FIRST, we saw one of the most boring fights in UFC history.
The, Daniel Cormier made history of his own. And, that’s all before Brock Lesnar joined the party.
That’s right, after Cormier’s impressive first round knockout of Stipe Miocic — gifting him the Heavyweight title — he decided to call out Lesnar, who recently made his return to the WWE.
“Listen to DC,” Cormier told the crowd, after his win at UFC 226.
“There’s a guy that I’ve known for a long time. He’s a wrestler. He’s an All-American. He’s a former UFC Champion. I never thought I would fight him, but Brock Lesnar, get your a** in here.”
DC stuns Miocic with epic KO! 1:27
Cormier was riding a confidence high, after an unlikely knockout of Miocic, with the 39-year-old the first person in UFC history with possession of both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight titles.
So, after a post-fight spectacle that began with Cormier yelling, “I’m a two-division champion, baby”, it took Lesnar storming the octagon to quickly change the narrative.
Lesnar pushed a title-laden Cormier, before speaking to the crowd, himself.
“Let me tell you something,” Lesnar said. “I walked into this building and watched a heavyweight disaster from the beginning. Ngannou’s a piece of s***. Miocic, the piece of sh***. DC, I’m coming for you, motherf*****”
Rountree shocks world with KO 0:52
Costa topples Hall with TKO 1:07
T-Mobile Arena erupted in a chorus of both cheers and boos, and it seems as though we have our next heavyweight battle.
LEWIS DEFEATS NGANNOU IN ‘ONE OF THE WORST HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHTS I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE’
The ending to the evening was a somewhat welcome change from what we saw in the co-main event, with some relatively strong words coming from Joe Rogan, regarding the fight between Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis.
Ngannou and Lewis entered UFC 226 as two of the most feared heavyweights in the sport, but left the card having just completed the most uneventful fights in history.
View results from the entire card below!
Both fighters are known for their knockout power, but the cautiousness of both men led to a fight where there was very little engagement; both heavyweights on their back foot.
Derrick came away with the win via unanimous decision, but the blame was placed on both fighters for such an actionless bout.
Ngannou threw a total of 46 strikes, connecting on 11, while Lewis threw just 54, connecting on 20. To put that in perspective, Daniel Cormier — known for his ground game — threw 45 strikes in less than one round, in his victory over Miocic.
Naturally, the wider sports community wasn’t impressed with the co
Let Brock slap Ngannou around right now. I demand satisfaction! — Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) July 8, 2018
The best blow in the co-main event comes from @joerogan “he doesn’t need a trainer, he needs a sports psychologist.” #UFC226 #Lewis wins the decision over #Ngannou in a fight where I burned more calories than both fighters combined by getting up & going to the bathroom. https://t.co/gu9X7NDZVa — Dan Hill (@hillimpact) July 8, 2018
I agree with Rogan. That was the worst heavyweight fight I have ever seen. Ngannou looked scared to throw or take a punch. This guy was a beast for the last two years. — Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) July 8, 2018
That sucked. We can all agree on that. I want to hear from Francis Ngannou. What happened? Pretty clear Derrick Lewis' back hurt, but what happened to Ngannou. That division is better with scary Ngannou. I hope he's not gone. — Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 8, 2018
Lewis over Ngannou one of worst @ufc “fights” I’ve ever watched. Embarrassing. Turrible. — Dennis Manoloff (@dmansworld474) July 8, 2018
Stock majorly down for both Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis.
There's no way of sugar coating this one. That was absolute garbage. — Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) July 8, 2018
Francis Ngannou vs Derrick Lewis was so bad that the commentators were saying go on fight pass to watch them actually fight. #UFC226 — emiliosparks (@emiliosparks) July 8, 2018
UFC 226: Miocic v Cormier 3:24
FULL CARD
Main Card
Daniel Cormier (new champion) def Stipe Miocic - via KO
Derrick Lewis def. Francis Ngannou - via decision
Mike Perry def. Paul Felder - via split decision
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
Early Prelims
Dan Hooker def. Gilbert Burns - via 1st round KO
Emily Whitmire def. Jamie Moyle - via decision
*For UFC heavyweight championship
*For UFC featherweight championship
RE-LIVE (if you can’t see the blog; click here!)
