Stipe Miocic played his cards well in 2019. Despite many criticizing and questioning his approach to campaign for an immediate title shot rematch against then-champ Daniel Cormier, Miocic (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) stuck to his guns and left 2019 with a belt around his waist. Having broken the record for most UFC title defenses at heavyweight, the 37-year-old Cleveland native entered his UFC 226 main event bout with Cormier as the most dominant and successful heavyweight champion in the company’s history. On that 2018 summer night in Anaheim, Calif., things couldn’t have gone much worse for the baddest man on the planet. Miocic was knocked out by Cormier in the first round.
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