Stipe Miocic wins UFC heavyweight title back
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Stipe Miocic celebrates (Screenshot)
Stipe Miocic has won his UFC heavyweight title back
ANAHEIM, 17 August 2019 – Croatian-American Stipe Miocic has won his UFC heavyweight belt back on Saturday night after a 4th round TKO against Daniel Cormier at UFC 241 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Miocic created history once again and showed what a world-class fighter he is with a victory against Cormier after being behind on points after the first three rounds.
Stipe and DC square off before the fight (Screenshot)
Miocic, who was the lightest he has ever been for a fight, started the fight in the first round on the backfoot after he was picked up and taken down by Cormier. Cormier was landing blows whilst being on top of Miocic who was forced to defend for a good part of the opening round.
The second round saw both fighters trading punches on their feet with Miocic countering well despite his vision being hindered as his eyes were begining to close up. Cormier took the third round but it was obvious Miocic was starting to get into a nice rhythm.
How are we heading into round 4?!?!
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2019
Who’s up on your scorecard? #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/uj16549ORX
In the fourth round, Miocic changed up his tactics and started to land punches to Cormier’s body. After hurting Cormier with a right, Miocic poured it on with a series of blows as Cormier stumbled to the cage before referee Dean stopped the fight.
Miocic celebrated immediately with a little Croatian kolo dance.
“He is a tough guy, it is great to have the belt back. I love you Anaheim,” Miocic told Joe Rogan after the win.
“He is a great champion and I congratulate Stipe and his team on a great performance,” Cormier, who hinted at now retiring from fighting, said after the fight.
Miocic had not had a fight since taking on Cormier last year when he lost his belt, whilst Cormier defended his belt just the once against Derrick Lewis.
STIPE KNOCKS OUT DC IN ROUND 4!!!#AndNew! What a fight! #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/ocJIfpRvyj
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2019
36-year-old Miocic is the most accomplished UFC heavyweight and has the most consecutive title defences in UFC heavyweight history after defending his belt three times against Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos and Francis Ngannou.
