Search

» » Daniel Cormier Vs. Stipe Miocic: The Good And Bad Things About The Champion Vs. Champion Bout

Daniel Cormier Vs. Stipe Miocic: The Good And Bad Things About The Champion Vs. Champion Bout

Credit: UFC

Miocic vs. Cormier

The two men will also serve as the head coaches for the 27th season of The Ultimate Fighter. On paper, this is a spectacular fight, but there are a few reasons to temper our excitement as we consider the long-term health and integrity of the UFC and its matchmaking structure.

THE GOOD

Raises the Respect Level for Both Men

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 20: Stipe Miocic celebrates after his unanimous-decision victory over Francis Ngannou of Cameroon in their heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 220 event at TD Garden on January 20, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Both Cormier and Miocic should be first-ballot Hall of Famers, but I don't think it's a stretch to say that they're underappreciated. Just recently we have begun to hear more positive reactions from fans when it comes to Cormier. Miocic has brought unprecedented stability to the heavyweight title, but most of us–myself included–didn't give him much of a chance to beat Francis Ngannou at UFC 220.

By fighting each other, their collective appeal should lead to one of the more popular pay-per-view events of the year.

UFC 226 Could Be Enormous

Cormier vs. Miocic isn't a Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey-led card, but it's big. A champion-vs-champion attraction between the two heaviest titleholders in a promotion will almost always draw some attention. The impending retirement of Cormier also adds some intrigue. There aren't any other fights announced on the card, but you have to believe the matchmakers will try to stack the ledger.

No More Nasty Weight Cuts for Cormier

No one wants to see Cormier suffer through another nasty weight cut. At his age and with his body type, it's not healthy for him to continue to try and make 205 pounds. The last thing we need to see is him–or any other fighter–becoming seriously ill behind a weight cut.

Could This Pave The Way For a Smooth Bones Return?

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 29: Jon Jones celebrates between rounds against Daniel Cormier in their UFC light heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 214 event inside the Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Most everyone still believes Jon Jones is still the best light heavyweight in the world. I don't know that there is much interest in a third fight between him and Cormier. That said, Cormier deserves his reign and separate shine. That can't happen if he and Jones are both active in the same weight class.

If Jones is allowed to return, a Cormier-less division would present a new set of challenges before Jones presumably takes his talents to heavyweight as well. Even if Jones does bolt for heavyweight or never returns, a new era of 205ers would have to emerge.

It may take awhile, but ultimately that would be good for the promotion.

It Could Setup A Great Buildup For Miocic vs. Velasquez

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 10: Cain Velasquez speaks to the fans and media during a Q&A session prior to the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Spark Arena on June 10, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Perhaps the only legitimate heavyweight Miocic hasn't faced in his career is former champion Cain Velasquez. Cormier and Velasquez are very close. If Miocic beats Cormier, the groundwork for a very interesting battle between Stipe and Cain would be laid.

A December meeting between the two would be one of the promotion's biggest fights of the year.

5 BAD THINGS

Superfights Can Kill a Division

As intriguing as a superfight can be, they can also leave a division in shambles. The fighter moving up is less likely to return to their division. In this case, it seems fairly certain Cormier would be done at 205. I mentioned the positive possibilities for the light heavyweight division without Cormier, but there are a few bad scenarios.

if Jones doesn't come back, the next champion would likely be someone whom we've already seen match up with Jones or Cormier only to lose. If that's the case, there could be a lack of respect given to the next man up. Perhaps the UFC could do its best to push the successor, but depending on the guy, it would be a hard sell. Alexander Gustafsson is the best candidate considering he dropped debatable decisions to both men.

This is More Name-Chasing For Short-Term Satisfaction

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 20: Daniel Cormier reacts after his fight against Volkan Oezdemir in their Light Heavyweight Championship fight during UFC 220 at TD Garden on January 20, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

Some superfights take place after years of build and fan interest. This one seemed to be birthed and pushed over a matter of days. The two men have no connection and thus this matchup feels a bit forced and desperate. It's no secret the UFC didn't have favorable pay-per-view numbers in 2017.

When you group this pairing with the Cris Cyborg vs. Amanda Nunes superfight, it feels as if the UFC may be going to the well too often.

This is Almost a No-Win Situation For Miocic

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 20: Stipe Miocic sits on his stool after the fourth round of his heavyweight championship bout against Francis Ngannou during the UFC 220 event at TD Garden on January 20, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Stipe is in a tough situation. He'll likely make one of–if not his biggest–paydays yet, but from a legacy standpoint, he doesn't stand to gain as much as Cormier. If Miocic beats Cormier, it'll be a nice win, but at the end of the day, he will have beat a short light heavyweight. Cormier did compete as a heavyweight earlier in his career having won the Grand Prix in Strikeforce.

However, his glory days in the sport have come as the UFC's Light Heavyweight champion. If Cormier wins, he further cements his spot as one of the all-time greats by becoming just the second fighter to hold two titles simultaneously. Miocic doesn't have that kind of a reward waiting for him.

If he loses, it not only makes him look weak, it makes the entire heavyweight division look poor. Are the best two heavyweights in the UFC actually light heavyweights (Cormier and Jones)?

