Heading into the fourth round on Saturday night, Daniel Cormier seemed to be ten minutes away from a successful title defense against Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 241. Things turned sour quickly for the Lafayette native in Anaheim, California with Stipe landing a crucial body blow that resulted in him regaining the UFC Heavyweight Title.
Much like in the previous meeting, Cormier fired out the gates strong and was able to secure a monstrous takedown in the first round and significant strikes to easily take the first round. Things started to slow down in the second round, but DC took control with several strikes to Miocic’s head as the round came to an end.
It was more of the same in round three, but it was decidedly different with Miocic starting to establish dominance with body blows.
Then came the fourth round and Stipe finally found his opening with a body blow setting up a flurry of shots that caused referee Herb Dean to wave off the fight and give Miocic the TKO victory.
Following the bout, Miocic discussed the decision to drop his punches to the body.
“I knew I was hurting him,” Miocic said. “Just keep working, keep working. He was going to leave something open.”
“Get out,” Miocic said of his thoughts during the fight-ending flurry. “I’m done. I’m tired. I want to go home.”
Much of the conversation heading into the fight was about the 40-year-old fighter’s future and he left it open to interpretation after his bout.
“You don’t make decisions based on emotions, but this is a tough pill to swallow,” Cormier said. “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 on what we’re going to do.”
UFC 241 Results
Main Card
Stipe Miocic def. Daniel Cormier (c) TKO (punches) 4 4:09
Nate Diaz def. Anthony Pettis Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Paulo Costa def. Yoel Romero Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sodiq Yusuff def. Gabriel Benítez KO (punches) 1 4:14
Derek Brunson def. Ian Heinisch Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card
Khama Worthy def. Devonte Smith TKO (punches) 1 4:15
Cory Sandhagen def. Raphael Assunção Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Drakkar Klose def. Christos Giagos Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Casey Kenney def. Manny Bermudez Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Early Preliminary Card
Hannah Cifers def. Jodie Esquibel Decision (unanimous) (30-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Kyung Ho Kang def. Brandon Davis Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Sabina Mazo def. Shana Dobson Decision (unanimous) (30-24, 30-25, 30-25)