Poirier, winning by first-round stoppage at 1:46. Cruz also finished quickly, stopping Takeya Mizugaki at 1:01 of the opening round. Their performances earned bonuses and gave the event two emphatic results beneath its championship bout.
Cat Zingano stopped Amanda Nunes in the third round, while Yoel Romero defeated Tim Kennedy by third-round TKO in a middleweight contest. The combination made UFC 178 unusually deep: Johnson successfully defended his title, Cerrone spoiled a major debut, and multiple contenders delivered finishes. The championship remained the main event’s prize, but the supporting results gave fans several reasons to remember the night.
Sources
- View the official UFC 178 event archive on UFC.com.
- ufc.com: mighty mouse reigns supreme subs cariaso two
- ufc.com: cowboy and conor deliver big wins ufc 178
Article Tags
UFC 178, UFC history, MMA
