Prior to UFC 226, Stipe Miocic was on his way to become the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time. He had already piled up more consecutive UFC title defences than anyone else in the history of the division.
But his journey was cut short by Daniel Cormier, who became only the second man to hold the belts in two UFC divisions simultaneously.
Miocic may still have a strong case in the heavyweight GOAT conversation, but the newly crowned, “Champ Champ” thinks its his long time training partner Cain Velasquez who is the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time.
“The reason the fight was so easy today was because for the last 8 weeks I’ve been getting beat up by Cain Velasquez,” Cormier said of his preparation for Miocic at the UFC 226 post-fight press conference. “He’s still the best, man. He’s the best heavyweight the UFC has ever seen. He does things that you just don’t expect somebody to do. Still, outta shape, he comes in here and does three or four rounds with me – and I’m exhausted.”
A two time champ Velasquez’s career has been riddled with injuries. Holding notable victories over Brock Lesnar, Junior Das Santos and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Velasquez last fought in the Octagon at UFC 200, where he made short work of Travis Browne in the very first round.
Cormier also said Velasquez was immensely proud of his championship feat at UFC 226 and, when asked if he would ever square off with his teammate for the heavyweight title, told reporters that he wouldn’t even consider the idea.
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UFC: Stipe Miocic reacts to his loss to Daniel Cormier in a classy way