UFC 226 ‘Miocic vs. Cormier’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Jamie Moyle vs. Emily Whitmire

Round 1

Whitmire takes the center of the cage and throws long jabs at Moyle, over whom she holds a 4-inch height advantage. Moyle hops around the outside, occasionally stepping inside to throw combinations, but neither strawweight is landing many clean strikes here in the early going. Whitmire lands a low kick, then a left cross on the end of a combination. Moyle tries to rush inside and flurry, only to be picked off by Whitmire's counter. Halfway through the round, Whitmire continues to jab her way forward, while Moyle is still having difficulty navigating the reach of "Spitfire." The action remains sparse down the stretch, with both fighters landing low kicks in the final minute.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Whitmire
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Whitmire
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Whitmire

Round 2

The strawweights take up their familiar positions, with Whitmire in the center of the cage and Moyle jumping around the outside. Whitmire fends off a few flurries from Moyle, lands a leg kick and then goes up top with a left high kick that lands through Moyle's raised glove. Moyle is landing some hard kicks to the left leg of Whitmire, too, and now she changes levels to try a single-leg takedown. Whitmire stuffs the shot, bounces a combination off Moyle's arm and lands another low kick. Moyle gets in deep on a shot, pushes Whitmire to the fence, then gets shoved away as Whitmire lands a knee to the gut. Whitmire tries a double of her own and winds up jammed against the fence. "Spitfire" shakes the underhooks and circles away, then connects with a clean right hand when Moyle wades into the pocket again. With 70 seconds left, Whitmire clinches up and shoves Moyle against a cage post. Moyle reverses the position and latches on to a high single, but again Whitmire is able to shut it down. Moyle presses forward in the final 30 seconds, touching Whitmire with a pair of body shots. Whitmire answers with an overhand right as things get a little tighter in the closing moments.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Moyle
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Moyle
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moyle

Round 3

Whitmire puts a kick on the midsection of Moyle, then scores an early takedown in the center of the cage. Moyle pushes her away, then tries to upkick and prevent Whitmire from taking top position, but "Spitfire" finds her way down and into Moyle's half guard. Moyle traps Whitmire's right arm behind her back, so both women begin using their free left arms to land punches. Whitmire reclaims the arm, flattens out Moyle and leans across to elbow her in the ribs. The pace slows in the middle section of the round, with Moyle trying to mount offense from her back and Whitmire using heavy top control just to keep her grounded. Moyle shifts and puts Whitmire in full guard, so Whitmire stands and steps over, trying to advance to side control. Moyle catches Whitmire with buttefly hooks, eventually forcing her to stand, and the last action of the fight is a Moyle upkick that opens a gash on the corner of Whitmire's left eye.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Whitmire (29-28 Whitmire)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Whitmire (29-27 Whitmire)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Whitmire (29-28 Whitmire)

The Official Result

Emily Whitmire def. Jamie Moyle via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Gilbert Burns vs. Dan Hooker

Round 1

Burns pushes Hooker away with a spinning kick to the body, then steps inside and zaps the Kiwi with a hard, compact right hook. Hooker counters Burns' next low kick with a jab to the body, then a low kick of his own. Hooker puts a precision jab on Burns' jaw, putting the Brazilian on his seat in the center of the cage. Burns shoots for a takedown and has to defend a choke attempt from the lanky hooker, who quickly releases and jumps back to his feet. Hooker touches Burns with a high, step-in knee. Burns is getting a little wild with his striking now, and Hooker makes him pay with a blistering left hook counter as he stands in the pocket. Burns hits the floor, and referee Jason Herzog doesn't need to see much more before he steps in to stop the fight.

