Cormier makes UFC history
Former Oklahoma State wrestler Daniel Cormier knocked out Stipe Miocic in the first round to win the UFC heavyweight title on Saturday night at UFC 226. Cormier, who also owns the light heavyweight title, is the second fighter in UFC history to hold two b
LAS VEGAS — Daniel Cormier is the king of two UFC divisions.
Cormier added the UFC heavyweight championship to his light heavyweight title late Saturday night, stopping Stipe Miocic in dramatic fashion during the first round of their superfight at UFC 226.
Cormier (21-1, 1 no-contest) flattened the UFC’s long-reigning heavyweight champ with a right elbow out of a clinch. He finished Miocic (18-3) on the ground with 27 seconds left in the round by landing several shots to the defenseless champion’s head.
Cormier, the former Oklahoma State wrestler, became the second fighter in UFC history to hold two championship belts simultaneously. Conor McGregor was the UFC’s featherweight champ in 2016 when he took the lightweight title from Eddie Alvarez.
“I was a heavyweight for a long time, and I left the division,” Cormier said. “I never knew what I could become, but tonight I got the answer. I’m a two-division champion, baby!”
Cormier has never lost to anyone except Jon Jones, the star-crossed former light heavyweight champion who beat him twice. The second victory last summer was changed to a no-contest when Jones failed a doping test, and he remains out of the sport.
Cormier has reached its pinnacle with less than a year to go until reaching his self-imposed retirement age of 40.
“I’m 39 years old, and I’ve been second many times,” Cormier said. “But today, I have accomplished everything I ever wanted. From crying in this octagon almost a year ago, to leaving as the heavyweight champion.”
After beating Miocic, Cormier engaged in a bit of clearly planned theatrics with Brock Lesnar, the professional wrestler and former UFC heavyweight champion. Cormier called Lesnar into the cage, and Lesnar shoved Cormier in the chest while the fighters traded insults to hype a potential future bout.
“Push me now, (and) you’re going to sleep later,” Cormier yelled at Lesnar. “Your days are in the past. In the stone age.”
Lesnar, likely the biggest pay-per-view draw in UFC history, is widely expected to return to MMA later this year or early next year.