Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Stipe Miocic has earned his rematch with current UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. He may have had to wait longer than expected to get it but Miocic will face off against “DC” next weekend at UFC 241.
Before his knockout defeat to Cormier back at UFC 226 Miocic had racked off a record three-straight title defenses in the UFC’s heavyweight division. He was quickly cementing his legacy as one of the best heavyweights of all time. But with one swift punch Cormier knocked Miocic off his perch and stole his historic momentum.
While Miocic is happy to get his shot to regain the title he lost last year that’s not the only reason he’s gearing up for Cormier next weekend. Instead, the former UFC heavyweight champion is out to prove he’s simply the better fighter.
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” Miocic said during a recent episode of ESPN’s “Get Up.” “That’s the way I look at it. It drives me, it makes me hungrier. I want that belt back. It’s not even about the belt – I know I’m a better fighter.”
Miocic, who holds a fabulous 12-3 record in the UFC’s most unpredictable division, was landing some goods shots on Cormier before getting caught with a short punch inside that ended his night. The former heavyweight king ultimately chalks it up to a bad outing and truly believes the rematch is going to produce a different outcome.
“It wasn’t a good night,” Miocic said. “It didn’t play out the way I wanted it, but listen, the 17th, it’s going to be different. I can tell you that. He caught me with a punch, I thought I was all right. I’ve been hit harder, just not right on the button.”
Considering Cormier is one of the very best fighters in the history of the sport, and remains undefeated at the heavyweight level, Miocic is going to have to improve is game in more than one way if he wants to recapture his title at UFC 241. Miocic insists that his gameplan has changed for the rematch, it’s just a matter of putting his preparation into motion.
“Just fixing my flaws, some of my weaknesses that he may have exploited,” Miocic said. “But there’s a lot of things I’m going to do different. I can’t tell you now. The gameplan is down.”
“I see it ending with the belt around my waist, and new. There’s no question.”
UFC 241 will take place on Aug. 17 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and feature a co-main event clash between welterweight fan favorites Nate Diaz and Anthony Pettis.
For more UFC 241 fight card news click here.