Stipe Miocic the ‘best heavyweight ever’ after beating Daniel Cormier at UFC 252
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
LAS VEGAS, 16 August 2020 – American-Croatian Stipe Miocic has confirmed himself as the “best heavyweight ever” in mixed martial arts after beating Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Miocic, 37, and Cormier, 41, meet for the heavyweight title for the third time and it was Miocic who looked more urgent early, landing the first few blows of the fight. Another poke in the eye by Cormier stopped the fight briefly before both fighters exchanged strikes in what was an even first round.
Miocic started the second round with a combination and controlled the round before knocking Cormier down seconds before the end. Cormier managed to hold on to the bell as Miocic came in for the finish.
Miocic would win the third round, controlling in the clinch and landing a number of powerful punches.
Although both fighters looked tired in the fourth, Cormier managed to land some good strikes himself but they would not rock the big American-Croatian.
Miocic would again take control, largely in the clinch in the fifth round and he would take a unanimous decision.
UFC boss Dana White said midweek that whoever won tonight’s trilogy will be the “best heavyweight ever” in mixed martial arts.
Tonight’s fight took place one year after Miocic won his UFC heavyweight belt back after a 4th round TKO against Cormier at UFC 241. Miocic got his revenge on Cormier after he beat him in their first meeting in 2018.
“TIL I DIE” 🏆
— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2020
🐐 Stipe Miocic is the greatest heavyweight of all-time! #UFC252 pic.twitter.com/m5Xu2mxxsT
Miocic has the most consecutive title defenses in UFC heavyweight history after defending his belt four times against Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Francis Ngannou and now Cormier.
The fight was Cormier’s last as he now retires.
A message from the heavyweight 🐐: pic.twitter.com/MxmdqXrF0j
— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2020