Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3023285/ufc-241-stipe-miocic-stops-daniel-cormier-tko
Martial Arts/ Mixed Martial Arts

UFC 241: Stipe Miocic stops Daniel Cormier by TKO to regain heavyweight title

  • Cormier dominates fight but Miocic adjusts and lands nasty body shots before referee waves it off the fourth round
  • ‘DC’ says he will speak to his wife ‘to make an educated decision’ about whether he will retire
Stipe Miocic celebrates his win over Daniel Cormier. Photos: AFP

Stipe Miocic regained his heavyweight title with a fourth-round TKO against Daniel Cormier in the main event at UFC 241 in Anaheim, California.

Cormier dominated from the off and was likely ahead on all of the judges’ scorecards going into the championship rounds. But Miocic began hurting him with body shots before going up top and knocking him down. A few more shots against the fence and the referee stepped in.

“DC’s a tough m***********, I’m gonna give it to him,” Miocic said inside the Octagon. “I caught him with a right hand, thank God because he’s tough, it’s a fight and anything can happen.

“I thought it was hurting him, my coach said use that right hand.”

A despondent Cormier suffered his first heavyweight loss. “I think he made a great adjustment like you said with the body shots. He’s a fantastic champion and congratulations to Stipe and his team,” Cormier told UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

“You don’t make decisions based on emotions. But it’s a tough pill to swallow and at 40 years old you know, with so many other opportunities, I need to speak to my wife and we need to make an educated decision about what we do.”

Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier in action in the third round.
Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier in action in the third round.

Miocic – who holds the record for most consecutive heavyweight title defences in the UFC (3) – had sat out since a first-round knockout defeat by Cormier over a year ago, while Cormier defended his title against Derrick Lewis. Miocic had claimed Cormier got lucky and demanded a rematch, while Cormier looked to seal a mega-money fight with former champion Brock Lesnar – who ended up sticking with professional wrestling and WWE.

Miocic tipped the scales 12 pounds lighter than in the previous fight, with his corner insisting he was much faster. But after some tentative early moments, Cormier caught Miocic with several shots before lifting him up and dropping him on his back, showing his elite wrestling skills.

Cormier got full guard with Miocic trying desperately to push off. He landed some hammer fists against the fence in the final seconds of a dominant opening round.

Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier get tangled during the third round during at UFC 241. Photo: AFP
Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier get tangled during the third round during at UFC 241. Photo: AFP

Miocic kept the distance and used his significant reach advantage early in the second round. But Cormier was dropping his hands and wading towards his opponent, clipping him with right hands.

It was becoming a “DC” style fight with dirty boxing in the pocket – the tactic he used to win their first bout, coming in with punches over the top.

“Am I losing?” Cormier asked his corner before the third round. He kept his hands up higher in the third round, more respectful and wary of Miocic’s knockout power after an early jab stung him.

Miocic put together some good combinations as he found his range but began to tire and was caught with a huge right as a gruelling fight went into the championship rounds.

Miocic’s chin held up better than the first fight – which was perhaps too quick a turnaround after he weathered some heavy shots defending the title against Francis Ngannou.

The fourth round was all Miocic, who started landing some nasty shots to the body with Cormier visibly wincing. He then suddenly caught Cormier upstairs before reining down shots against the fence and getting the TKO.