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Date: Saturday, July 7th
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass): 22:30 BCT / 3:30pm PST / 6:30pm EST
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1): 00:00 BCT / 5pm PST / 8pm EST
Main Card (PPV): 2:00 BCT / 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Live Streams: http://www.fìrstrow.eu/


https://i.imgur.com/P5EB0Nm.jpg

Main Card (PPV)

https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Stipe Miocic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stipe_Miocic) (18-2) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Daniel Cormier (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Cormier) (20-1) (Heavyweight Championship)
https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Max Holloway (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Holloway) (19-3) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Brian Ortega (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Ortega) (14-0) (Featherweight Championship)
https://i.imgur.com/gZ5Onfj.gif Francis Ngannou (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Ngannou) (11-2) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Derrick Lewis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derrick_Lewis_(fighter)) (19-5) (Heavyweight)
https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Michael Chiesa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Chiesa) (14-3) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Anthony Pettis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Pettis) (20-7) (Lightweight)
https://i.imgur.com/Ndaz1Se.gif Gokhan Saki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6khan_Saki) (1-1) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Khalil Rountree Jr. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalil_Rountree_Jr.) (6-2) (Light Heavyweight)

Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)

https://i.imgur.com/fUuYOYZ.gif Uriah Hall (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uriah_Hall) (13-8) vs. https://i.imgur.com/1M3a7Pb.gif Paulo Costa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Costa_(fighter)) (11-0) (Middleweight)
https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Yancy Medeiros (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yancy_Medeiros) (15-5) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Mike Perry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Perry_(fighter)) (11-3) (Welterweight)
https://i.imgur.com/1M3a7Pb.gif Raphael Assuncao (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Assun%C3%A7%C3%A3o) (26-5) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Rob Font (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Font) (15-3) (Bantamweight)
https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Curtis Millender (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Millender) (15-3) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Max Griffin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Griffin_(fighter)) (14-4) (Welterweight)

Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

https://i.imgur.com/nlQmc0x.gif Dan Hooker (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Hooker) (16-7) vs. https://i.imgur.com/1M3a7Pb.gif Gilbert Burns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Burns_(fighter)) (13-2) (Lightweight)
https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Lando Vannata (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lando_Vannata) (9-2-1) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Drakkar Klose (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakkar_Klose) (8-1-1) (Lightweight)
https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Jamie Moyle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Moyle) (4-2) vs. https://i.imgur.com/TNaFXPM.gif Emily Whitmire (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Emily-Whitmire-61380) (2-2) (Women's Strawweight)

Thanks to the Puertorican for letting me use this content (https://www.liquidpoker.net/poker-forum/1158096/UFC_226:_Miocic_vs._Cormier.html).

What do you guys think of Miocic to win via decision at 3.00?  I think that's the most likely outcome as I don't think Cormier will go all out guns blazing (like he usually does) vs Miocic.  That would be a big mistake since Miocic has much KO power with that (short) right.  

And I don't think Miocic will be aggro either cos of the threat of Cormier's td's.  It could end by more than 3.5 rounds too, which is at 1.90 or something at Nitrogen.

Anyway watch the vid below.  Enjoy.  ;)

UFC 226:  Inside the Octagon - Miocic vs Cormier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7qZxlqWz3E

Notes.

-Gokhan Saki looked very tired inside round 1 of his first UFC fight. Not certain if that will factor in here but if the fight goes longer than 1 round Gokhan Saki could be in trouble.

-Francis Ngannou showed his wrestling and ground game were vulnerable in his last fight. Derrick Lewis has shown good wrestling and that he's good on the ground. Not certain if Lewis' strengths will align against Ngannou's weaknesses. Tough test for Ngannou that's for sure.

-Don't forget Brian Ortega has tested positive for steroids in the past and tends to pace himself in fights--which could be why he has so many round 3 finishes. It might mean that Ortega will have difficulty lasting 5 rounds, especially if Max Holloway pushes the pace.

...

There is another UFC event one day before UFC 226: The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale.

More than 3.5 rounds totally makes sense. Thanks for the vid

Yes, I think both of them will be really be cautious and maybe we can see the first as a feel round. And then they will try to adjust something is round 2 which Miocic usually does and go for the kill in round 3. As for DC, he will be very defensive on this one, not the same as his other fights where in he tries to bully with his wrestling. Miocic is a good wrestler as well, so its going to be hard to push him, plus Miocic has KO power, he might not KO DC with one shot, but the accumulation might take effect in the later rounds. Yeah a 3.5 rounds is a good bet, in my opinion.

