Daniel Cormier claims UFC light heavyweight crown with submission

Daniel Cormier took the vacated light heavyweight championship on Saturday when he forced Anthony "Rumble" Johnson to tap out in the third round.

Daniel Cormier claims the light heavyweight crown with a third-round victory. (USATSI)

Daniel Cormier got a hold of Anthony Johnson's neck and held on for dear life. Cormier, who was considered the No. 3 fighter for the light heavyweight crown heading into Saturday's fight, walked away the champion after forcing "Rumble" Johnson to tapout in the third round with 2:39 left.

Cormier stakes his claim to the crown left vacant by the UFC after Jon Jones was stripped of the title. Jones was charged with a felony hit and run in Las Vegas last month, his second incident of the year. Cormier is now 17-1, 6-1 in UFC while Johnson falls to 19-6, 10-6 in UFC.