The Official Result

Dan Hooker def. Gilbert Burns via KO (Punch) R1 2:28

Max Griffin vs. Curtis Millender

Round 1

Millender catches Griffin stepping inside and backs him off with a quick knee up the center. The big Californian lands a few heavy leg kicks, including one about 90 seconds in that puts Griffin on his knees momentarily. Two minutes in, Griffin gets inside and hits a quick takedown, putting Millender flat on his back at the base of the fence. Griffin keeps things tight as he works from half guard, chest-to-chest with Millender as he works to advance. Millender isn't doing much to escape, mostly wrapping up Griffin's arms to prevent ground-and-pound. Griffin postures up to land a couple punches, now an elbow, before Millender hugs him again. Griffin goes knee-on-belly with 20 seconds left and socks Millender with a few final punches before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Griffin
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Griffin

Round 2

Millender swings some long punches in Griffin's direction at the start of round two, trying to keep the shorter man on the outside and away from his legs. Griffin gets backed up to the fence and has to scurry away as Millender comes flying at him with a sailing knee. Griffin rocks the head of Millender with an overhand right, tries to shoot inside and gets a knee to the body from Millender. Millender catches Griffin leaning inside to punch and lands a right high kick to the face. Griffin continues to come forward as they hit the midway point of the round, shoots for a takedown and has to bail as Millender threatens to catch him in a headlock. Millender slowly walks down Griffin from the center of the cage. Griffin tries to shoot, gets stuffed and kneed in the gut, then socked with a short punch before he can backpedal away. Millender finishes the round with a takedown and a few hammerfists in the final 20 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Millender
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Millender
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Millender

Round 3

Millender continues to dictate the pace and direction of the bout as he stakes out the center of the cage early in the final frame. Griffin tries to circle and angle his way inside, but Millender's rangy punches and kicks put him in the danger zone with each attempt. Two minutes in, Griffin gets hold of Millender and tries a takedown at the fence. Millender shows better defense this time, widening his base against the fence and even hitting Griffin with a knee as he fights off the shot. The welterweights separate with just about two minutes remaining. Millender touches Griffin with a jab, corners him near the fence and feeds him a sizzling right hand. Griffin tries to escape, but Millender walks him down and knees him hard, forcing Griffin to bail out again as the fight draws to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Millender (29-28 Millender)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Millender (29-28 Millender)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Millender (29-28 Millender)

The Official Result

Curtis Millender def. Max Griffin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Drakkar Klose vs. Lando Vannata

Round 1

Klose takes less than 15 seconds to get inside and jam Vannata against the fence, but "Groovy Lando" turns the tables with a spinning elbow and a quick takedown of his own. The lightweights jump back to their feet, Klose ducks under a punch and shoots on Vannata's hips. Vannata stays standing as he leans against the fence, Klose now holding him in a rear waistlock. Vannata escapes the position but can't land the punches he throws at Klose on his way out. Klose covers up as Vannata goes body-head with a combo, then back up top with a straight left. Klose scores with a hard kick to the body, then clips Vannata with an uppercut as they hit the midway point of the round. Klose throws a pair of heavy leg kicks, both checked by Vannata, who eats a right hand soon after. Vannata appears to partially land a spinning elbow, but he's wrapped up by Klose as he turns, then shoved against the wall. Vannata reverses to the outside, but Klose is still hunting for a trip or takedown as he's held on the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Klose
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Klose
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Klose

Round 2

Vannata puts a spinning kick on the face of Klose, who backs up a few steps and then resumes his forward pressure. Klose wants Vannata back in the center of the cage, but once the Jackson-Wink fighter meets him there, Klose doesn't do much. Vannata scores a few leg kicks, sends a high kick bouncing off Klose's arms. The lightweights clinch up, Klose on the outside, now releasing briefly to slam Vannata with a level elbow; the strike opens up a cut on the outside corner of Vannata's right eye. Vannata gets taken down but climbs back to his feet within seconds. Klose catches Vannata walking inside and sweeps him out of the pocket with a heavy right hand. Vannata is having more difficulty stringing together strikes now, and now Klose shuts down a takedown attempt, too. Klose is punishing Vannata's legs with kicks, eats a shot late in the round and grins at "Groovy Lando" as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Klose
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Klose
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Klose