It will also be Ortega's real test versus a fighter who is on a fighting quality higher than Frankie Edgar. Also, Frankie already should retire I reckon. There is nothing more he can do for the sport, unless he wants to be like Cowboy Cerrone hehehe.

Cormier has KO power, or at least enough to shock him, destabilize him and put him on the ground, then Miocic's long arms and legs will be Cormier's playground to finish the fight, he is an olympian wrestler, top level, nobody is as good as him at least in HW division.

Cormier will have to rely on his insane reach advantage and power, on the technical aspect he is an inferior fighter. This is like McGregor vs Khabib. McGregor should try to use reach and striking advantage to not get destroyed in the wrong by Khabib superior ground game, and Khabib should avoid striking due short arms and inferior striking game. Interesting fight I cant wait.

^  Again, Cormier can't just go out guns blazing vs Miocic.  Remember Werdum?  ;D

Anyway, one factor often ignored that could favor Cormier is one of his training partners is Cain Velasquez (who's the greatest HW in the UFC, IMHO).  If Cormier trained to fight more like Velasquez (grinding opponent down, smothering opponent to the cage), I think that could wear Miocic down.  But then he has to get near and be in Miocic's (strong short) punching range.

Honestly dunno...  It's an interesting match up.

Update: Yancy Medeiros pulled out of his fight with Mike Perry and was replaced by Paul Felder.

Episode 1 of the UFC 226 embedded vblog is up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdUiKGq4ZLo

Cain Velasquez finished Daniel Cormier inside 5 rounds when they first started sparring together and DC was newer to MMA. Not certain how their later sparring sessions went. Cormier laid the blueprint for how to defeat knockout punchers via wrestling/grappling in both of his Anthony Johnson fights. People also tend to forget that DC took Anthony Johnson's hardest punches without being finished. I would be interested to know how much harder Stipe hits than Anthony Johnson, if at all.

Oscar De La Hoya's Goldenboy promotion is doing Tito Ortiz vs Chuck Liddell 3. I wonder how people will feel about that.

I'm rooting for Cormier, but honestly this might be Miocic's win.

Anthony Johnson is fast and has the KO power, but he really hasn't really shown any heart when the fight doesn't go his way, esp. at the beginning.  And almost everybody I talked to is focused on what Cormier would do.  After Ngannou, I think we should rate Miocic much higher.  

Anyway, is it just me or does Holloway look like a waiter.  :D  Watch the vids and tell me I'm wrong.

UFC 226 Embedded:  Vlog Series - Ep. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGmOc7nbrbQ

UFC 226 Countdown:  Full Episode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W--SSlS1oVI

If Cormier will slug it out with Miocic, Cormier will be in a disadvantageous situation since Miocic is 5 inches taller than Cormier, Miocic have the height advantage. In terms of Reach, again its Miocic who has the advantage with 80 inch reach compared to Cormier's 72 inch. If Cormier will go to the ground then I guess Cormier have the advantage since he has a wrestling back ground.

Max Holloway is not fighting on Saturday. His doctors said that he his showing concussion-like symptoms that includes slurred speech, some dizziness and oversleeping.

Daniel Cormier also fell after a press conference and he was saw limping. What will Dana do? His original story board for UFC 226 was supposed to be the biggest card of the year.

I hope this will not be a reason for the fight to be cancelled. I have seen Daniel Cormier react when a fight of his got cancelled, he felt like he was being robbed, so I don't think Daniel Cormier will back out on this one but lets see. He may not back out but if his doctors advised him not to fight then this coming fight this weekend will just be another UFC event.

The UFC site says Stipe has an 80 inch reach about 4 inches less than Jon Jones 84 inch reach. Cormier fought him twice. Cormier did a good job with his boxing in both fights. I think Stipe and Jon Jones could be close to the same height/reach. Stipe has more body mass and hits harder than Jones.

Main thing I didn't like about DC in the 2nd Jones fight was the way he seemed to be kind of sleepwalking in the cage. Like he wasn't fully there and wasn't 100% paying attention. He kind of looks that way in the embeddeds and press conferences leading up to UFC 226.

