It is finally here, the long-awaited trilogy for the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Championship of the World between (C) Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier. The rubber match for the gold and the claim to the moniker of Greatest Heavyweight Of All Time is on the line and should fuel an already stoked fire as two of the best to ever do it, do it one last time. What is left to say about this fight? Not much. It’s all been said, we know what to expect, and these two will deliver. CAGE SIDE PICK: Daniel Cormier
In the co-main event, it is a huge moment for the #SUGASHOW starring Sean O’Malley in his toughest test to date against Marlon “Chito” Vera. O’Malley seemingly has been anointed as the next big thing, and so far he has been right on schedule for his impending superstardom, especially in the pandemic era, where star-power is a bit lacking, and the stage is set for a new fighter to grab the reigns and lead the UFC into this next evolution. O’Malley seems primed to fill the role, however, Vera is not someone to be taken lightly. He comes across for this fight with a chip on his shoulder because he has been placed in the role of the “B-Side” fighter, and doesn’t seem to like the disrespect of being second fiddle to anyone. Vera can upset the apple cart with a big win tonight, and end the hype surrounding O’Malley as long as he fights smart. He needs to get inside and rip the body and try to break O’Malley from the top down while making sure he doesn’t land on the wrong end of a big punch from Suga! If Vera can stay focused and work his defense, he does present legitimate problems for O’Malley who will be looking to finish and finish quickly on his feet. Vera needs to take him to the 3rd and wear him down. CAGE SIDE PICK: Marlon “Chito” Vera in the upset.
Prelims will air on ESPN and ESPN+, followed by the Main Card at 10:00 Exclusively on ESPN+PPV
Prelims: ESPN – ESPN+
Kai Kamaka III vs Tony Kelley
- Round 1 – Kamaka 10 Kelley 9
- Round 2 – Kamaka 09 Kelley 10
- Round 3 – Kamaka 09 Kelley 10
- My Score Kamaka 28 Kelley 29
- Official Result: 29-28 x 3 Kamaka def. Kelley
Chris Daukaus vs Parker Porter
- Round 1 –
- Round 2 –
- Round 3
- Official Result: Daukaus TKO’s Porter at 4:28 of round 1
Livinha Souza vs Ashley Yoder
- Round 1 – Souza 10 Yoder 9
- Round 2 – Souza 10 Yoder 9
- Round 3 – Souza 09 Yoder 10
- My Score -Souza 29 Yoder 28
- Official Result: 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 Souza def. Yoder
T.J. Brown vs Danny Chavez
- Round 1 – Brown 09 Chavez 10
- Round 2 – Brown 09 Chavez 10
- Round 3 – Brown 10 Chavez 09
- My Score – Brown 28 Chavez 29
- Official Result: 29-28 x 3 Chavez def. Brown
Felice Herrig vs Virna Jandiroba
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Official Result: Jandiroba def Herrig at 1:44 of round 1 via submission (armbar) 1st time Herrig has been finished in her career.
Jim Miller vs Vinc Pichel
- Round 1 – Miller 10 Pichel 09
- Round 2 – Miller 09 Pichel 10
- Round 3 – Miller 09 Pichel 10
- My Score -Miller 28 Pichel 29
- Official Result: 29-28, 29-28, 29-27 Pichel def. Miller
Main Card: 10:00 p.m ESPN+ PPV
John Dodson vs Merab Dvalishvili
- Round 1 – Dodson 09 Dvalishvili 10
- Round 2 – Dodson 09 Dvalishvili 10
- Round 3 – Dodson 09 Dvalishvili 10
- My Score -Dodson 27 Dvalishvili 30
- Official Result: 30-27 x 3 Dvalishvili def. Dodson
Herbert Burns vs Daniel Pineda
- Round 1 – Burns 09 Pineda 10
- Round 2 –
- Round 3 –
- Official Result: Pineda def. Burns via TKO at 4:37 of rd 2
Junior Dos Santos vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
- Round 1 – Dos Santos 10 Rozenstruik 09
- Round 2 –
- Round 3
- Official Result: Rozenstruik def. Dos Santos via TKO at 3:47 of rd 2
Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera
- Round1 –
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Official Result: Vera TKO’s O’Malley at 4:40 of rd 1
Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier
- Round 1 – Miocic 09 Cormier 10
- Round 2 – Miocic 10 Cormier 09
- Round 3 – Miocic 10 Cormier 09
- Round 4 – Miocic 09 Cormier 10
- Round 5 – Miocic 10 Cormier 09
- Official Result: 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 Miocic def. Cormier
The main event was disappointing. It was a clinch battle with some striking mixed in. Cormier abandoned his wrestling after the 1st round, and it changed the entire fight. Miocic was more than happy to pin Cormier against the octagon. While they both were a little more controlled in their approach, it seemed lackluster other than a few moments of explosions by both men that were far and few between.
Cormier was bitter post-fight after an uncalled foul (eye-poke) blinded him and referee Marc Goddard ignored the plea from Cormier about it. A bitter pill to swallow for Cormier who didn’t perform at the level he could have. Another wrestler who fell in love with his striking acumen and cost himself an opportunity to end his career with gold around his waist.
Miocic for his part did just enough to win. While two judges had it 4-1 for Miocic, the fight was much closer than that. Miocic didn’t pull away as the dominant champion that many say he is, he still reigns atop the division, and a target is on his back. With numerous hungry fighters coming for him including the perceived next in line Francis Ngannou who lost in his only title shot against Miocic, and Curtis Blaydes who will absolutely put Miocic on his back if given the opportunity to fight for the title.
Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones tweeted immediately after the fight stating “Heavyweight World Championships I will be seeing you soon. Victorious.”
Dana White did say that he had been talking with Jones about his next fight, and Jones ve Miocic makes all the sense in the world for everyone involved.
Chito Vera ended Sean O’Malley’s undefeated streak by working him over and not fighting afraid. He was checking kicks from O’Malley which caused a repeat of an injury suffered vs Andre Soukhamthath. Vera seized the moment and finished O’Malley with a ground and pound TKO that he isn’t getting the credit he deserves from many fans and some of the media. The #ChitoShow was the biggest winner of the night, and Vera now puts himself in a position to be in the title conversation after taking the hype and the 0 from O’Malley. Just like in the movie Highlander with the Quickening after killing your foe you take their power and Vera accomplished that tonight!
Solid card, some so-so fights, but I don’t care about a few fights being a lil blah, because I am grateful that Dana and the UFC continue to provide the world with entertainment on a weekly basis, and the world needs that distraction from the mess it is on a daily.
Christopher James has been in the MMA industry for 15 years, Working as a ring announcer for promotions like the XFC, Island Fights, Combat Night and Fight Nights Global during his career. Chris’ love for the sport and the athletes that partake in it led him to writing and doing face to face interviews with the athletes he admired and respected. Chris isn’t conventional by any stretch of the imagination, he has his own style, and takes pride in not being a “cookie-cutter” member of the media. Unique and sometimes controversial takes are what he brings to the table, forcing folks to think a little differently about the world of MMA. He also has a love for music as he has been a dj for 25 years and his love for music gets brought to the MMA world when he gets his guests to sing on his weekly show Cage Side with Christopher James which can be seen Wednesday nights on FACEBOOK LIVE, and soon via podcast.