NYSAC Denies Anthony Johnson’s Appeal of Loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 210

Anthony Johnson’s loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 210 will stand.

Sherdog.com confirmed with a New York State Athletic Commission official on Friday that Johnson’s request for an appeal has been denied. The news was first reported by ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto.

The New York State Athletic Commission has completed its review of Mr. Johnson’s request,” a commission statement read. “The official results of the Cormier/Johnson bout will not be disturbed, and the matter is now closed.”

Cormier submitted Johnson with a rear-naked choke at the 3:37 mark of round two in their 205-pound title rematch in the UFC 210 headliner in Buffalo, N.Y., on April 8. Johnson then announced his retirement after the defeat.

However, it was Cormier’s action at the weigh-ins that caused controversy. The champion initially tipped the scales at 206.2 pounds but then checked in at 205 pounds on the nose less than three minutes later. Cormier, who stripped to make weight, appeared to grab the privacy towel in front of him, which could have manipulated the reading on the scale. “DC” later denied having any knowledge of such a technique and simply claimed he was attempting to avoid showing his “junk” to those in attendance.

Johnson’s complaint called for Cormier fined 20 percent of his purse and to be stripped of his light heavyweight title. According to a letter to Johnson’s attorney from the NYSAC obtained by MMAjunkie.com, the fighter’s request for a hearing to discuss the issue was denied in part because Johnson did not protest his opponent’s actions at any time during the 36-hour period between the weigh-in and the conclusion of their bout. Since Cormier’s official weight was 205 pounds, Johnson’s appeal was denied.

However, the NYSAC has updated its weigh-in policy since then to include the provision that when on the scale, “a fighter shall stand still with his or her feet flat upon the scale and shall not make physical contact with any person or object other than the scale.” Any fighter who “fails to act in good faith, engages in disruptive behavior or violates any rule or directive of the commission during the official weigh-in” could face disciplinary action. Additionally, a fighter can be asked to retake the scale if it is believed that his or her weight was not properly assessed.