Join us today on Bloody Elbow for live results, discussion, round scoring, and play-by-play as UFC 226 goes down in Las Vegas.
The main event is a superfight, with heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic putting his belt on the line against light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.
The co-main was supposed to be a featherweight title fight, but will now feature fellow heavyweights with Francis Ngannou facing off with Derrick Lewis.
This post will cover the main card. The show will kick off with two Fight Pass fights starting at 7pm ET. Then things will move to FS1 for the televised prelims for four more fights starting at 8pm ET. Then we will cover the main card, which kicks off at 10pm ET. The prelims are covered on a separate post.
Check out this week’s MMA Vivisection for predictions, analysis and betting odds on the each matchup.
Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier
Round 1 - Miocic walking DC down. Overhand right. Cormier trying to clinch but can’t. Cormier with an outside leg kick, Miocic with an inside leg kick. Cormier with a looping punch that lands. They get into a grappling situation. Miocic lands a couple of punches on a prone DC. Knee from Stipe in the clinch. Another knee as they separate. Cormier with a right. Miocic with a jab. Miocic pushes him back and lands a knee. Left jab and a leg kick from Cormier. Left lead elbow from Stipe. Cormier fires back. They’re going now! Inside leg kick and an...eyepoke from Cormier. Miocic doesn’t need much time though. Miocic with a right. They trade in the middle. Cormier drops Miocic in close with a right hook right on the chin! MIOCIC IS DOWN! DC lights him up on the ground! WE HAVE A NEW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!
Daniel Cormier defeated Stipe Miocic via KO (punches), 4:33 of round 1
Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis
Round 1 - Long feel out stage to start. Lewis misses with a head kick. Ngannou keeps switching to southpaw but he’s not throwing anything. Lewis with a head kick again and it lands. A switch kick now! Blocked though. Ngannou hasn’t thrown a strike and we’re halfway through the round. The fans are razzing them. Body kick from Lewis and he tries to clinch. Ngannou just throws him off. Finally a weak body jab from Ngannou. He’s walking Lewis down but is not throwing a damn thing. Lewis with another switch kick. Total nothing round. 10-9 Lewis.
Round 2 - Lewis is feinting. Ngannou is reacting but not firing. This is ridiculous so far. Now Ngannou is feinting. I wish I had more to type here but there is literally nothing happening over the first three minutes. They’re staring at each other and feinting. It’s almost a spectacle in itself because it’s so strange. Herb Dean is actually warning them for timidity. That’s how bad this is. Ngannou finally lands a jab. Lewis with a body kick. Another jab from Ngannou that cuts Lewis slightly. Body kick from Lewis. This is truly awful. 10-9 Lewis.
Round 3 - Guess what’s happening? If you guessed nothing, you’d be correct. Lewis with a head kick that got blocked. Ngannou is straight not fighting, and Lewis isn’t sure what to do. Lewis with a leg kick. Lewis actually cracks Ngannou with a left. That’s the first flush punch of the fight. 13 minutes in. Seriously. Ngannou with a short left. Now Lewis is sort of begging off. He lands a body kick. Ngannou with a left. He’s actually fighting now! Sort of. Lewis with a leg kick. Another body kick from Lewis. Ngannou with a takedown and a strike after the horn. I’m sorry to those of you reading this. I’m sorrier that I had to watch that. 10-9 and 30-27 Lewis.
Derrick Lewis defeated Francis Ngannou via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Paul Felder vs. Mike Perry
Round 1 - They clashed heads right away and Felder is bleeding. Perry got cut off of it too. Never seen that before. Perry lands a hard elbow and then some body shots in the clinch. They separate. Felder with a hard overhand lead right. Perry whiffs on a big punch but lands an elbow. Perry with a counter right. They’re throwing. Perry spins. He lands hard to the body. Felder spins now. Good round. 10-9 Perry.
