One of the most important heavyweight title bouts in UFC history goes down on Saturday in Las Vegas as champion Stipe Miocic defends against light heavyweight king Daniel Cormier.
The main event of UFC 226 at T-Mobile Arena is guaranteed to alter history as Miocic looks to cement himself with a fourth title defense as the greatest heavyweight champion the promotion has known while Cormier, looks to become only the second to hold fighter two titles simultaneously.
CBS Sports will be with you for every punch, kick and submission attempt on Saturday night with our live blog below. If you are having trouble viewing the blog, please click here.
UFC 226 fight card/results
Stipe Miocic (c) vs. Daniel Cormier -- Heavyweight title
Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis -- Heavyweight
Paul Felder vs. Mike Perry -- Welterweight
Anthony Pettis def. Michael Chiesa via second-round submission (Armbar)
Khalil Rountree def. Gokhan Saki via first-round TKO (punches)
Paulo Costa def. Uriah Hall via second-round TKO (punches)
Raphael Assuncao def. Rob Font via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Drakkar Klose def. Lando Vannata via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Curtis Millender def. Max Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC 226 live updates
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FOR only the third time in the UFC’s 25-year history, a reigning champion will fight a reigning champion from another weight class.
Cormier (20-1), the affable light heavyweight champ, is moving up to challenge Miocic (18-2), the most accomplished heavyweight champion in UFC history, in the main event of the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view show of the summer.
“This is the ultimate thing you can do in this sport,” Cormier said. “This is the chance for both of us to prove what we can do in unique circumstances.
“Everybody wants to see this kind of fight but nobody ever actually takes the risk and does it. So let’s do it.”
Rountree shocks world with KO 0:52
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UFC 226: Miocic v Cormier 3:24
After the T-Mobile Arena cage door finally closes on this long-anticipated bout, both fighters agree we’ll finally know the identity of the biggest, baddest man in MMA.
“I know what he’s capable of doing, but it’s nothing that scares me,” Miocic said.
“Of course it’s great to get the opportunity to find out whether you’re better than another champion, because I respect Daniel a lot, and I know he respects me.
“This is the kind of fight you always wonder about.”
FULL CARD
Main Card (12pm AEST on Main Event)
Stipe Miocic (c) vs. Daniel Cormier*
Max Holloway (c) vs. Brian Ortega ** — Holloway Out, Bout Canceled
Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis
Paul Felder vs. Mike Perry
Anthony Pettis def. Michael Chiesa - via 2nd round submission
Khalil Rountree Jr. def. Gokhan Saki - via 1st round KO
Prelims
Paulo Costa def. Uriah Hall - via 2nd round KO
Raphael Assuncao def. Rob Font - via decision
Drakkar Klose def. Lando Vannata - via decision
Curtis Millender def. Max Griffin - via decision
Rowdy Rousey makes history 1:21
Early Prelims (9am AEST)
Dan Hooker def. Gilbert Burns - via 1st round KO
Emily Whitmire def. Jamie Moyle - via decision
*For UFC heavyweight championship
*For UFC featherweight championship
HOW TO WATCH
Watch the Prelims on Fox Sports 501, starting at 10am (AEST).
LIVE Stream the UFC 226 Prelims on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW >
LIVE UPDATES (if you can’t see the blog; click here!)
UFC: Richie Vas joins Breanna Holden to take a closer look at all the UFC action ahead of a stacked 226 card in Las Vegas where Stipe Moicic and Daniel Cormier battle for the Heavyweight belt
MAX Holloway was forced to pull out from his highly anticipated featherweight title bout against Brian Ortega but a stacked card still awaits fight fans at UFC 226.
Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic headline the night as they square off for the heavyweight strap while Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis do battle in the same weight class in the co-main event.
Paul Felder’s welterweight battle against Mike Perry is also expected to provide plenty of highlights.
The preliminary card is scheduled to start at 10am AEST.
