Daniel Cormier vs Stipe Miocic — Fight recap

Daniel Cormier knocked out Stipe Miocic via TKO in the first round at 4:33, reclaiming the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 226. Cormier landed 25 of 37 significant strikes (67% accuracy) with a devastating 20 of 30 head strikes, securing one knockdown before referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight.

Miocic managed 24 of 51 significant strikes (47%) and completed his lone takedown attempt for 1:21 of control time, but couldn't recover from the early striking onslaught. The fight played out as a striker's clinic, with Cormier's superior striking precision and timing overwhelming Miocic's volume-based approach in the opening minutes.

The loss marked a significant setback for Miocic's heavyweight reign and set up an immediate rematch narrative in a division suddenly in flux.