One thing DC could have going for him is he might be able to push a much better pace than Stipe can. The pace in both fights with Jon Jones was very fast with a lot of strikes being thrown and a lot of wrestling/grappling exchanges. I don't know if Stipe can match that intensity he slowed down very quickly against Ngannou despite fighting @ a slower pace.


There's video of it on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B9hgFigpts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUDESN7Bl8A

They say Cormier tripped on a speaker or its cable that was on the floor near where he was sitting.

^  That's the thing Cormier can't just step in on Miocic tho even if he's used to fighting taller and longer guys.  Miococ can still hit a good one going backwards.  Remember Werdum.  ;D

I mean after Ngannou, I think we're still underestimating Miocic's abilites here.

Oh...  And Ngannou vs Lewis just got promoted to the co main event.  Fine with me.  :)

Wow, this is completely nuts. I remember Khabib vs Tony Ferguson also got cancelled because Ferguson tripped on a cable after an interview. This was a total disaster for the UFC and Dana White was so angry. Khabib vs Ferguson was cancelled for the third time after that incident.

I hope Cormier is good to go tomorrow, if its get cancelled UFC will continue being a bit of a joke with all these big fights being suspended for one reason or another.

Max also out:

https://www.cbssports.com/mma/video/max-holloway-out-of-ufc-226-with-concussion-like-symptoms/

With Cormier and Max out, no big fights on this card..

I was surprised that no one has still commented on the fight. I thought it was still in the next 24 hours though. But I was surprised to see DC knocking out Stipe to claim the HeavyWeight belt.


https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/7/8/17545362/ufc-226-results-daniel-cormier-knocks-out-stipe-miocic-claims-ufc-heavyweight-title

Lol. I don't know if Brock will oblige. Need to scan Youtube for videos because he KO Stipe in round 1.

Edit:

https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/7/8/17545364/ufc-226-video-brock-lesnar-shoves-daniel-cormier-puts-heavyweight-division-on-blast

Looks like it was all a setup and a new storyline from Dana White.

Awesome card, except Francis Ngannou which ruined the fight because the guy was incapable of throwing a single shoot. What the hell was he thinking?

Not surprised at DC's win. Guy is an elite fighter, tremendous knockout power with these uppercuts, he got in range and KO'd the giant. Fantastic win, now I can't wait to see him fight Brock, that will be a fun fight, he will look even smaller next to the massive Brock Lesnar.

Yep, that right was on the target.  I think he is better fighting at Heavyweight division.  But I don't know why he calls Brock Lesnar, that guy is totally irrelevant in UFC now. Or perhaps there's a lot of money involved, and Brock is is one scary dude. Lol.

Not sure why Cormier called out Brock, surely he understands the massive disadvantage he'll have? Brock is massive as fuck.

He got a good win over Miocic, but it wasn't entirely unexpected, yes, he's getting older, but UFC isn't as much of a young man's game as some other contact sports, e.g. Boxing. Brock Lesnar will probably wreck Cormier simply due to the 50lbs weigh advantage. Cormier is a beast true, but punching against the weight is never a good idea.

Maybe Daniel Cormier want's a big payday that's why he is calling out Brock Lesnar. I was expecting Derrick Lewis to be Daniel Cormier's next opponent because there we're rumors during the conference Derrick Lewis says "You’re smaller than everybody up here" and Daniel Cormier vs Derrick Lewis much interesting and reasonable than Daniel Cormier vs Brock Lesnar. Where is Brock Lesnar ranked? Sure he is a crowd drawer but this guy only have a few tricks in his bag.

I reckon you 2 do not have experience in Dana's UFC storyboards yet? hehehe

Cormier's call out was scripted. A money fight versus Brock Lesnar is Daniel's reward after winning the heavyweight championship, and to Dana's relief because he can now make a new storyboard after Daniel versus Brock.

Daniel Cormier versus Jon Jones in heavyweight should be the possible next in line for the UFC.

Fighting a massive pay per view draw like Conor McGregor translates to higher UFC paycheck. As a result, UFC fighters prefer big fights with big names like Brock Lesnar knowing they'll be paid more for their efforts. I think the UFC has also recently negotiated a new tv deal with ESPN that pays out much more than the old deal with Fox Sports. That should also result in a pay raise for fighters in the UFC.

The UFC 226 card was ok. There were a lot of big names. I have a feeling we've seen more talented fighters on some of the smaller tv cards. Wish Daniel Cormier had fought cleaner and not poked Stipe around the eyes so much with his fingers. Ngannou seemed like he froze up during his fight. Maybe he had flashbacks to his fight with Stipe which kept him from performing the way he might want to.

