UFC 226: Miocic vs Cormier Info and Prediction Thread

[tokeweed]

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/




Main Card (PPV)

Stipe Miocic (18-2) vs. Daniel Cormier (20-1) (Heavyweight Championship)
Max Holloway (19-3) vs. Brian Ortega (14-0) (Featherweight Championship)
Francis Ngannou (11-2) vs. Derrick Lewis (19-5) (Heavyweight)
Michael Chiesa (14-3) vs. Anthony Pettis (20-7) (Lightweight)
Gokhan Saki (1-1) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (6-2) (Light Heavyweight)

Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)

Uriah Hall (13-8) vs. Paulo Costa (11-0) (Middleweight)
Yancy Medeiros (15-5) vs. Mike Perry (11-3) (Welterweight)
Raphael Assuncao (26-5) vs. Rob Font (15-3) (Bantamweight)
Curtis Millender (15-3) vs. Max Griffin (14-4) (Welterweight)

Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

Dan Hooker (16-7) vs. Gilbert Burns (13-2) (Lightweight)
Lando Vannata (9-2-1) vs. Drakkar Klose (8-1-1) (Lightweight)
Jamie Moyle (4-2) vs. Emily Whitmire (2-2) (Women's Strawweight)

Thanks to the Puertorican for letting me use this content.

[tokeweed]

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

[Hydrogen]

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.

[Sukut]

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

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

[btc_angela]

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

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.

[bbc.reporter]

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.

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.

[BillyBobZorton]

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.

[tokeweed]

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

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.

[Hydrogen]

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.

[ATLCadillac]

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

[tokeweed]

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.

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.    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

[nydiacaskey01]

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.

[bbc.reporter]

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.

[nydiacaskey01]

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.

[Hydrogen]

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.

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.

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.

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.

[tokeweed]

^  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.  

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. 

[BillyBobZorton]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

[Baofeng]

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.

After the bout, Cormier called out former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, who came into the Octagon. The WWE star put on a pro-wrestling-like display to build up a presumed bout for later in the year.

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.

[BillyBobZorton]

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.

[btc_angela]

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.