UFC 252 was home for the epic third meeting between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier went on on August 15, 2020 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas behind closed doors. With COVID procedures still in place, fight fans watched from home as Miocic retained his belt.
UFC 252: Stipe Miocic-Daniel Cormier 3 On This Day
Over the past decade, the heavyweight division in the UFC saw some of the best of the best in terms of athletes. UFC 252 was home to two of those fighters going one-on-one for the belt, as Stipe Miocic faced Daniel Cormier.
The bout would become the retirement fight for Cormier, as the former champion and legend had announced plans to step away regardless of the outcome.
Miocic, who earned a win in the second meeting after losing the first via knockout in the opening round, showed his strength in earning a decision and retaining his belt.
He is also set to challenge for the title at UFC 295 later this year vs. Jon Jones, the long-time rival of Cormier.
In the co-main event, Sean O’Malley saw his movement hit a speed bump, as Marlon Vera stopped him in the first round. Since that defeat, though, O’Malley is 4-0 with a no-contest, and now the No. 1 contender to the bantamweight belt.
O’Malley will challenge Aljamain Sterling for the title at UFC 292 later this month.
Former Champion Stopped In Second
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos suffered a second round TKO loss when Jairzinho Rozenstruik stormed him.
This marked the third of four consecutive Octagon defeats for dos Santos, who would leave the promotion at the end of the year after losing to Ciryl Gane.
Daniel Pineda stopped Herbert Burns and Merab Dvalishvili earned a convincign decision win vs. John Dodson to begin the main card.
Veterans On The Prelims Fall Short
Veterans Jim Miller and Felice Herrig each suffered losses on the prelims, which aired live on ESPN and ESPN+. Miller was topped by Vinc Pichel and Herrig suffered a submission loss to Virna Jandiroba.
Danny Chavez, Livia Renata Souza, Chris Daukaus and Kai Kamaka III were all prelim card winners on the night.
