They call the UFC Heavyweight champion “the baddest man on the planet”. Tonight’s title fight between champion Stipe Miocic and former heavyweight champion and light-heavyweight champion Daniel “DC” Cormier carries heavy stakes as the third fight in this trilogy.
The UFC has promoted this fight as the one to determine the greatest MMA heavyweight of all time. Fedor Emelianenko likely has a bone to pick with that contention. But clearly this fight is one of the most important, if not the most important, fight in UFC heavyweight history.
After winning the heavyweight strap by knocking out Miocic at UFC 226 in 2018, DC defended the belt one time by submitting Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis at UFC 230. DC then gave the strap back to Miocic at UFC 241 when Miocic won by fourth round TKO.
Round 1
Nice jab lands for Stipe. DC with a front kick. Another strong low kick for the champ. DC gets a takedown but Stipe is back to the feet in a front headlock by DC. DC lands a knee in that position. Miocic breaks free. Hard 1-2 thrown by Stipe. Followed by a good body shot for Miocic. Big overhand right lands for DC. Eye poke by DC briefly stops the action. Stipe with a big right hand followed by two body shots. DC with a big overhand right. Huge right hand from DC hurts Miocic. DC lands a few more hard shots to close the round.
Miocic was winning the round until the last sequence of the round when DC clearly hurt Miocic.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Cormier
Round 2
Miocic lands a hard uppercut. DC lands three hard shots as he moves forward and appeared to be going for the clinch before attacking with punches. Miocic with the left hook body shot. Good jab lands for DC. Miocic closes distance and lands a clean left hook. Three or four left hands land for DC followed by a hard right hand. DC showing superior hand speed. Several big right hands for Miocic drops DC. DC was clearly stunned by the knockdown at the end of the round.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Miocic
Round 3
Miocic on the attack to start the round as DC appears to still be compromised. The fight goes to the clinch along the fence. Mid-way through the round DC appears to have largely recovered. But DC does appear very tired. Big right hook lands for Miocic as the fighters break away from the clinch. Big right hand for Stipe lands. DC follows with a nice right hand of his own. Big round for Miocic as he controlled DC in the clinch up against the fence more much of the round. Replays, however, show a bad eye poke by Miocic on DC’s left eye.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Miocic
Round 4
Nice jab lands for DC who then follows by landing a good 1-2. Cormier with a nice jab. Miocic lands a hard right hand. DC lands a left hook to the body. Hard right hand lands for DC. Left hook for Miocic. DC lands a hard outside low kick. Two big right hands land for DC.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Cormier
Round 5
Good combination for Miocic. Miocic controlling DC in the clinch up against the cage. The clinch breaks halfway through the round. Big shots land for both fighters. Good right hand by DC. Two big right for Miocic with 90 seconds left. Two nice right hands for DC. Miocic lands more shots in the final round.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Miocic
Official decision – Unanimous decision victory for Miocic (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)