Round 2 - Felder clinches. Perry scoops him up - way up - and slams him to the floor. Felder gets up but eats a big elbow in the clinch. They separate. They stand and trade in the middle for a while, with neither gaining an advantage. Perry lands a big peft hook that opens a HUGE cut above Felder’s right eye. The fight is immediately stopped so the doc can check it, but he deems it good to go. Perry presses and slams Felder to the mat. There’s a looot of blood. Felder pops up and Perry clubs him with shots. Felder is game, and they trade elbows. 10-9 Perry.
Round 3 - Perry with a lead left that backs Felder off. Felder is spinning with an apparently injured arm. Perry with an uppercut. Felder with a body shot. Perry goes to the body. Nice step-in knee from Felder. Body kick from Felder. The entire right side of Felder is coated with blood. Perry with a front kick. Felder with a spinning high kick but it’s blocked. Body shots for both. Perry is in on a double. He switches to a single but can’t get it. He holds on though, and lands some knees to the butt from behind. Nasty knees to the thigh area. Felder spins out and they re-engage in the middle. They throw down till the horn. 10-9 and 30-27 Perry.
Mike Perry defeated Paul Felder via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis
Round 1 - Pettis with a quick left. Chiesa catches a kick and puts Pettis on his back. Chiesa looks for an arm and Pettis scrambles back to his feet. He stuffs an immediate shot. Chiesa perseveres and gets Pettis ack down though. Pettis lands a shot on the way up and Chiesa winces. Chopping leg kick from Pettis. Another. Naked straight right from Pettis lands. Chiesa ends up on his bac and Pettis lands a shot. He gets up quickly. Pettis just misses with a spin kick. Chiesa went down at the end of the round but it was just a tangling of feet. 10-9 Chiesa.
Round 2 - Pettis lands a hard right and jumps in with a knee and Chiesa goes down! I’m not sure if it caught him or what. Pettis falls back for a guillotine but Chiesa pops out. He adjusts outside to a triangle and snatches an arm! He has an armbar dead to rights and Chiesa had to tap! WOW!
Anthony Pettis defeated Michael Chiesa via submission (armbar), :52 of round 2
Gokhan Saki vs. Khalil Rountree
Round 1 - Saki lands kicks to the body leg and body. Rountee is circling away. Rountree with a straight left and Saki is down! He unloads with massive GnP and this is over. Rountree beat a world champion kickboxer on the feet!
Khalil Rountree defeated Gokhan Saki via KO (strikes), 1:36 of round 1
UFC: Khalil Rountree shocks the world by knocking out kickboxing legend Gokhan Saki with one brutal punch, 90 seconds into their bout at UFC 226.
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 delivered an unforgettable moment of UFC history when he became a dual world champion across two weight divisions with a stunning TKO finish of Stipe Miocic.
Before the third-ever showdown between two reigning UFC champions, the sport suffered a black eye when Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis delivered one of the worst fights the UFC has ever seen.
The abysmal contest between Ngannou and Lewis was a complete reversal from the rest of the undercard which saw an incredible spree of knockouts and stoppages.
The UFC announced after the main event bouts that they wouldbe handing out four $50,000 bonuses for exceptional performances, but would not be handing out a bonus for fight of the night.
Cormier, Paulo Costa, Khalil Rountree and Mike Perry all received bonus payments for their impressive stoppages.