Fight card Main card Heavyweight Stipe Miocic (18-2) vs Daniel Cormier (20-1) Heavyweight Francis Ngannou (11-2) vs Derrick Lewis (19-5) Welterweight Paul Felder (15-3) vs Mike Perry (11-3) Lightweight Anthony Pettis (20-7) defeated Michael Chiesa (14-3) via TKO (submission, triangle choke), second round (0:52) Light heavyweight Khalil Rountree Jr (7-3) defeated Gokhan Saki (1-1) via TKO (punches), second round Prelims Middleweight Paulo Costa (11-0) defeated Uriah Hall (14-8) via TKO (punches), second round (2:38) Bantamweight Raphael Assuncao (26-5) defeated Rob Font (15-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3) Lightweight Drakkar Klose (8-1-1) defeats Lando Vannata (9-2-1) via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3) Welterweight Curtis Millender (16-3) defeated Max Griffin (14-5) via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3) Share
Pettis’ stunning triangle choke Former champion Anthony Pettis delivered a stunning submission from the top draw as he forced Michael Chiesa to tap out with 52 seconds left in the second round. Pettis was able to land a flush right hand on Chiesa’s jaw before executing the takedown immediately. From there he was able to get Chiesa in a triangle head lock from an underneath defensive position and then left Chiesa helpless when he took his arm away. Seconds later, Chiesa tapped out as he tried to wrestle Pettis’ feet away from his throat. Escapa de la guillotina @MikeMav22, inmediatamente @Showtimepettis busca el triángulo #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/4ojfyTR5sf — Fighting Sports Net (@FSNetwork) July 8, 2018 Share
‘Damn’ — stunning knockout in major upset Khalil Rountree just shuts down Gokhan Saki with a first round knockout. Damn#UFC226 — Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 8, 2018 Khalil Rountree sprung a stunning upset with a one-punch TKO. Rountree dropped Gokhan Saki with a vicious left hand that landed right on the button. The shot was so devastating Rountree didn’t even try to follow it up, until Saki was spotted trying to get back to his feet and protect himself. It was only at that point that he ended the fight with a series of hammer fists which forced the referee to end the contest with Saki unable to protect himself on the ground. Wooooooow! 😳
Khalil Rountree Jr with a stunning first-round KO of Gokhan Saki at #UFC226 💪 pic.twitter.com/gAW8w2EsXd — #UFC226: 🏆 Miocic vs. Cormier 🏆 (@btsportufc) July 8, 2018 Share
Costa lands stunning knockout OHHHHH MYYYY!!!
COSTA FINISHES HALL OFF after a CRAZY back and forth exchange! Wow!!!#UFC226 pic.twitter.com/Xnn8A3F6i3 — UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2018 Paulo Costa sensationally recovered from a devastating hook that tagged him early in the second round to dramatically stopping Uriah Hall with a devastating TKO finish. Costa ended the fight mid-way through the second round after rocking Hall during a devastating exchange of hook shots. A costa right hand that landed across Hall’s chin dropped Hall and the referee stopped the fight before he hit the deck. It was an incredible finish after Costa dropped to his knees after eating a shot from Hall just one minute earlier/ Paulo Costa KOs Uriah Hall in the first. What a fight. Costa is a freaking beast. Adesanya said he wanted the winner last night ... what a matchup that would be. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 8, 2018 PAULO COSTA! My world! Vicious standup. What a fight. #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/9YJXLoAvX5 — Ahmar Khan (@AhmarSKhan) July 8, 2018 Holy shit 😳😳😳
Costa is just a Terminator. Like good lord 😱😱 #UFC226 — Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) July 8, 2018 Wow. Paulo Costa knocks out Uriah Hall midway through the second round. He's a scary dude. — Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) July 8, 2018 Share
