Stipe Miocic-Daniel Cormier III Officially Confirmed For August
One of the most-highly anticipated trilogy fights in UFC heavyweight history will be happening exactly one year later.
Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, UFC President Dana White made several announcements, including where “Fight Island” will take place. One announcement was that Stipe Miocic v. Daniel Cormier for the UFC Heavyweight Title will take place on August 15. A location has not been revealed yet, but “Fight Island” and Las Vegas are both possibilities for the event being called UFC 252.
UFC President @danawhite announced on @FirstTake the Miocic-Cormier trilogy fight will take place on August 15. pic.twitter.com/d4cMVLeU0G
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 9, 2020
The trilogy fight between the two is two years in the making. Back in 2018, Cormier (22-2, 1NC), the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion at the time, beat Miocic (19-3) for the UFC Heavyweight Title. Cormier knocked Miocic out in the first round at UFC 226. That fight took place in July.
It took a year+ for the rematch to take place in California. In August 2019 at UFC 241, it appeared as though Cormier was going to win again. Miocic, however, fought back. He hit several liver and face shots and eventually, Miocic won via TKO in the fourth round.
Miocic needed surgery after that fight to fix a torn retina. Cleared to compete, Miocic was unsure when he would be able to fight again. The coronavirus pandemic forced gyms to close down and he ended up returning to his other job as a firefighter.
Cormier has been waiting for Miocic to be cleared. If he wasn’t ready, Cormier was considering fighting for an interim title. Cormier recently announced this will be his last fight before retiring. The wrestler announced that the fight was signed recently on social media.
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LGihyhWkhT
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 8, 2020