Round 3

Vannata comes out aggressive at the start of the final round, stepping inside with a kick and then whipping around to partially catch Klose with a spinning backfist. The lightweights stand still in front of one another, each waiting for the other to throw. Klose eventually presses forward and shoves Vannata against the fence, looking to hit a trip. Vannata defends long enough for referee Mark Smith to issue a few commands for Klose to get busy. After three or four warnings, Smith separates the fighters with 90 seconds left in the bout. Vannata checks a leg kick, snatches a single-leg and, in a flash, takes down Klose and jumps on his back. Klose doesn't allow Vannata to establish his hooks, so Vannata abandons the position and stands with under a minute remaining. Klose scores a double-leg of his own in the final 20 seconds, though Vannata is able to get up and finish the fight on his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Klose (30-27 Klose)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Klose (30-27 Klose)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Klose (30-27 Klose)

The Official Result

Drakkar Klose def. Lando Vannata via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Raphael Assuncao vs. Rob Font

Round 1

Assuncao backs up Font with a big swing-and-a-miss right hand, then the bantamweights clash as they both throw leg kicks. Assuncao puts a chopping kick on the outside of Font's lead leg, and the Massachusetts native gives him one in return. Assuncao gets a mitt up to block Font's high kick, but Font sticks him with a nice jab a few seconds later, followed by a body punch. Neither man's striking is particularly accurate through the middle of the round. As they near the 60-second mark, however, Assuncao catches Font rushing inside and floors him with a one-two. Font recovers quickly and jumps back to his feet before the Brazilian can capitalize on the knockdown. Backing up Assuncao to the wall, Font tries a flying knee but can't find the mark. Just before the horn, Font comes away from an exchange holding his face, apparently complaining of an eye poke.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Assuncao

Round 2

Assuncao scores a takedown in the center of the cage within 10 seconds. Forty seconds into the round, the Brazilian is in side control. Font reclaims half guard, pivots underneath and puts Assuncao in full guard. Assuncao postures up and rocks Font's head with a heavy elbow before passing to the side once again. Working from Font's left side, Assuncao leans across the American's body to elbow his ribs. Assuncao traps Font's left arm with a knee and scores with some clean ground-and-pound before Font gets the arm back. Halfway through the round, Font creates enough space to scramble back to his feet. Font double-pumps his jab in the face of Assuncao, who doesn't seem to be in much of a rush to engage in a striking battle after dominating the first half of the round on the mat. Assuncao touches Font with a crossing right, then catches him with a follow-up left as Font angles out of the pocket. Font is still pressing forward when the round ends, but he's unable to make up much ground, if any, in the second half of the frame.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Assuncao
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Assuncao

Round 3

Font moves forward at the start of the final round, but it's Assuncao doing the better work with counterpunches and low kicks. One kick even chops the right leg out from under Font. Seconds later, Font gets another accidental poke to his right eye. Referee Marc Goddard pauses the fight, calls for the doctor, and soon Font is cleared to continue. With just under half a round remaining, Assuncao times a level-change and plows Font to the floor at the foot of the fence. Assuncao is in deep half guard, almost a half-mount, looking to frame up an arm-triangle choke. Font pivots underneath and kicks off the fence to try an armbar, but Assuncao is able to escape with ease. Assuncao passes to side control again, leans across and tries to isolate Font's right arm. At the 10-second clapper, Assuncao postures up and closes out the fight with a bit of ground-and-pound.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Assuncao (30-27 Assuncao)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Assuncao (30-27 Assuncao)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Assuncao (30-27 Assuncao)

The Official Result

Raphael Assuncao def. Rob Font via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Paulo Henrique Costa vs. Uriah Hall

