If Daniel Cormier thinks he’s going to just waltz into the Octagon and wrap things up in the first frame, then he’s in for a big surprise in the UFC 241 pay-per-view (PPV) main event, where “DC” rematches former heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic.
That’s according to UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan.
Perhaps the time off will be a help — not a hindrance — to the full-time firefighter, who may return to the Octagon with renewed vigor. After all, Miocic is the same combatant who set a promotion record for heavyweight title defenses.
“DC connected with that beautiful punch in the clinch, but Stipe has had over a year to stew on that… I think [the time off is] a good thing for Stipe,” Rogan said (via BJPenn.com). “Stipe’s an animal, I’m not worried about that. I think he’s going to be better. Stipe’s a real veteran. He’s a humble dude. He’s a hard ass, he’s not going to come in there with a lot of expectations on himself, he’s just going to do his best, I think. If Donald Cerrone were to take a year off and then fight a title, I’d be like ‘woo, I’d like Donald to get a fight in.’”
Cormier (22-1, 1 NC), who was the light heavyweight champion at the time, popped and dropped Miocic in the UFC 226 headliner last July. He later relinquished his 205-pound title and defended the heavyweight strap against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230.
Miocic (18-3), meanwhile, was adamant that he deserved an immediate rematch and staged a non-violent sit-in while the promotion flirted with Brock Lesnar. Then the promotion got into bed with ESPN and the whole thing fell apart.
UFC 241 takes place Aug. 17 in Anaheim, California.