Star unleashes after ‘dog act’ Strawweight Emily Whitmire unleashed over a “shady act” by a “piece of s***” after her impressive unanimous decision win over Jamie Moyle. Whitmire rounded on Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC star Vinny Magalhaes, who stepped into the Octagon as Moyle’s cornerman. Whitmire accused Magalheas of ambushing her and stabbing her in the back after working with him in the same gym only to have him work with her opponent. She accused Magalheas of giving her repeated promises he would never corner against her. She also claimed Magalheas failed to give her any notice that he would be cornering for her rival at UFC 226. She issued a foul-mouthed attack on Magalheas in the Octagon after her victory and then stepped up her personal attack in her post-fight interviews. She went on to say Magalheas can go “f*** himself” for what she believes is a very low act. She also called him a “little b****” and a “piece of s***”. “Vinny is supposed to be my teammate,” she said. “He said he wasn’t cornering against me five times. “Today I showed up, and saw him getting off the bus — he didn’t message me or anything, so he can go f*** himself.” Good on Whitmire for calling out her supposed teammate for cornering against her after telling her he wasn't. Pretty dog move imo... #UFC226 — Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) July 7, 2018 Emily Whitmire blasts Vinny Magalhaes for cornering Jamie Moyle in their fight at #UFC226:
"He can go f--k himself"
Definitely curious to hear Vinny's response to that one. — Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 7, 2018 Aight then #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/8nLtSFSKog — RC Woodley (@RaceCardWoodley) July 7, 2018 I saw Vinny this AM and asked him about that. He said it was a bit weird but Jamie has been a student of his since she was a white belt so his allegiances were with her. https://t.co/htEKdd73hl — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 7, 2018 Following her win at #UFC226, Emily Whitmire (@WhitmireMMAMMA) explains her harsh words toward teammate Vinny Magalhães pic.twitter.com/hXlLtiyBTk — FanSided MMA (@FanSidedMMA) July 8, 2018 Share
Hooker’s cold-blooded KO Dan Hooker rounded off the early prelims with a devastating knockout of Gilbert Burns in the first round of their lightweight bout. Hooker dropped Burns with a right hook then followed that up with a left that sent him crashing to the canvas and it was all over for the Brazilian. Hooker eats the right hand and then just DROPS Burns with the left! Wow!#UFC226 @DanTheHangman pic.twitter.com/CWRVdbe1kj — UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2018 “I smell blood in the top 10,” Hooker said. “I smell blood in that division and I’m coming for them.” The Kiwi now has four straight finishes in the UFC. Dan Hooker just spoke to the media backstage at #UFC226. He was upset that his KO win over Gilbert Burns was so "easy." Like, legitimately upset. Said he expected more. What a guy. — Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) July 8, 2018 Share
It’s finally here.
International Fight Week 2018 concludes with the most anticipated UFC pay-per-view of the year. The main event is a rare champ vs. champ superfight between heavyweight king Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight titleholder Daniel Cormier. Either Miocic extends his record for most consecutive title defenses, or Cormier joins Conor McGregor as the only simultaneous two-division champions in UFC history.
Sadly, the featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega is off, as Holloway was pulled from the event due to concussion-like symptoms. Heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou now take co-main event honors, while Drakkar Klose vs. Lando Vannata has been bumped up to FS1’s prelims, and Paul Felder vs. Mike Perry goes from the FS1 prelims to the PPV main card.
This is still a fantastic looking show, and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas should be rocking for UFC 226.
Here’s the lineup and start times for tonight’s fights:
Main Card (10 PM ET, PPV)
Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier
Derrick Lewis vs. Francis Ngannou
Paul Felder vs. Mike Perry
Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis
Gokhan Saki vs. Khalil Rountree
Preliminary Card (8 PM ET, FS1)
Uriah Hall vs. Paulo Henrique Costa
Raphael Assuncao vs. Rob Font
Drakkar Klose vs. Lando Vannata
Max Griffin vs. Curtis Millender
Preliminary Card (7 PM ET, Fight Pass)
Daniel Hooker vs. Gilbert Burns
Jamie Moyle vs. Emily Whitmire
