Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Live, blow-by-blow updates for the UFC 241 main event between heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic.
Join us today (Saturday, August 17th) on Bloody Elbow for live results, discussion, round by round scoring, and detailed play-by-play commentary for UFC 241, which takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The big main event sees reigning UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier defending his title against Stipe Miocic, 13 months removed from Cormier’s incredible first-round KO to win the title from Miocic and become a simultaneous two-division champion. As for the co-main event, Nate Diaz returns to action for the first time in three years, as he battles former UFC lightweight king Anthony Pettis in a welterweight showdown.
All the action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at approximately 6:30 PM ET with three fights. The prelims move to ESPN at 8 PM ET for four more bouts, then onto the main PPV card at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT. Remember that you can only order UFC PPVs now through ESPN+, so you have to sign up for that service beforehand if you haven’t already.
This post covers play-by-play and scoring of Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic. We bust these out for bigger fights and bigger cards, and Cormier vs. Miocic fits the bill.
Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic – UFC heavyweight championship
Round 1 – Here we go! Miocic with a leg kick. Cormier with a leg kick in return. They each land lead leg kicks once more. Cormier’s kick strays a bit high but Stipe is fine. Outside leg kick by Cormier buckles Stipe. Fakes the low single and lands a shot upstairs. Cormier clips Miocic in close quarters. Good left hook by Cormier. Another one lands and Stipe counters down the middle. Another quick combo by Cormier and now he shoots on Stipe. DC takes him for a ride! Cormier drops him to the mat! Side control by Cormier and now Stipe gets half guard. The champ throwing some short punches to the body as Miocic gets to full guard. Cormier staying busy with left hands to the head and body. One minute left and Cormier postures up and lands some harder ground strikes. Stipe with a big upkick, Cormier scrambles and gets back on top and Stipe is eating some huge hammerfists. Stipe blocks some of them. Miocic back to his feet, taking elbows, and that was a one-sided round for the champion. 10-9 Cormier.
Round 2 – Stiff jab by Miocic to start the second frame. Miocic can’t connect on the right hand. Brutal knee to the body by Miocic. Quick left by Cormier glances off Stipe’s chin. More body work by Stipe as he starts to find his rhythm. Another jab by Miocic. Elbow by Cormier and a right hand. Another big elbow by Cormier. Hard right hand by Stipe! Cormier walking forward and lands a jab and a right hand. Another right by Cormier. Miocic might have gotten poked in the eye and Herb says that was fine! Cormier on the attack and Stipe tags Cormier now! This has turned into a slugfest and he clinches up with the former champ. Uppercut just misses for Stipe. Miocic with a three-punch combo and Cormier backs up. Big right by Cormier and again! Heavy shots being traded and both men are taking them well! Left hook by Cormier and he closes the distance and clinches. Good right by Miocic. Two right hand by Cormier. Uppercut lifts Miocic’s head up! Miocic with a 1-2! They are standing toe to toe and exchanging. Head kick by Cormier! Left hook by Miocic! The chins on these dudes! 20-18 Cormier.
Round 3 – Big right hand by Stipe and Cormier is staggered momentarily. Stipe shoots for a takedown and Cormier stuffs it and lands a right hand. Miocic gets jabbed to the eye and he felt that. Hard right by Miocic and Cormier retaliates. Leg kick by Miocic. Stipe nearly with the trip. uppercut by Cormier and Stipe hits him with a left. They clinch against the fence. Knee to the body by Miocic. Spinning elbow by Miocic comes up with air. Cormier connects with a jab. And another one. Body kick by DC. Punishing jab by Cormier continues to land. Miocic with a right hand that stings DC. Right hand by Cormier and now a takedown by Miocic. Cormier back to the feet bue he takes a knee to the body. Bad shot by Cormier and Stipe has the clinch, and they exit out. Cormier with a sharp right hand. Leg kick by Cormier. Great 1-2 by DC and Stipe is stunned. Right hand by Cormier again. Stipe clocks Cormier and Cormier eats it. Cormier counters with two shots as the round ends. 30-27 Cormier.
Round 4 – Nobody has thrown a strike in 30 seconds. Very little engagement right now but Cormier connects on a leg kick. Leaping left hook by Cormier lands. Pushing jab by Stipe. He just misses with the right hand. Jab by Cormier. Leg kick by Cormier on the inside. Ripping left hook to the body by Stipe. And another one. And a left hook upstairs. Jab by Cormier. Right hand by Cormier. Another big body shot by Miocic. Cormier is feeling those. More body shots by Stipe. Cormier is getting tattooed. Jab lands for Cormier but Stipe is KILLING his body. Right hand by Cormier! Backfist by DC and a left hook by Stipe to the body. Body shots by Miocic are hurting Cormier and now he unleashes a massive combination of punches that floors Cormier! HE’S DOWN AND OUT! THAT’S A KNOCKOUT WIN FOR STIPE MIOCIC AND HE GETS THE BELT BACK!
Official result: Stipe Miocic def. Daniel Cormier by TKO (punches) at 4:09 of round 4 to become the new UFC heavyweight champion