Round 1

Costa backs up Hall to the fence with a few body kicks, but Hall makes his way back to the center by flashing some quick jabs in the face of the Brazilian. The jab of Hall continues to land, bloodying Costa's mouth less than two minutes into the fight. Costa lands a glancing overhand right, but Hall seems unfazed as he circles away. Costa puts a kick in Hall's breadbasket, but a few seconds later, a front kick aimed at the same spot lands to Hall's cup. Hall recovers quickly and comes back to stick Costa with another bundle of hard jabs. Costa is trying to jab back, but "Primetime" is beating him to the punch every time. Hall gets backed up to the wall and looks to be hurt by a body punch. Costa tries to capitalize with a pair of clinch knees, now another thumping body punch, but Hall survives and circles away. Inside the final minute of the round, Hall appears to suffer an accidental eye poke, then gets a Costa uppercut grazing off his cup. Hall takes a little longer to recover this time, and referee Smith issues a final warning to Costa but does not deduct a point.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Costa
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Costa
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Costa

Round 2

Costa snaps off a hard jab but takes one in return from Hall, who is stuck in reverse in the opening moments of round two. "Borrachinha" is bringing lots of pressure now, trying to catch Hall with his back against the wall. Hall comes out to the center and explodes into a double-leg, plowing Costa to the canvas. Hall doesn't keep Costa on the floor for long, and soon the middleweights are back to circling and exchanging jabs. Costa land a lead uppercut, but as he tries to follow up, a left hand from Hall catches him on the temple and drops him to a knee. Costa jumps back up immediately, shaking his head to deny the knockdown. Hall gets backed up to the wall yet again, and now Costa is ripping into him with vicious hooks and uppercuts. Hall is on rubber legs, eating jabs and trying to throw punches in return, with mixed success. Costa's final sequence starts with a left hook and ends with an uppercut that puts Hall face-first on the floor, not unconscious but clearly not wanting any more of the fight.

The Official Result

Paulo Henrique Costa def. Uriah Hall via TKO (Punches) R2 2:38

Khalil Rountree vs. Gokhan Saki

Round 1

The southpaw Rountree circles to his right along the outside, while righty Saki inches outward from the center. Saki walks into a right hook from Rountree, dodges the harder left hand behind it. Ninety seconds in, Saki switches to southpaw, throws a lazy low kick and gets obliterated with a thunderous left straight. Saki is still conscious as he drops to his back, but he's unable to offer any defense as Rountree tees off with hammerfists, forcing referee Jason Herzog to stop the fight. Saki looks dazed after the finish and begins to argue the stoppage, but the kickboxer struggles to keep his balance after climbing to his feet.

The Official Result

Khalil Rountree def. Gokhan Saki via TKO (Punches) R1 1:36

Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis

Round 1

Chiesa closes the distance in a hurry, catches Pettis' first kick and plants "Showtime" on his back at the foot of the fence. Pettis loops his right arm around Chiesa's head to try and control the top man's posture, but Chiesa pulls him off the wall and flattens him out. Chiesa briefly threatens to catch an arm-triangle choke, but Pettis escapes out the backdoor and suddenly sweeps to top position. Pettis tries to jump on the back of Chiesa as they stand, but he can't establish the position and the lightweights reset in the center with just over three minutes on the clock. Chiesa initiates a clinch, gets spun against the wall by Pettis, then spins the Roufusport product around and knees him in the gut. Chiesa hits a trip takedown halfway through the round, fights off a brief armbar attempt and postures up in Pettis' guard as they fight near the wall. Pettis elevates Chiesa until he's standing, fires a kick at the Sikjitsu fighter's head and then jumps to his feet. With one minute left, it's Pettis stalking Chiesa around the outside, landing heavy low kicks but missing as he winds up for a spinning attack. Chiesa gets his head snapped back with a stiff jab, has a kick caught and tries to donkey-kick his way out of the bad situation, only to fall to the ground. Pettis tags him with a few hard shots, and after Chiesa stands up, Pettis throws one last punch at the horn while stepping on Chiesa's foot, causing Chiesa to fall just as time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Chiesa
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Chiesa
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pettis

Round 2

Pettis blasts Chiesa with a body kick, backing him up to the fence, where "Showtime" sends his opponent reeling with a lightning quick right straight. Chiesa shoots and Pettis jumps guard with a guillotine, switches to a triangle, then converts it to a triangle armbar. The choke is on tight, the arm fully extended, and Chiesa has no choice but to tap out.

