UFC 252 Prediction: Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier III

Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic will lock horns for one last time in the upcoming headliner of UFC 252 at APEX Center this weekend.

While there has been a huge debate regarding the outcome, all the doubts will get cleared on August 15. No analysis will get the job done, but the men themselves inside the cage have to rise to the occasion.

While the UFC heavyweight title will be put on the line, there would be much more at stake for DC and Miocic. The promotion is already touting the fight as ‘Greatest Heavyweight Ever’, and no fighter wants to lose.

Here’s how the fight may turn out in the main-event on August 15.

Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier III Preview

Both Miocic and Cormier know what it takes to defeat the other. DC, 41, kicked off the heavyweight rivalry by knocking out Miocic in their original contest at UFC 226. DC registered himself in the history books that night by becoming a two-division UFC champion.

However, Miocic avenged the loss in fashion by knocking out DC in the re-match at UFC 241. Thus, it is safe to state that both the Heavyweights can knock the other out. Yet, the rematch might look different from their first two encounters.

The first fight ended in a mere round as Cormier landed some big shots over Miocic to put him on the canvas. It was a short contest where Miocic couldn’t showcase his skills.

However, the re-match went to a distance of four rounds, where both the men were taken out of their comfort zone.

DC dominated the first two rounds of the fight, but as the third round began, Miocic changed momentum. Despite consuming some serious damage, Miocic could wear out Cormier before knocking him out in the fourth round. Thus, the matchup might appear different if it goes to the edge.

The effect of the APEX Center

The 25 feet cage can also play a massive role in dictating the results of the fight. Miocic initially hesitated to compete against DC in a shorter cage.

Usually, UFC bouts are conducted inside the 30 feet cage, but the APEX facility boasts a smaller model.

Being a wrestler, it would be easy for Cormier to close the distance.

However, the fight would still happen in APEX, citing some minimal advantage for DC. Well, even if it goes down as a striking contest, Cormier would still have the chance to dominate.

Miocic, who is comfortable to go the distance, would seemingly go for the body shots again, which proved beneficial for him at UFC 241. Yet, Cormier would also look forward to protecting his body, as he told BT Sport.

It can either be a shutter-close contest or a lengthy tough-call. That said, DC would like have the upper hand. Since he dominated Miocic on both the fights for at least a brief period, he would predictably repeat the same.

Miocic, on the other side, can also shock the world by repeating what he did by the end of his re-match with DC at UFC 241.

To seal all the queries, APEX would wait for the heavyweight giants to set foot inside the octagon.

Prediction: Daniel Cormier defeats Stipe Miocic via unanimous decision