It was anything but easy in the main event of UFC 241, but thanks to one of the great adjustments in UFC championship fight history.
Both big men threw leg kicks early as they felt out range and strategy. Cormier landed the initial big punches before shooting for a takedown. When Miocic resisted initially, Cormier went for a high crotch and easily lifted his foe onto his shoulder before slamming him down and going to work.
While Cormier didn't score the quick knockout like their first meeting, he did appear to set the tone for another dominant performance with the statement takedown in the opening frame.Fatigue seemed as tough an obstacle for Cormier as Miocic's punches.And for three rounds, it seemed as though almost every punch Miocic landed was answered by one or two harder shots from Cormier.
As Cormier's body language began to show signs of that fatigue, it also led Miocic to find a new weapon in the first of the championship rounds, digging a left hook to the body of Cormier repeatedly. Cormier returned with overhand rights, but Miocic had painted a mental bullseye over Cormier's liver. Miocic landed to the body again before staggering Cormier with a flurry of punches to the head.Miocic poured on strikes to the defenseless champ. As Cormier went back against the cage.
As Cormier slumped against the cage, taking punch after punch, referee Herb Dean jumped in to waive the fight off. Miocic signaled to his waist before dancing a jig in the center of the cage. Cormier was left sitting against the cage, eyes glazed.
As Cormier's body language began to show signs of that fatigue, it also led Miocic to find a new weapon in the first of the championship rounds, digging a left hook to the body of Cormier repeatedly. Cormier returned with overhand rights, but Miocic had painted a mental bullseye over Cormier's liver. Miocic landed to the body again before staggering Cormier with a flurry of punches to the head. As Cormier went back against the cage, Miocic poured on strikes to the defenseless champ.
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