S. Miocic (left) beats D. Cormier (right) again and remains UFC heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Who expected a great spectacle in the main fight of the UFC 252, was not disappointed. In the main fight of this Saturday's event (15), in Las Vegas, Stipe Miocic e Daniel Cormier provided an exciting confrontation valid for the heavyweight belt (up to 120,2kg.). After five balanced rounds, the champion retained the title with a unanimous decision from the judges.
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With a new positive result against one of the best athletes in recent MMA history, Miocic consolidates himself as one of the biggest heavyweight names in the UFC. The victory marked the 20th triumph in the athlete's career, who remains at the top of the division.
After the fight, as promised, Cormier announced, in an interview, his retirement from the sport at the age of 41. During preparation for the UFC 252, DC openly declared that, regardless of the outcome of the trilogy, this would be his last performance as a professional in mixed martial arts.
The fight
The fight started with Miocic taking the initiative with a low kick. Daniel continued walking forward, but saved his strikes. Almost halfway through the round, DC looked for his opponent's legs and managed a takedown. Stipe, however, was able to get up easily. Cormier continued walking forward and tried to corner his rival against the bars. The champion scored with jabs, but was responded to in kind. The fight was interrupted close to the final minute after Miocic punched him in the eye. After being evaluated, the duel resumed with the combatants exchanging blows in the center of the octagon. In the final seconds, Miocic connected with a good sequence of punches, which shook DC. The former champion then started trying to take down his opponent, but Stpie remained alert. After a frank exchange, it was Daniel's turn to rock his opponent with a cross, but the timer ran to zero.
In the second round, the champion returned, taking the initiative with a low kick. Miocic continued to attack and tried to destabilize DC with a combination of punches. The athletes once again exchanged punches in the center of the octagon and sought the knockout at all costs. Stipe started rehearsing the tactics from the last fight and threw hooks at the challenger's waistline. The fight remained busy with the fighters exchanging punches. In the final minute, Cormier connected a good sequence of jabs, which landed cleanly on the champion's face. Stipe, however, continued to walk up and managed to shake the former champion, who fell and almost suffered a knockout, but was saved by the bell.
The third stage started with Miocic trying to build on the good moment from the previous stage. With combinations of punches and kicks, Stipe put pressure on Cormier, who walked backwards and demonstrated that he felt the blows. DC threw blows into the void and was no longer able to impose itself in the confrontation. The champion then started to press DC against the bars, while his opponent tried to protect himself as best he could. Cormier managed to free himself and the duel was fought again in the center of the Octagon. Miocic went up again and took his opponent back to the fence. Even without many actions, Stipe still had an advantage in the duel. In the final minute, the former champion managed to pull away and tried to recover the loss, but there was no more time.
In the penultimate round, Daniel looked better physically, compared to the previous round. The former champion unleashed combinations of punches and kicks, but the champion always responded with danger. Miocic once again bet on grappling and put pressure on his rival against the bars. DC managed to free himself, but was attacked again by a sequence of jabs applied by the champion. The fight became even again, with the combatants throwing punches and looking for the knockout again. Stipe threw a cross and was responded to by his opponent. The champion swayed, but continued walking forward. Stipe took the challenger back to the fence and tried to drain the challenger's energy. DC managed to get away again, connected with a good jab, but the round ended.
The last round began with the athletes exchanging punches in the center of the octagon. Apparently more tired, DC didn't give up, but ended up being taken to the bars. Cormier showed a lot of signs of tiredness and the champion took advantage and put pressure on his opponent in the clinch. Daniel managed to reverse the position and connected a good sequence of punches to Miocic's face. The champion started to try for a takedown, but Daniel defended himself well. Stipe continued with the strategy of sapping the former champion's breath, but Cormier showed a lot of courage. In the final seconds, the athletes remained clinging to the railing until the timer reached zero.
UFC 252 results
MAIN CARD
Heavyweight: Stipe Miocic derrotou Daniel Cormier in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) – Fight for the belt
Bantamweight: Marlon Vera defeated Sean O'Malley via TKO at 4:40 of R1
Heavyweight: Jairzinho Rozenstruik derrotou junior gypsy by technical knockout at 3m47s of R2
Feather weight: Daniel Pineda derrotou Herbert Burns by technical knockout at 4m37s of R2
Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili derrotou John Dodson in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Lightweight: Vinc Pichel derrotou Jim Miller in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Straw weight: Virna jandiroba finished Felice herrig with an armbar at 1m44s of R1
Feather weight: Danny Chavez derrotou TJ Brown in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Strawweight: Livinha Souza derrotou Ashley yoder in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Chris Daukas derrotou parker porter by technical knockout at 4m28s of R1
Feather weight: Kai Kamaka III derrotou Tony Kelley in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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