Fight card Main card Heavyweight Daniel Cormier (20-1) defeated Stipe Miocic (18-2) via knockout, first round (4:33) Heavyweight Derrick Lewis (19-5) defeated Francis Ngannou (11-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Welterweight Mike Perry (11-3) defeated Paul Felder (15-3) via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) 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
Cormier calls out Brock Lesnar, UFC confirms mega-showdown Brock Lesnar storms the Octagon and pushes Daniel Cormier 😱
This heavyweight title fight is going to be craaaazy! #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/zrYOwOhaCo — #UFC226: 🏆 Miocic vs. Cormier 🏆 (@btsportufc) July 8, 2018 Brock Lesnar sensationally stormed the UFC Octagon after being called out by Daniel Cormier. The new two-division world champion took the microphone and called out Lesnar in the minutes after his stunning knockout of Stipe Miocic. “Listen to DC,” Cormier told the crowd, after his win at UFC 226. “There’s a guy that I’ve known for a long time. He’s a wrestler. He’s an All-American. He’s a former UFC Champion. I never thought I would fight him, but Brock Lesnar, get your a** in here.” Lesnar walked into the Octagon and shoved Cormier before UFC officials were able to separate them. “Stipe (Miocic) is a piece of s***,” Lesnar said. “Daniel Cormier, I’m coming for you motherf***er.” Cormier responded: “Push me now, (and) you’re going to sleep later,” Cormier yelled at Lesnar. “Your days are in the past. In the stone age.” UFC boss Dana White confirmed after the fight that Lesnar will make his return to the Octagon — bit it could be a strustrating wait for fans. White said the promotion has entered Lesnar into the USADA drug-testing program and will have to wait six months before he can be cleared as a clean fighter. Dana White confirms Daniel Cormier will fight Brock Lesnar next. Dana says Lesnar was 'all fired up' at the fight tonight.
No date determined yet for the fight. #UFC226 — Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 8, 2018 Cormier and Lesnar going wild in the Octagon. Cormier is going to become the WWE Universal champion next. LMAO #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/eCJ7BI6uXk — Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) July 8, 2018 This is absolute bananas. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 8, 2018 Share
Cormier stuns the world to cement spot ‘as greatest of all time’ Might be one of my favourite UFC moments ever #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/5bsPiycXly — Amy (@AmyMMA) July 8, 2018 UFC star Dominic Cruz said — the second Stipe Miocic was knocked out cold — that Daniel Cormier has cemented his spot as “one of the greatest of all time”. Nobody can argue with that any more. Cormier delivered one of the most emphatic victories the UFC has produced in recent memory when he rocked former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic with a stunning hook. The referee stopped the contest with just 27 seconds left in the first round. Cormier was then able to finish the fight with a series of hammer fists as Miocic struggled, stunned on the canvass. Another view. 4:33 seconds first round by knock out! Congrats @dc_mma #cormier #ufc226 pic.twitter.com/ozEQKxxWbu — Geechi (@meuysinh) July 8, 2018 Cormier’s victory has seen him win the heavyweight crown alongside his light-heavyweight crown. UFC commentator Joe Rogan said Cormier’s result was “beyond crazy” and “stunning”. There was instant euphoria for Cormier, who was glowing in his post-fight interviews and referenced his defeat to Jon Jones 12 months ago. None of his ugly rivalry with Jones appeared to matter when Cormier stood on top of the UFC Octagon with his two championship belts. Cormier had been warned by the referee for an eye-poke earlier in the round, but when the fighting resumed there can be no questioning his method for ending the fight. He stunned Miocic after breaking away from an underhook hold and landing a clean right hook. It was the hook that created history and saw him become just the second ever UFC star to hold two title belts at the same time. Cormier (21-1, 1 no-contest) flattened the UFC’s long-reigning heavyweight champ with a right elbow out of a clinch. He finished Miocic (18-3) on the ground with 27 seconds left in the round by landing several shots to the defenseless champion’s head. Conor McGregor was the UFC’s featherweight champ in 2016 when he took the lightweight title from Eddie Alvarez. “I was a heavyweight for a long time, and I left the division,” Cormier said. “I never knew what I could become, but tonight I got the answer. I’m a two-division champion, baby!” The 39-year-old Cormier has never lost to anyone except Jon Jones, the star-crossed former light heavyweight champion who beat him twice. Daniel Cormier is now the GOAT ... and it’s incredible that he is/will become more of The People’s Champion when he face Lesnar. From watching DC get booed at pressers in 2016 to this ... congratulations DC ... #UFC226 — Eric Winter (@elwinter) July 8, 2018 OH MY DC!!! 😱
Daniel Cormier with a devastating first-round knockout of Stipe Miocic to become the UFC heavyweight champion 🏆
Simply incredible. Simply historic. #UFC226 pic.twitter.com/MLwuBgojCD — #UFC226: 🏆 Miocic vs. Cormier 🏆 (@btsportufc) July 8, 2018 .@dc_mma is the goat. Undefeated 2 division champ! 21-0! ufc226 — Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) July 8, 2018 Holy shit. What a KO @dc_mma #UFC226 — Chris Tickle (@badboytickle) July 8, 2018 H I S T O R Y#UFC226 pic.twitter.com/UxjlCQDSw8 — UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2018 Daniel Cormier is incredible because he currently possesses more UFC title belts than abs — Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) July 8, 2018 Daniel Cormier is the first man to defeat Stipe Miocic since 2014.
