NIGHTMARE KO

Miocic loses heavyweight championship to Cormier after first round knockout

Stipe Miocic and his coaches look on as new UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier addresses the crowd after knocking out Miocic on July 7 in Las Vegas. For more coverage of this story, see

LAS VEGAS » It was a stunner in Sin City.

Stipe Miocic’s two-plus year reign as UFC heavyweight champion ended July 7 in the main event at UFC 226 at a sold-out T-Mobile Arena thanks to an upset victory by Daniel Cormier, who became the second ever dual-champion in UFC history. Cormier is now the heavyweight and light heavyweight champion.

Each fighter threw big shots in the first four minutes. Miocic appeared to be in good shape as he connected on several rights, and solid combinations. Then, Cormier connected with a short right that floored Miocic at 4 minutes, 33 seconds, and Cormier finished off the champion as he laid on the canvas.

Cormier bulked up from his normal fighting weight of 205 for the superfight. The 39-yearold checked in at 246 pounds — four more pounds than Miocic — and every pound was key in dethroning Miocic. The weight advantage helped offset the five inch height advantage he gave to his opponent. The height wasn’t the only advantage Miocic had, as the former champ had an 80-inch reach, compared to Cormier’s 72-inch reach — but Cormier brushed that disadvantage aside, too.

Following the win, Cormier told the crowd, “I never knew what I could become. Tonight I got the answer. I’m a two-division champion!”

But that was just the start of what would be an explosive post-fight segment.

Cormier then called out WWE champion Brock Lensar, who was in attendance and entered the ring. Lesnar then shouted out insults, including one about Miocic.

Said Lesnar to Cormier: “I’m coming for you (expletive).”

Pushing and shoving ensued, and during the fiasco Miocic and his coaches left the octagon.

Now Cormier can lay claim to the best ever as one of the greatest UFC fighters in history, regardless of division.

“I never knew what I could become. Tonight I got the answer. I’m a two-division champion!”

— Daniel Cormier

He improved to 21-1, with his only loss to Jon

Jones in 2015.

The loss was devastating for Miocic, who was hoping to extend his record for most consecutive title defenses to four. He broke the record at three in his last

bout, a five-round unanimous decision in January against Francis Ngannou. He entered the bout with Cormier on a six-match winning streak, including five by first-round knockout.

For now, though, Miocic will return home to Northeast Ohio without the belt for the first time in more than two years.

Stunning indeed.

TIM PHILLIS — THE NEWS-HERALD Online: For more photos from the UFC 226 event, visit MEDIA.NEWS-HERALD.COM

TIM PHILLIS — THE NEWS-HERALD Daniel Cormier, top, defeats Stipe Miocic by first-round knockout to win the UFC heavyweight championship on July 7, 2018, in Las Vegas.