I don't care about Brock Lesnar vs Daniel Cormier. Two big names but they both could be past their prime and no matter what Cormier does, he'll always be compared to Jon Jones and people will always remember that he lost twice. I don't know if anything DC does will ever overshadow that or make people forget.

I agree. With joe rogan's laughing face in the back, that post fight was better than most wwe promos and vince mcmahon would be very proud of brock lol. Stipe i think deserves a rematch period. Brock's been getting everything the easy way wherever he goes because he attracts more money but i don't think it's good for the sport.

Ooook...  Well that was unexpected.  Lmao.  I really didn't think Cormier would be a beast at HW.  Now I'm thinking his weight cutting is what's taking him to a disadvantage at LW...?  (Aside from Jon Jones' use of steriods, of course...  If vs Jones.  Otherwise, he's still also a beast at LW)

Obviously there is the most money involved in an huge Brock Lesnar fight, plus DC is the better fighter so he has the advantage skills wise by a mile. The only problem he will have to face is to defeat an huge guy, but he has proven it can be done by KO'ing none other tan Stipe. Stipe is a superior fighter to Brock as well. Of course Lesnar is probably the bigges guy in the HW division, let's see how DC deals with that. I think it will just take a single punch and Lesnar goes down. He hates being punched in the face, he just can't take a punch.

If I was DC I would fight him too, then retire with an huge win, huge payday to leave as a 2 belt world champion. But he said he will at least do 2 more fights, so thats Brock and a rematch with Stipe or Bones.

He outweigh Stipe if i'm not mistaken, and I think that its a big factor contributing to the KO, because once Stipe was hit, BOOM bye bye.

I agree with @Hydrogen, the stigma that he was beaten by Jones twice during their prime will be a big question mark on his career. Unless he won against Jones in either LHW or HW and removed that doubt from the fans.

Indeed, DC was outweighting Stipe by a bit. 242.5 vs 246 for DC. Not that much of a difference in my opinion, also it was mostly fat, not muscle. DC is just a very strong guy, very explosive in the uppercuts, he shocked Jones too on the last fight, but in HW he is definitely under his natural weight.

Also DC's HW belt is totally separated from the LW belt so ther are no question marks there. In any case the ball is on Jones' court since he was the one that as caught cheating after all.

WOW!  Talk about upset city- all 5 of the main card fights the underdog won -

https://twitter.com/jedigoodman/status/1016026750436851712

@BillyBobZorton. I reckon Dana White's new storyboard will be Stipe versus Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier versus Brock Lesnar double header hehehe.

I also reckon that Dana wants to kill Stipe's career after Stipe disrespected him after Stipe's fight versus Francis Ngannou. Dana will feed him to Jon Jones, who has the skill to win versus the former heavyweight champion.

Daniel can win versus Brock Lesnar very easily, I reckon. This fight is only a money fight reward for the winner of UFC 226 heavyweight championship.

Dana White confirmed that a week before the fight Brock Lesnar called him (Dana) and apologized for keeping him in the dark, I guess that means ignoring him while Lesnar is busy with his part time job in WWE. Anyway, if the fight between Brock Lesnar and Daniel Cormier pushes through, it's one massive payday again for Daniel Cormier, allegedly he was paid by UFC 500k USD while its 750K for Miocic. Looking at Miocic during the post fight conference, his face received a lot of beating.

I can't wait for the rematch between these two...  I hope Miocic gets it asap.  The Lesnar thing seems like nothing but a distraction. 

Anyway, Miocic could've learned a thing or two by watching past matches of Cormier's other opponents, esp. the ones vs Jon Jones.  'Nullifying that right arm during a collar tie is key, to the vid below to see.'  ;)

BJJ Scout: Daniel Cormier v Stipe Miocic Post Fight Study: Evolution of DC's Dirty Boxing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQqphWiJRl8

Just a reminder there are two bellator events friday and saturday.

