Stipe Miocic Is Not Concerned With Daniel Cormier’s Wrestling Threats
Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier will be the two protagonists of one of the most anticipated trilogy fights in the history of the UFC heavyweight division.
The pair first met at UFC 226 in 2018, where ‘DC’ got the win via a knockout on the first round. Nonetheless, Miocic was able to bounce back and regained his belt by securing the TKO finish in the fourth round in their UFC 241 rematch a year later.
A Smaller Octagon
Now, both heavyweight icons will face each other for the third time on August 15th at UFC 252. The bout — which will take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas — will be held in a 25ft Octagon instead of the 30ft Octagon the UFC usually employs.
Miocic told ESPN that, although he would have preferred the standard Octagon, he will be comfortable in a smaller one.
“A bigger cage is better of course,” Miocic said. “It is what it is. I’m not going to cry about it. I definitely tried to get a bigger cage, but it wasn’t in the cards. What are you gonna do? I’m not worried. My [gym’s] cage is the same size, and I’ve been working on everything.”
Bring Your Wrestling Shoes
In the build-up for this title fight, Cormier has been open about his intention of utilising his wrestling more this time around. In an episode of the DC & Helwani Show on ESPN, the former double champion warned Miocic to “bring his wrestling shoes” and said to fans that “if you want to see a twenty-five-minute stand-up fight, that’s not what you get”.
Miocic, however, remains unfazed by Cormier’s latest comments. The champion believes he is ready for ‘DC’s’ wrestling, despite the Olympic pedigree that comes with it.
“There are a lot more angles and stuff, and getting pushed against the cage, you don’t have that extra five feet,” Miocic said. “We’ve definitely been training wrestling more. He said to bring my wrestling shoes. He’ll definitely try to wrestle me, but every fight starts standing, don’t forget that.
“We’ll see. Take me down then. We’re wrestling? I thought we were fighting.”
Miocic’s training regime has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As an active first responder in Ohio, the 37 year old devoted a great part of his time to his duties as a firefighter.
Nonetheless, Miocic states that his team was able to adjust and he got the necessary preparation for this heavyweight title clash. Regardless of who emerges as the victor after this bout, these two heavyweight all-time greats will deliver nothing short of spectacular for fans around the world.
Do you think Stipe Miocic will be able to defend his belt against Daniel Cormier at UFC 252?
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