MMA Preview – Daniel Cormier vs Stipe Miocic 2 at UFC 241
THE FACTS
When is UFC 241? Sunday 18th July, 2019 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 241? Honda Center, Anaheim, California
What channel is UFC 241 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 241? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ which can you sign up to here!
Are tickets still available for UFC Fight Night 241? https://www.ufc.com/tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
Miocic has finally been granted his wish - a rematch against Daniel Cormier after he lost his crown over a year ago at UFC 226. Cormier caught him clean to send him to sleep and become a simultaneous two-division champion but as the lucrative ship has sailed for Brock Lesnar, ‘DC’ has settled for this rematch.
After knocking out Miocic, Cormier made one title defence against Derrick Lewis which was hardly a contest. As expected, Cormier man-handled ‘The Black Beast’ and eventually submitted him. Flirting with retirement, he was holding out for the big money fight but now has a much tougher assignment against the ravenous former champion.
Miocic has been stewing on this fight for a year and is still bitter. He believes he was caught with a lucky punch and has demanded a rematch ever since. Miocic is fortunate that Lesnar or Jon Jones have not put their name in the hat as there is little to gain for Cormier but the champion has stepped up to cement his legacy.
THE PREDICTION
Miocic lost emphatically last time out but he was winning the round before getting clapped. It was slow-paced as Miocic stifled the grappling attempts of the decorated wrestler but underestimated Cormier’s power, who began to land combinations and leg kicks before landing a perfectly prepared right hand out of the clinch.
Cormier’s wrestling is at an elite level but Miocic had the power and skill to nullify these skills. On paper, Miocic should dominate the stand-up battle as a former Golden Gloves champion with a significant height and reach advantage but he just did not utilise that reach and walked into Cormier’s range.
Cormier does not have the striking technique of Miocic but he is devastating in the pocket so Miocic needs to maintain the distance. After thinking about their fight for a year, he will not only have prepared for this but will also be as motivated as he has ever been in his career.
Cormier has a granite chin and illusive head movement but can be hit and if Miocic executes his game plan, he has the power to find a knockout of his own.
Winner: Miocic via KO/TKO
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric.