Bellator 202

Julia Budd (c)   vs.   Talita Nogueira            
Eduardo Dantas   vs.   Michael McDonald            
Chris Honeycutt   vs.   Leo Leite            
Valentin Moldavsky   vs.   Ernest James            

Jon Hill   vs.   Rudy Schaffroth            
Fernando Gonzalez Trevino   vs.   Tyler Ingram            
Emily Ducote   vs.   Veta Arteaga            
Gerald Harris   vs.   Yaroslav Amosov            
Will Morris   vs.   Charles Williams            
Nation Gibrick   vs.   Luis Erives            
Aaron Webb   vs.   Daniel Carey            
Steve Kozola   vs.   Ryan Walker

Bellator 203

Patricio Freire (c)   vs.   Daniel Weichel            
Alessio Sakara   vs.   Jamie Sloane            
Andrey Koreshkov   vs.   Vaso Bakocevic            
Simone La Preziosa   vs.   Maxim Radu            
Michele Martignoni   vs.   Simone D'Anna            
Will Fleury   vs.   Alen Amedovski            

(Kickboxing)   Giorgio Petrosyan   vs.   Chingiz Allazov            
(Kickboxing)   Kevin Ross (c)   vs.   Gabriel Varga   

Another UFC event on saturday also.

UFC Fight Night, JDS vs Blagoy Ivanov

Junior dos Santos   vs.   Blagoy Ivanov            
Sage Northcutt   vs.   Zak Ottow            
Dennis Bermudez   vs.   Rick Glenn            
Randy Brown   vs.   Niko Price            
Myles Jury   vs.   Chad Mendes            
Cat Zingano   vs.   Marion Reneau            

Eddie Wineland   vs.   Alejandro Pérez            
Darren Elkins   vs.   Alexander Volkanovski            
Justin Scoggins   vs.   Said Nurmagomedov            
Kurt Holobaugh   vs.   Raoni Barcelos            

Liz Carmouche   vs.   Jennifer Maia            
Mark De La Rosa   vs.   Elias Garcia            
Jessica Aguilar   vs.   Jodie Esquibel

....

If I remember right, Daniel Cormier says he's retiring after the Brock Lesnar fight?

There might never be a DC versus Jon Jones III. I can't say I'm a fan of how cocky Daniel Cormier is over winning his fight. Stipe's eyes had scratches all around them, it looked like he got scratched by a cat. That could have been critical and is not the type of clean win someone should be proud of imo.

I hope more UFC light heavyweights try fighting @ heavyweight. Anthony Johnson fought Andrei Arlovski and won @ heavyweight years ago. Heavyweight could be a shallow division.

Daniel Cormier could retire after the Brock Lesnar fight because that is not going to happen this year, he has two more fights left and he will either defend his light heavyweight title before his fight against Brock Lesnar, what i would like to see is Jon Jones being cleared to fight and a show down between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones for the heavy weight belt as i am more interested to see how Daniel could do different in the higher weight division rather than seeing another dominant win by Jon Jones . :D

I agree that a DC vs Jon Jones as Heavyweight could put fans on the arena to watch the way. It could be Jon Jones comeback fight and its for the belt that DC won. This two has a lot of drama between them that fans wanted to see them settle inside the Octagon. DC shows that he is comfortable as HW so its really interesting how the fight will end.

Reminder, UFC Fight Night Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs Anthony "Lionheart" Smith is live around 8-10 hours earlier than normal this sunday morning for US residents.

Maurício Rua   vs.   Anthony Smith            
Glover Teixeira   vs.   Corey Anderson            
Vitor Miranda   vs.   Abu Azaitar            
Marcin Tybura   vs.   Stefan Struve            
Danny Roberts   vs.   David Zawada            
Nasrat Haqparast   vs.   Marc Diakiese            

Nick Hein   vs.   Damir Hadžović            
Emil Weber Meek   vs.   Bartosz Fabiński            
Khalid Taha   vs.   Nad Narimani            
Justin Ledet   vs.   Aleksandar Rakić            

Davey Grant   vs.   Manny Bermudez            
Jeremy Kimball   vs.   Darko Stošić            
Damian Stasiak   vs.   Liu Pingyuan

Dana White's "Contender" series has also been airing on tuesdays.

Not much news in MMA. Looks like Valentina Shevchenko and Nicco Montano will fight for the 125 lb title. Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington are supposed to fight for the 170 title later this year. Khabib Nurmagomedov isn't fighting until after ramadan. Max Holloway is being checked out by doctors to figure out what his health condition is. The UFC didn't pay Brian Ortega anything as he didn't fight Jeremy Stephens on short notice. Brendan Schaub and Dana White got into a twitter beef. Conor McGregor met Vladimir Putin in russia. Etc.