UFC 252 free fight: Stipe Miocic takes out Daniel Cormier, reclaims heavyweight title

Stipe Miocic was eager to get his belt back.

After losing the UFC heavyweight title to Daniel Cormier at UFC 226, Miocic (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) held out until he got his wish and rematched Cormier in the UFC 241 main event in August 2019.

Cormier got the best of Miocic in the first fight by knocking him out in Round 1, but the second fight played out a lot differently. The pair exchanged leg kicks early, but Cormier was then able to land a big slam takedown, controlling Miocic for the rest of the round.

In Round 2, Miocic started to piece his combinations together well, but Cormier was firing back with shots of his own. Both men threw big shots in a round that played out entirely on the feet.

In Round 3, Miocic and Cormier continued to exchange in phone booth-style striking, with Miocic mixing things up by landing a brief takedown. Cormier continued to pressure, with Miocic sniping back on the counter.

Miocic made major adjustments by going to Cormier’s body in Round 4, which ultimately paid dividends. With Cormier starting to breathe heavy, Miocic repeatedly ripped into his body, then went up top for the final touches, dropping Cormier with a flurry against the fence.

Miocic reclaimed his title and will face off against Cormier (22-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in a rubber match in the UFC 252 headliner on Aug. 15, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Before he faces Cormier, relive Miocic’s championship winning performance in the video above.