The Official Result

Anthony Pettis def. Michael Chiesa via Submission (Triangle Armbar) R2 0:52

Paul Felder vs. Mike Perry

Round 1

Felder strikes first with an outside low kick, checked by Perry, who lowers his head as he steps inside and clashes heads with the "Irish Dragon." Both men come away from the collision with cuts on their hairlines, though Felder seems to have gotten the worse of it. The 170-pounders clinch on the fence, where Perry zaps Felder with an elbow and puts a few hard punches on his body. Moving back to the center of the cage, Felder connects over the top with a hard right hand. Perry lands another standing elbow, then has to get his mitts up to deflect a Felder spinning backfist. Felder catches Perry lowering his head to step inside and drills him with a knee that leaves Perry checking his mouthguard. Perry continues to land, too, though he's increasingly outside of punching range as Felder keeps him on the end of his kicks and jabs. Perry closes the gap and shoves Felder against the fence with 45 seconds on the clock; 10 seconds later, "Platinum" releases and hits Felder with another hard elbow on the break. Perry lands a jab to the body but gets caught with a whipping backfist as Felder offers up his last spinning strike of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Felder
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Perry
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Felder

Round 2

Felder comes out for round two with a few lumps around his right eye, but he's still catching the incoming Perry with some speedy kicks. Perry gets inside, though, and once he does, he lifts Felder off the ground, turns him toward the center of the cage and slams him to the floor. Felder scoots over to the fence, posts and climbs back to his feet, where Perry roughs him up with a few clinch elbows before they separate. The pace slows a bit in the middle of the round, with Felder trying unsuccessfully to jab his way forward and Perry taking a bit of a breather while backpedaling. With 80 seconds left, Perry explodes forward and stings Felder with a lunging left hook. The punch immediately opens a gushing cut, just below a large hematoma, but the cageside doctor tells referee Marc Goddard that Felder can continue. Perry ragdolls Felder to the ground with a bodylock takedown. Felder -- whose face is absolutely coated with blood -- somehow makes his way back to his feet before the end of the round, and even manages to slice Perry open on the nose with a standing elbow.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Perry
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Perry
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Perry

Round 3

After a slow-paced first minute, an oncoming Perry backs up Felder with another lunging left hook. Felder, who indicated to coach Duke Roufus between rounds that his right arm is broken, instead tries to fend off Perry with low kicks, now a spinning kick to the body. Perry snaps back the head of Felder with a straight right, then lands a high kick that draws a nod from the "Irish Dragon." Felder's face is a mess, lumps dotting his brow and blood staining his nose, dripping all over his chest. Perry comes inside to clinch with 90 seconds left, holds Felder on the fence and attacks the Pennsylvanian's legs with hard knee strikes. Felder breaks loose with 30 seconds left, looking to mount some last-ditch offense, even throwing his injured right hand, but he's unable to make anything happen before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Felder (29-28 Felder)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Perry (30-27 Perry)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Perry (29-28 Perry)

The Official Result

Mike Perry def. Paul Felder via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Derrick Lewis vs. Francis Ngannou

