Stipe Miocic is one fight away from being the greatest heavyweight champion in UFC history.
No champion has ever defended the top prize in the sport three times on the bounce. With his brutal knockout victory over former king Junior dos Santos in UFC 211’s main event, Miocic tied the record set by Tim Sylvia, Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez of two straight successful defences.
The first time Miocic and dos Santos met inside the Octagon, it ended up being a grueling 25-minute war that the Brazilian just edged via contentious decision.
The rematch didn’t make it out of the first round.
‘Cigano’ had some early success, ripping the champion’s shin with a vicious leg kick that caused him to limp. However, after that kick found its mark, the momentum shifted in favour of the champion.
A ferocious right hand did the damage against the cage, dropping JDS to mat, and a series of left hands to the downed warrior earned him the victory just 22 minutes into the fight. The knockout win marked Miocic’s fifth consecutive KO finish, and his fourth to have come in the opening round.
Stipe Miocic has finished his last 5 opponents:
TKO vs. Hunt 👊
TKO vs. Arlovski 👊
KO vs. Werdum 👊
KO vs. Overeem 👊
TKO vs. JDS 👊 pic.twitter.com/pzf7uksQTb— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) May 14, 2017
The victory saw Miocic retain the belt that signifies he’s the baddest dude on planet Earth and also means he avenged one of the two losses he has suffered in the UFC.
With yet another impressive win, Miocic once again proved the doubters wrong. He made sure to point out in his Octagon interview with Joe Rogan what that shiny gold strap around his waist symbolises.
“I’m the best. I’m the best in the world.”
No argument here, Stipe.
