UFC 192: Daniel Cormier defends title after defeating Alexander Gustafsson - UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier proved his mettle once again on Saturday as he successfully defended his title for the first time at UFC 192 by defeating Alexander Gustafsson at Toyota Center.

There is no denying the fact that it was the most difficult win of Cormier's six-year professional career. In the third round, Cormier was knocked down by a Gustafsson knee and left hook and he suffered a deep cut under his right eye. Cormier threw 364 total strikes and landed 219. Gustafsson landed 130 of an attempted 264.

"I'm going away from a promo tonight and I'm just going to be myself," Cormier said. "Thank you, Alexander Gustafsson. You made me a better man and a better fighter tonight. I will forever be indebted to you for your performance.

"I talked a lot. It's my job to sell fights, but I expected [a tough fight]. I expected that Gustafsson -- that warrior, that guy I left part of myself in the Octagon against tonight."

Cormier lost a unanimous decision to Jones in January and he has claimed the throne in his absence. He won the 205-pound title by submitting Anthony Johnson at UFC 187 in May.

In the second round, Gustafsson managed to cut Cormier under the right eye with a left hook. He also scored a surprise takedown of his own, but Cormier did well to jump to his feet immediately.

"That was very effective," Cormier said. "Every time I hit him with it, I felt him stop. He stopped punching. He stopped moving. When you can make a striker try to wrestle you, you know you're doing a good job."