- Miocic won via unanimous decision.
- Cormier was better in the first round, but as time went by, Stipe took over the wheel.
- Both fighters poked one another in the eye.
- Cormier retires following this fight, Stipe awaits Ngannou.
Miocic’s Win Concludes the Trilogy
The two-time UFC heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic, once again defeated Daniel Cormier, keeping the title belt in his possession. This was his first title-defense following the reclaim of the throne, and fourth in total. Right now, Miocic has six title matches in the UFC heavyweight, which makes him tied with Randy Couture for the most in this division.
After this victory, Miocic’s legacy became even more significant, and many see him as the best heavyweight in MMA history.
“It’s not what I think, it’s what you guys think and the fans think. One minute you might say something and he might say something totally different. I’m happy where I’m at — I’ve done a lot,” said Stipe once asked about his point of view on that matter.
As for the match, Miocic used the same tactics as in the second fight, and that is to survive the first round and then gradually increase the tempo, using his stamina to create the difference in the octagon. And that is exactly what happened.
Cormier opened the bout better, had more significant strikes, and dictated the tempo in the initial five minutes. Stipe was caught wobbling after one hard elbow, but he managed to avoid further complications there.
However, the tide shifted during the middle of the second. The champ became more aggressive and in the final moments of the same, he smashed Cormier who then founded himself on the canvas seconds later. The horn for the end of the round saved DC in this one.
In the later stages of the fight, Miocic harrassed the challenger with body punches, and collected each point at the time, and that eventually brought him a win.
Stipe Against Ngannou, DC Retires
What Cormier said before the match, received a confirmation afterward. He is done with the UFC, and won’t be getting back to the octagon anymore.
“I’m not interested in fighting for anything but titles,” Cormier said. “I don’t imagine there’s going to be a title in the future, so that will be it for me. I’ve had a long run. It’s been great.”
DC was a bit angry because of the eye-poking, as he received one. He previously did the same to Stipe in round 1.
The champion already knows his next opponent, and that is Francis Ngannou, who is waiting for him for a long time. Since the UFC 220 when Miocic defended his title via unanimous decision, the Predator dreamed about the second chance. Lately, he’s been rolling over all of his opponents, and seems ready to attack Miocic once again.
“You can’t jump over Francis. Francis has been out there destroying everybody,” said Dana White after last night’s match.
There is no information when the fight would be, but according to some sources, the spring of 2021 is the optimal deadline.