This was also only the third time in Miocic's UFC career that he absorbed more significant strikes than he landed. #UFC226 — MMA By The Numbers (@NumbersMMA) July 8, 2018 Share
UFC erupts over pathetic co-main event flop Referee Herb Dean wedged himself between Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis and threatened to start taking points off them if they didn’t start having a go. The Las Vegas crowd booed both fighters at the end of the first two rounds as two of the best-known killers in the heavyweight division turned on a deplorable snooze-fest that angered the entire UFC. Lewis was eventually awarded the victory via a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). According to the boo’s and heckling from fans and commenators — they both lost. Commentator Joe Rogan declared late in the second round it was “insane” that Ngannou had landed just two strikes. Rogan said this would be the “most boring heavyweight decision in UFC history”. The fight was on track to create a record for the least number of strikes landed in UFC history. The record was set at 23 strikes across a three-round fight, but with one-minute to go the Ngannou-Lewis stats sheet showed just 20 strikes landed. “That’s the worst heavyweight fight I’ve ever seen,” Rogan said. “This is crazy to see this from the guy (Ngannou) we thought was the most terrifying fighter we’d seen in a long time. “It’s disgraceful. It looks like he’s running away. “He doesn’t need a trainer, he needs a sports psychologist.” The UFC took the extraordinary step of not even bothering to interview the two fighters after the fight. Stock majorly down for both Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis.
There's no way of sugar coating this one. That was absolute garbage. — Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) July 8, 2018 That sucked. We can all agree on that. I want to hear from Francis Ngannou. What happened? Pretty clear Derrick Lewis' back hurt, but what happened to Ngannou. That division is better with scary Ngannou. I hope he's not gone. — Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 8, 2018 I noticed that @brucebuffer only said “after 3 rounds”, not “after 3 rounds of fighting”. Yes, they are fighters but they are also entertainers. People paying good money to watch. #UFC226 #UFC #MMA — Marcus Kowal (@MarcusKowal) July 8, 2018 I’m guessing @danawhite is going to be more than just a little pissed about that fight. What a dreadful display that was. #UFC226 — Bob Stelton (@BobStelton) July 8, 2018 I can’t believe how bad that Fight just was. Am I the only one sitting here thinking that match fixing was involved !!?!? That was diabolical !!! #ufc226 — Cj Gameiro (@CoreyGameiro) July 8, 2018 Mercifully, it's over. Utterly shocking performances by Ngannou and Lewis. Francis is holding his hands up in victory. Can't see any way you give that to him. Derrick didn't do much, but he did less. #UFC226 — Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) July 8, 2018 There’s a legit wave in the crowd now. Never seen that before at an MMA event. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 8, 2018 Share
‘Never seen so much blood’ Paul Felder survived two rounds with a broken arm, a massive golf ball welt above his eye and a sickening open cut on the side of his left eye in one of the most gruesome fights in recent memory. Mike Perry was eventually awarded a dramatic victory via a split judges decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29). Felder told his corner at the end of the second round his arm was broken, but it was the cut next to his eye that caused the most concern. The referee stopped the fight to allow a doctor to assess Felder’s wound, but the fight was allowed to continue. Despite nursing the broken arm, Felder continued to throw punches and block strikes with the broken limb. Despite his heroics, Perry was awarded the victory. Paul Felder out there fighting with an apparent broken arm and an absolutely nasty gash by his eye. Can't imagine the pain he'll be in when the adrenaline goes away. #UFC226 — Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) July 8, 2018 This is the most blood I’ve ever seen in a fight. Holy crap! #UFC226 — Matthew Coca (@MatthewCocaCBS) July 8, 2018 My goodness. So much blood. Felder heads back to the corner and motions to the fans. I think he likes this. #UFC226 — Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) July 8, 2018 holy crap, watching that wound open is something else. If this goes much further, the producers of Face/Off will be owed a tiny royalty. #ufc226 — Jon Jones (@jonjones) July 8, 2018 Drenched in his own blood, hampered by a seemingly broken arm, with an alien sprouting out of his forehead, Paul Felder just kept on swinging. Incredible. Just incredible. The guts on that man. #UFC226 — Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) July 8, 2018 Can we all please take a moment and recognise how badass Paul Felder is?