Round 1

Ngannou creeps forward in the southpaw stance, testing the range with an outstretched hand, offering a few fakes. Neither heavyweight offers much of anything in the opening minute. Lewis, circling off his back foot, pauses and steps forward to counter an Ngannou low kick with a right hand. Ngannou switches to orthodox after Lewis throws a switch kick to the body. Lewis is being backed up to the fence, creating some space with kicks, then getting backed up again. Despite his constant forward pressure, Ngannou has done virtually nothing in terms of significant offense. Lewis tries a high single, gets shoved away by the "Predator," and the big men continue their stroll around the cage until the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 2

The boo birds are out early in round two, following another 60 seconds of incactivity from the heavyweights. Ninety seconds in, Lewis comes over the top with a glancing right hand, then tries to get hold of Ngannou's legs, only to be shoved away by the hulking Frenchman. Ngannou pressures Lewis backward to the fence until Lewis backs him up with a high switch kick. Ngannou switches between stances as he jumps around in front of the "Black Beast." A few leg kicks land for Lewis as the tepid pace continues. With 1:10 on the clock, referee Herb Dean finally intervenes, cautioning the fighters to engage or risk a point deduction. Lewis gets a bit busier after the restart, though not by much, and the final minute ticks away without incident.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 3

It's more of the same as the final round begins, with another minute of nothing between the big men. Ngannou fires a quick left high kick from the southpaw stance, but Lewis gets a glove up to block it. Referee Dean calls for action again; Lewis grabs for a clinch or takedown and is shoved away. With two minutes left, Lewis counters a kick from Ngannou with a left hand that puts the "Predator" in reverse. Lewis ducks as he steps forward and puts a punch on Ngannou's body. Ngannou throws a high kick and winds up spinning around as Lewis ducks underneath. Down to the final 40 seconds, Lewis lands a body kick and slips his head off center to avoid Ngannou's left hand. Ngannou catches a kick and tries to take down Lewis in the final 10 seconds. With Lewis leaning forward, balancing on his hands, Ngannou lands a cheap shot after the horn, a fittingly ugly end to one of the worst fights you'll see this year.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lewis (30-28 Lewis)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis (30-27 Lewis)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lewis (30-29 Lewis)

The Official Result

Derrick Lewis def. Francis Ngannou via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier

Round 1

English referee Marc Goddard will oversee tonight's heavyweight title bout, with judges Dave Hagen, Chris Lee and Glenn Trowbridge scoring at cageside. Miocic takes the center of the cage and tries to close the distance on Cormier, who tries to grab the champion with a collar tie and feed him uppecuts, without success. After Miocic touches the 205-pound ace with an uppercut, Cormier swings back with a right hand of his own. Miocic clinches and briefly puts Cormier on his knees, then holds "DC" on the wall when they stand up. Miocic puts a shoulder on Cormier's jaw as they fight on the fence; Cormier tries to loop a few left hands around Cormier's head and receives a warning from Goddard to mind the back of the head. Miocic releases and eats a jab from Cormier, only to touch the challenger with a pair of punches seconds later. Cormier gets another warning from Goddard, this time for leaving his outstretched hands opened. Cormier pushes Miocic against the fence, can't do much with the position, and now they circle back to the center. Cormier eats an elbow, now a three-piece combination, but he marches forward and slams Miocic with a heavy one-two that instantly reddens the face of the champ. Cormier throws a slapping right hand and pokes Miocic in the eye; thankfully, the champ is able to recover quickly, and Goddard issues a final warning to Cormier for the infraction without deducting a point. The heavyweights get into a firefight in the center of the cage, where "DC" lands the one-two again. After a brief clinch in the middle, Cormier releases and lays waste to Miocic with a right hand that the Ohioan never sees coming. Miocic drops to his back and is knocked senseless by Cormier's follow-up punches, and referee Goddard rushes in to stop the fight. Miocic argues the stoppage as soon as he wakes up, but he'll think differently once he sees the replay. Daniel Cormier has won the UFC heavyweight title, joining Conor McGregor as the only men to hold two UFC belts at the same time.

The Official Result

Daniel Cormier def. Stipe Miocic via KO (Punches) R1 4:33