Daniel Cormier Dethrones Stipe Miocic, Gets Into Physical Altercation with Brock Lesnar
Daniel Cormier is now a two-division UFC champion and it appears he’s got his next fight set up already.
On Saturday night at UFC 226, Cormier defeated the longest reigning heavyweigh champion in history with a first round knockout against Stipe Miocic before getting into a physical encounter with former heavyweight king Brock Lesnar immediately after the fight ended.
As far as Cormier’s victory goes, the 39-year old former two-time Olympian looked at his best as he returned to the heavyweight division for the first time in five years with a chance to become only the second ever simultaneous two-weight class world champion in UFC history (the other being Conor McGregor).
Cormier was steadfast in his game plan as he felt Miocic’s power early but kept coming back at the taller fighter with a straight jab that kept popping the Ohio native in the face. As a mouse began to form under Miocic’s eye it was clear that Cormier’s punches were coming with some pop behind them.
To his credit, Miocic was landing some hard shots but he just couldn’t find a home for his biggest punches as Cormier did a masterful job bobbing and weaving out of the way to avoid the knockout.
Finally with Miocic still pressing forward, Cormier stepped into a perfectly timed right hand that landed directly on the jaw and sent the now former champion crashing down to the canvas.
Cormier followed it up with a few more shots but the fight was already over as referee Marc Goddard stopped the contest and the second ever champ-champ was born.
DANIEL CORMIER IS THE NEW HW CHAMPION! #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/zXBkQm2IVQ
— UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2018
“I was a heavyweight for a long time and I left the division. I never knew what I could become. Tonight I got the answer,” Cormier said after his historic win.
“I’m a two-division champion, baby!”
Following his win, Cormier grabbed the microphone and turned his attention to former heavyweight champion and WWE superstar Brock Lesnar, who was seated cage side during the main event.
“There’s a guy that I’ve known for a long time. He’s a wrestler. He’s an All-American. He’s a former UFC champion. I never thought I would fight him, but Brock Lesnar, get your ass in here,” Cormier shouted.
Lesnar quickly jumped into the Octagon with a smile on his face but that faded away as he took a step towards Cormier and then shoved the new heavyweight champion before security and UFC president Dana White could jump in between them.
“Push me now, you go to sleep later,” Cormier yelled at Lesnar.
Lesnar then took the microphone where he responded to Cormier and all but guaranteed a showdown between the two of them later this year.
“Let me tell you something. I walked into this building and watched the heavyweight disasters from the beginning. Ngannou is a piece of s–t. Miocic is a piece of s–t. DC, I’m coming for you motherf–ker,” Lesnar said before leaving the Octagon.
Lesnar had been rumored to attend UFC 226 for weeks and obviously he made quite the appearance on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Lesnar remains under contract with the UFC, although he also reportedly still has a few months left on his current deal with WWE as well. Still judging by his appearance on Saturday night, Lesnar is ready to resume his fighting career with a fight against Cormier all but sealed for later this year.