Came up a weight division on a week's notice against arguably one of the hardest hitters in the WW div and broke his arm mid fight and continued to throw it throughout the rest of the fight 👏🏻👏🏻 #UFC226 — Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) July 8, 2018 👁 @PlatinumPerry lands a cutting strike#UFC226 pic.twitter.com/mZ8nO0CXQQ — UFC Aus/New Zealand (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 8, 2018 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
On Saturday night at UFC 226, Daniel Cormier will attempt to become only the fifth man to ever win titles in multiple divisions, and only the second man to ever hold those titles concurrently, when he takes on Stipe Miocic at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. The pay-per-view was also supposed to feature a featherweight title defense between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega but that fight fell off the card just days ago when Holloway’s team pulled him from the event due to medical issues. Even with that fight gone, there are still 11 fights, and that means 11 chances to make some money, so we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know for your gambling needs this Saturday.
THE FIGHTS
UFC 226, Las Vegas, Nevada, PPV (10 P.M. ET)
Stipe Miocic (-220/69%) vs. Daniel Cormier (+200/33%)
Francis Ngannou (-400/80%) vs. Derrick Lewis (+325/24%)
Paul Felder (-155/61%) vs. Mike Perry (+135/43%)
Michael Chiesa (-160/62%) vs. Anthony Pettis (+140/42%)
Gokhan Saki (-130/57%) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (+110/48%)
FS1 Prelims (8 P.M. ET)
Uriah Hall (+325/24%) vs. Paulo Costa (-400/80%)
Raphael Assuncao (-170/63%) vs. Rob Font (+150/40%)
Lando Vannata (-185/65%) vs. Drakkar Klose (+160/38%)
Curtis Millender (-165/62%) vs. Max Griffin (+145/41%)
UFC Fight Pass Early Prelims (7 P.M. ET)
Dan Hooker (-120/55%) vs. Gilbert Burns (+100/50%)
Jamie Moyle (-190/66%) vs. Emily Whitmire (+165/38%)
THE BETS
Cormier at +200
As one of the only true superfights in MMA history, this fight has been analyzed from every possible angle. I don’t have too much to add to basically any of that except to say, Daniel Cormier is one of the 10 best fighters ever and competes in a better weight class than Stipe Miocic. He is also most definitely the best fighter Miocic has ever fought. That’s not to say that Stipe won’t win - he’s bigger, he hits harder, and he’s outstandingly durable - but Cormier can put more effective pressure on Miocic than Werdum did, and in the clinch, he should be able to control Stipe, take him down, and win the fight.
I’m willing to believe my prejudice against Miocic is coloring my pick here (I think Stipe is great but I also think he benefits enormously from competing in an absurdly bad division populated primarily by well-past-their-prime stars), but at the end of the day, I think Cormier wins more often than he loses this one so give me +200 all day. Also, Cormier by decision at +450 is equally as enticing given Stipe’s durability.
