The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Trilogy fight means ‘everything’ to Miocic
Stipe Miocic has never been a part of a trilogy, and now that he’s about to complete one, here’s how he sums it up:
“I’m just glad it will finally be over,” said the UFC heavyweight champion by phone from Las Vegas.
Super Fight III is almost here. On Aug. 15, Miocic puts his belt and title of “Baddest Man on the Planet” against No. 1 contender Daniel Cormier in the main event at UFC 252 in Las Vegas.
Winner takes all, in more ways than one. The winner is the UFC heavyweight champ, but many believe — once and for all — the winner also earns the title of UFC heavyweight GOAT, as in the greatest of all time.
Miocic is not downplaying the importance of this bout. He told The News-Herald it means “everything.”
Make no mistake, Miocic’s vision is singular on nothing but a win but there’s no mistaking the big picture involved with the bout.
Cormier is a rare two-division former champ (he’s been the heavyweight and light heavyweight champion), and Miocic is the only UFC heavyweight to defend the belt three consecutive times.
The trek to UFC 252 has been an up-and-down road for Miocic. The past three years have taken a toll on the Eastlake North graduate — physically and mentally.
“You never know what can happen,” he said. “You work so hard to be the
champ. I lost it all, but I got it back. I always knew I could get it back.”
First, Miocic had to deal with losing the championship belt in a stunning firstround knockout loss at the hands of Cormier in July 2018. The setback ended Miocic’s heavyweight record of three straight title defenses.
Then, he had to wait more than a year to finally get a rematch, which caused frustration for Miocic and his camp. When he finally get the rematch, Miocic answered in dramatic fashion with an epic fourth-round performance that ended with a KO of Cormier. Miocic was again back on the
top of the UFC heavyweight division.
There’s also been physical setbacks. In their first fight, Cormier accidentally poked Miocic in the eye. It happened again in the second fight, and the subsequent injury forced Miocic to undergo surgery on his retina. He’s recovered, but Miocic (19-3) must now wear glasses.
Of course, there’s been frustration with both dealing with the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.
“There’s frustration in anything you do,” he said.
On the other side, Cormier (22-1) wants redemption. Win or lose, it’s the 41-yearold’s
last fight. Cormier, a commentator for UFC, said he will retire after the fight and is determined to go out as champion.
“It’s all on the line here,” Cormier wrote in an ESPN. com essay. “If Stipe wins, he’s the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time. If I win, I’m the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time. These kinds of fights don’t happen very often. It’s a massive deal. It’s exactly where I want to be.”
Ditto for Miocic, as Aug. 15 is shaping up as one of the biggest fights in the history of the UFC.
It’s all on the line. Everything.