Stipe vs. Cormier winner is UFC heavyweight G.O.A.T.
But is the winner greater still?
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and former champ champ Daniel Cormier have a trilogy fight in the main event of UFC 252 on Saturday night. There’s a lot at stake.
During a recent interview with Damon Martin for MMA Fighting, Stipe was asked if the winner is the heavyweight G.O.A.T.
Definitely. I believe so, replied Miocic. I think we’ve done so much. Unfortunately for him, it’s going to be me.
{in the last fight] I got off to a slow start until the third round when I started moving around. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever started that slow in a fight, but I still finished it. Hopefully, I keep it that way. You learn a lot. Just don’t be an idiot and don’t start slow. … A knockout’s the way to go. End the night early, come out of there unscathed.”
Every fight’s different, he’s got a different game plan himself, so do I. We’re working on weaknesses, trying to exploit them. … We worked on standing, we worked on the ground, we worked on wrestling, worked on jiu-jitsu, worked on boxing, kickboxing, we’re doing everything. … If he takes me down, I’ll get right back up. … … After this and we’re done with the trilogy, finally it’s over. The trilogy is over.
He’s a great fighter. That guy keeps coming, he doesn’t stop. There’s a reason he’s at the top. He’s a hell of a fighter. He’s going to bring it again here on Saturday. I’m ready for it.
I’ve got no bad blood towards him. Not at all. I’m going out with the belt around my waist but I’ll definitely shake his hand, say it was a hell of a time.
At Tuesday’s DWCS post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White agreed – emphatically – that the winner is G.O.A.T.
I’m so pumped for that fight, said White, as transcribed by Farah Hannoun and John Morgan for MMA Junkie. First of all, both the fights before the trilogy have been incredible. The way that Cormier won the first fight and the way that Stipe won the second fight, and it’s one of the best trilogies ever. I saw some debate on if the winner of this fight would go down as the greatest heavyweight – it’s no f***ing debate. There’s no debate. The winner of this fight is the greatest heavyweight ever. Not of this era – ever in UFC history and mixed martial arts.
I know there’s talk about other guys, you gotta look at who they fought, and there’s just no doubt. There’s no question that these two – Saturday will determine who the man is.
White is right that the winner is the UFC heavyweight G.O.A.T. However, arguments for Fedor Emelianenko will endure. UG, after Saturday night, who is your all-time MMA heavyweight G.O.A.T., and why?