Lewis at +325
This is a simple one: Francis Ngannou has superior hand speed and, if it stays at range, should bust up Lewis over the course of 15 minutes. But Ngannou is also still fairly raw and Lewis has been adept at finding ways to end up on top and if he does so against Ngannou, the former heavyweight title challenger is in for a much worse night than Miocic gave him from top position. Ngannou a righteous favorite but this line is a bit out of whack considering “The Black Beast” is durable enough to take Ngannou’s bombs and does have a simple enough path to victory. Throw a few dollars down on Lewis or, if you’re feeling extra spicey, on the Fight Goes To A Decision prop at +385 or Ngannou By Decision at +545.
Perry at +135
Mike Perry is destined to be perennially underrated as a result of his personality (and his face tattoos) but love him or hate him, “Platinum” is one of the most talented welterweights in the world. At only 26 years old, and not even four full years into his career, Perry already gave Santiago Ponzinibbio (at worst, one of the five best welterweights on the planet) everything he could handle. Perry’s biggest issues are a lack of defense and, frequently, a lack of a coherent game plan other than punch stupid hard. Fortunately, Perry finally left his team in Florida and relocated to one of the best camps in the world, Jackson-Wink. I expect Greg Jackson and the boys will do wonders with the raw athleticism of Perry and shore up a lot of his weaknesses.
Felder is a talented fighter and the more skilled guy but he is also making a last-minute adjustment, moving up a weight class, and prone to complete lapses in the cage that have set him back before. It’s totally possible Felder just piles up points with combinations and wins a decision but it’s also pretty likely that Perry clubs him. Maybe I’m way off on this but it feels like a pick ‘em fight so take the free value on Perry.
Saki by KO/TKO at +105
This is fairly straightforward: Gokhan Saki is a dramatically better striker than Khalil Rountree Jr. and Rountree has never so much as attempted a takedown in his five fights in the UFC. Perhaps even more damning, Rountree is all explosion and frequently gasses himself out in the first round. Maybe Rountree changes things up and starts firing off double legs but the overwhelmingly likely outcome in this fight is Saki and Rountree throwing hands until one of them falls down, and if Tyrone Spong, Peter Aerts, Melvin Manhoef and a host of other kickboxers couldn’t get Saki out of there, I have little faith in Rountree to do so. Saki straight is a perfectly reasonable bet but considering Rountree’s cardio issues, getting him at plus-money for a finish is a freaking steal.
Assuncao at -170
Like Mike Perry, Raphael Assuncao is also destined to be forever underrated, not because of his personality but because of his lack of one. Assuncao is a lunch-pail worker who has done essentially nothing but win in the UFC and yet he’s only marginally closer to a title shot than you are because the UFC has less than zero interest in seeing him win a title. Since dropping down to bantamweight, Assuncao has only lost once, to current champion T.J. Dillashaw, a man he also has a win over. Rob Font is certainly a good fighter but he’s just not as good as Assuncao who should be able to take this fight to the floor and dominate with grappling. Assuncao at anything less than -200 is nice value.
THE REST
Main Card
Chiesa vs. Pettis is interesting because Pettis should be a better fighter than Chiesa except for the fact that he hasn’t looked like the good version of “Showtime” in years at this point. Chiesa has the grappling chops to win this but his vulnerability to the body and Pettis’ excellent kicking game makes things interesting.
FS1 Prelims
Wow, Paulo Costa sure is handsome; shouldn’t be that big a favorite though. He’s going to win but Hall is the exact kind of guy that should keep a line down because he might haul off and do something incredible.
Fight Pass Prelims
Gilbert Burn vs. Dan Hooker should be a pick ‘em fight. Burns is an elite level grappler and his striking has come on for real. Hooker is a good prospect but this is an extremely close fight. If Burns drops any lower, jump on it.
That’s all for this week. If you have any questions or just want to let me know what action you’re on, get at me on Twitter @JedKMeshew. Good luck and enjoy the fights!
(Editor’s note: All of this advice is for entertainment purposes only.)
