Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Stipe Miocic will finally get his wish to rematch current UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier later this month at UFC 241.
Remember, Miocic lost his heavyweight title to Cormier last year at UFC 226 after “DC” took his light heavyweight crown and moved up a weight class to become double champ. Miocic, who had broke the UFC heavyweight record for most consecutive title defenses (3) before that fight, has been vying for a shot to regain his title ever since.
With the rematch on the horizon and headlining arguably the best PPV card of the year, UFC has opened up its vault and released Miocic’s knockout win over former UFC champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198 back in 2016 (which can be seen in the above video player).
This was Miocic’s first UFC title shot and really the first big fight of his promotional career. Sure the heavyweight knockout artist held wins over Andrei Arlovski and Mark Hunt entering that bout, but losses to Junior dos Santos and Stefan Stuve left fight fans wondering how Miocic would do on the big stage against one of the best heavyweight fighters of all time.
The Ohio native did not disappoint on enemy soil in Brazil, as he clocked Werdum in the very first round with a short right hand counter while circling back along the cage. Werdum instantly fell to the canvas and Miocic walked away with the heavyweight title and what remains the biggest win of his career.
Defeating Cormier and taking his belt back next weekend at UFC 241 will certainly top his knockout finish over Werdum, but “DC” is undefeated at the heavyweight level. Miocic is going to have to tuck his chin and give Cormier everything he has to pry the heavyweight title away from the champ.
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.