UFC 252

Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier showed why they are considered two of the greatest to ever do it Saturday night at UFC 252.

After five rounds and 25 minutes of action in the third meeting between the two it was Miocic declared the winner, retaining his belt. The two split their first two encounters, with the trilogy being completed inside the UFC Apex. 

Cormier won the first to become UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion at the same time. Miocic reclaimed his title in the rematch. Both of those fights ended early.

Near the end of the first round, Cormier got the better of an exchange against Miocic, nearly planting him with a shot. There were a couple of near-takedown attempts as well by the former Olympic wrestler. 

In the second, Cormier got caught. Miocic landed and was able to reign down with a series of punches on “DC” just as the round came to an end. Cormier stumbled to his corner after the attack. 

By the start of the third, Cormier’s left eye was nearly swollen completely shut from an eye poke by Miocic. The fourth was an all-stand-up exchange between the two.

Injury Derails Co-Main Event

The two warriors shared a nice embrace to start the fifth before battling this one to the final buzzer. 

The co-main event was to feature fireworks, but an injury to Sean O’Malley early in the first round ended that.

Marlon Vera took advantage, claiming a big-time victory for himself by stopping O’Malley. 

Minutes into the bout, O’Malley’s right leg gave out as he prepared to engage in the center of the Octagon. Vera capitalized, securing his 16th career victory after landing a series of nasty elbows. 

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos was not able to stand and trade with Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

Just over midway through the second round, Rozenstruik finished off “Cigano” with strikes, picking up his 11th win in 12 career fights. The contender now owns wins over dos Santos, Alistair Overeem and Andrei Arlovski.

For dos Santos, the loss was his third consecutive, with all three of them being finishes. 

Herbert Burns paid for missing weight, as Daniel Pineda dominated him before earning a second round finish. 

Pineda connected with elbows late in the second, scoring his 27th career win and first inside the Octagon since his run in the UFC back in 2014. Since that time, Pineda has competed in Bellator MMA, Legacy FC and the PFL. 

Merab Dvalishvili opened up the pay-per-view main card with a convincing decision win over John Dodson. Dvalishvili swept all three rounds on all three scorecards for the victory.

The 29-year-old stretched his win streak to five in a row by besting Dodson, a former title contender in the flyweight division. 

Pichel Among Early Prelim Winners

Vinc Pichel claimed one of the biggest victories of his career, topping veteran Jim Miller via decision in the prelim main event. Pichel improved to 13-2 with the win and 6-1 in his last seven overall.

Virna Jandiroba spoiled Felice Herrig’s return to action, securing a first round submission victory. Daniel Chavez topped TJ Brown via decision in a catchweight bout after Brown missed weight. 

In the ESPN and ESPN+ prelim opener, Livia Renata Souza claimed a decision over Ashley Yoder. Souza, a former Invicta FC champion, improved to 14-2 overall and 3-1 with the UFC. 

Chris Daukaus made a nice impact in the heavyweight division, finishing Parker Porter. 

Daukaus connected with strikes late in the first, putting Porter away with 32 seconds left in the round. 

Kai Kamaka III opened the night with a decision over Tony Kelley. Kamaka swept the scorecards in the featherweight contest. 

UFC 252: Miocic Vs. Cormier 3 Results

Stipe Miocic def. Daniel Cormier via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-47, 48-47)

Marlon Vera def. Sean O’Malley via TKO (strikes) at 4:40 of Round 1

Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Junior dos Santos via TKO (strikes) at 3:47 of Round 2

Daniel Pineda def. Herbert Burns via TKO (strikes) at 4:37 of Round 2

Merab Dvalishvili def. John Dodson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Vinc Pichel def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

Virma Jandiroba def. Felice Herrig via submission (armbar) at 1:44 of Round 1

Daniel Chavez def. TJ Brown via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Livia Renata Souza def. Ashley Yoder via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Chris Daukhaus def. Parker Porter via TKO (strikes) at 4:28 of Round 1

Kai Kamaka III def. Tony Kelley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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