Stipe Miocic lands a shot against Daniel Cormier at UFC 252In the world of combat sports, a heavyweight title fight is usually seen as the ultimate in fighting entertainment. Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic, the headlining bout for UFC 252, was most definitely no exception. Toss in the fact that these two gentlemen are arguably the two best heavyweights in MMA history and have taken turns beating the tar out of each other in their two previous fights, and on paper we have what is truly a legendary MMA contest. The actual fight that played out did not disappoint.
While not as violent as the first two fights, there was an absolute ton of high-powered offense in this fight and there was no doubt as to the desire of each man to win the fight. UFC 252 was a terrific card, both on paper and in actuality, and there were several former wrestlers in action. Let's take a look at what we learned about each one.
Stipe Miocic
What we learned: The proud Ohio native is the best heavyweight MMA fighter of all time. You can swap the word "best" with any number of superlatives, perhaps preferring to go with toughest, most skilled, most formidable, or hardest to beat, but the reality is, Miocic sits atop the list of MMA's all-time great heavyweights.
Lean and mean, athletic, ideally sized for the division, and armed with terrific wrestling and fundamentally basic but very effective boxing, the undisputed champ defeated Daniel Cormier by being a catch 22 for DC. How do you defeat a guy that has the length, height, and long range weapons (jab, straight right, front kick) to beat you up from afar, while also having miserable clinch skills, a cringe-inducing body attack, and tireless takedown defense in close quarters? The answer is, as Cormier has learned, you don't. Unless of course you land the one-hitter-quitter, and Miocic has too good a beard and too effective a defensive game to suffer that fate twice from the same guy. And this was the story of tonight's fight. Miocic was bigger and better in enough areas to secure the win against a very good version of DC.
At this point in MMA's development, Stipe Miocic represents perhaps the ideal MMA archetype, great at nothing but very good at everything. This is likely a product of his background. A successful boxer at a high level but not the highest levels. And look at the highlights of his wrestling resume. Runner-up in Ohio's toughest high school state championship, seventh at NHSCA Senior Nationals, and national qualifier in Division I.
The champ has now defended the UFC heavyweight title twice as many times as the previous most successful titlists, and he's defeated some of the sport's all-time greats to do it. All things considered, he is the greatest heavyweight ever.
Daniel Cormier
What we learned: Daniel Cormier is still very much a championship-level fighter and should take some time to ponder before definitively committing to retirement. The man has been blessed with incredible longevity, is one of the more well-compensated fighters in the UFC, and the package he came in with Saturday was formidable, but missing a few typical DC calling cards that could have won him the fight.
Cormier entered the rubber match ready for battle. He was agile, he was hostile, and he came in with a physique that more closely resembled the bruiser that was winning national freestyle titles in the mid-2000's than the more chubby version we've seen in recent fights, especially at heavyweight. Those familiar with the two-time Olympian's recurring weight issues will know why this is an important detail.
While Cormier fought extremely well, and he unleashed some new attacks, the wrestling prowess briefly shown at the beginning of the fight, was noticeably absent for the remainder of it. This was a strategic mistake. A DC committed to establishing his wrestling threat is incredibly tough to beat. Not only does it open up more striking opportunities, his takedowns are often powerful and damaging in their own right. He does not wrestle to score points, he wrestles to hurt opponents.
Also of note was the signature DC right hand that he uses to whack opponents with in close quarters. This attack was employed heavily, and found its mark most of the time, however, without the accompanying single collar tie from the opposite hand, there just wasn't enough sting on it. These attacks are not always necessary to be deployed together, but Saturday they were.
Daniel Cormier is now somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 years spent as a world-class combat athlete of the highest caliber, and somehow, he isn't spent. At least not in the physical sense. His resume is beyond extensive. Two-time Olympian, world bronze medalist, Ivan Yarygin champ, Pan American Games champ, six-time U.S. freestyle national champ, NCAA Division I finalist, two-time NJCAA national champ, bronze medalist at Cadet Worlds, Strikeforce Grand Prix champ, UFC light heavyweight champ, and UFC heavyweight champ. I could go on, but you get the picture.
Jim Miller
What we learned: Veteran lightweight Miller is still dangerous, but came up just short, a theme that unfortunately may define his career when all is said and done. The former New Jersey high school state placewinner almost finished his foe with submission attacks a number of times Saturday, but was ultimately outgunned in size, strength, and relative youth. Regardless, the man who left behind a Division I wrestling career to pursue fighting will continue to win some and lose some should he continue to fight in the UFC.
John Dodson
What we learned: Former New Mexico high school state champ Dodson has let his inclination towards passivity and hesitation become too prevalent in his performances. The man who twice challenged for a UFC title in the 125-pound class, also one of the freakiest and most explosive athletes on the roster, should consider moving back down to 125 pounds. For whatever reason, despite having real KO power and being almost impossible to hold or take down, he continues to underperform and put in head-scratching performances.
Herbert Burns
What we learned: Though highly skilled and a very well-rounded fighter, Burns took a surprising loss from a more experienced fighter. Despite this fact, the Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt who also won a freestyle national title in Singapore while wrestling under U.S. Olympian Heath Sims, still has loads of potential. Look for the UFC newbie to rebound with authority.
Kai Kamaka III
What we learned: One of the more exciting aspects of UFC 252 was the debut of Hawaii's Kamaka. The 2013 Hawaii high school state champion wrestler who comes from a family with deep roots in both wrestling and MMA, Kamaka is looking like the next Hawaiian phenom after B.J. Penn and Max Holloway. Primarily a boxer and a wrestler with tight, tight, tight technique and a level of comfort rarely seen from a youngster, keep an eye out for this kid to climb high and fast.
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