If Cormier Wins, Will He Fight Velasquez?

If Cormier becomes the heavyweight champion, his friendship with Velasquez could create a conundrum for the UFC and the division. That would seemingly be an obvious matchup for Cormier, but there would likely be apprehension on his part.

I'm not sure Velasquez would be as hesitant. Take a look at this tweet:

Still, if Cormier is unwilling or conflicted, we might run into a frustrating situation that causes fans to turn on the double champion.

 

">

On Friday, the UFC announced a colossal champion-vs-champion bout for UFC 226 during International Fight Week on July 7. UFC Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will defend his title against reigning Light Heavyweight kingpin Daniel Cormier.

Credit: UFC

Miocic vs. Cormier

The two men will also serve as the head coaches for the 27th season of The Ultimate Fighter. On paper, this is a spectacular fight, but there are a few reasons to temper our excitement as we consider the long-term health and integrity of the UFC and its matchmaking structure.

THE GOOD

Raises the Respect Level for Both Men

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 20: Stipe Miocic celebrates after his unanimous-decision victory over Francis Ngannou of Cameroon in their heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 220 event at TD Garden on January 20, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Both Cormier and Miocic should be first-ballot Hall of Famers, but I don't think it's a stretch to say that they're underappreciated. Just recently we have begun to hear more positive reactions from fans when it comes to Cormier. Miocic has brought unprecedented stability to the heavyweight title, but most of us–myself included–didn't give him much of a chance to beat Francis Ngannou at UFC 220.

By fighting each other, their collective appeal should lead to one of the more popular pay-per-view events of the year.

UFC 226 Could Be Enormous

Cormier vs. Miocic isn't a Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey-led card, but it's big. A champion-vs-champion attraction between the two heaviest titleholders in a promotion will almost always draw some attention. The impending retirement of Cormier also adds some intrigue. There aren't any other fights announced on the card, but you have to believe the matchmakers will try to stack the ledger.

No More Nasty Weight Cuts for Cormier

No one wants to see Cormier suffer through another nasty weight cut. At his age and with his body type, it's not healthy for him to continue to try and make 205 pounds. The last thing we need to see is him–or any other fighter–becoming seriously ill behind a weight cut.

Could This Pave The Way For a Smooth Bones Return?

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 29: Jon Jones celebrates between rounds against Daniel Cormier in their UFC light heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 214 event inside the Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Most everyone still believes Jon Jones is still the best light heavyweight in the world. I don't know that there is much interest in a third fight between him and Cormier. That said, Cormier deserves his reign and separate shine. That can't happen if he and Jones are both active in the same weight class.

If Jones is allowed to return, a Cormier-less division would present a new set of challenges before Jones presumably takes his talents to heavyweight as well. Even if Jones does bolt for heavyweight or never returns, a new era of 205ers would have to emerge.

It may take awhile, but ultimately that would be good for the promotion.

It Could Setup A Great Buildup For Miocic vs. Velasquez

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 10: Cain Velasquez speaks to the fans and media during a Q&A session prior to the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Spark Arena on June 10, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Perhaps the only legitimate heavyweight Miocic hasn't faced in his career is former champion Cain Velasquez. Cormier and Velasquez are very close. If Miocic beats Cormier, the groundwork for a very interesting battle between Stipe and Cain would be laid.

A December meeting between the two would be one of the promotion's biggest fights of the year.

5 BAD THINGS

Superfights Can Kill a Division

As intriguing as a superfight can be, they can also leave a division in shambles. The fighter moving up is less likely to return to their division. In this case, it seems fairly certain Cormier would be done at 205. I mentioned the positive possibilities for the light heavyweight division without Cormier, but there are a few bad scenarios.

if Jones doesn't come back, the next champion would likely be someone whom we've already seen match up with Jones or Cormier only to lose. If that's the case, there could be a lack of respect given to the next man up. Perhaps the UFC could do its best to push the successor, but depending on the guy, it would be a hard sell. Alexander Gustafsson is the best candidate considering he dropped debatable decisions to both men.

This is More Name-Chasing For Short-Term Satisfaction

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 20: Daniel Cormier reacts after his fight against Volkan Oezdemir in their Light Heavyweight Championship fight during UFC 220 at TD Garden on January 20, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

Some superfights take place after years of build and fan interest. This one seemed to be birthed and pushed over a matter of days. The two men have no connection and thus this matchup feels a bit forced and desperate. It's no secret the UFC didn't have favorable pay-per-view numbers in 2017.

When you group this pairing with the Cris Cyborg vs. Amanda Nunes superfight, it feels as if the UFC may be going to the well too often.

This is Almost a No-Win Situation For Miocic

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 20: Stipe Miocic sits on his stool after the fourth round of his heavyweight championship bout against Francis Ngannou during the UFC 220 event at TD Garden on January 20, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Stipe is in a tough situation. He'll likely make one of–if not his biggest–paydays yet, but from a legacy standpoint, he doesn't stand to gain as much as Cormier. If Miocic beats Cormier, it'll be a nice win, but at the end of the day, he will have beat a short light heavyweight. Cormier did compete as a heavyweight earlier in his career having won the Grand Prix in Strikeforce.

However, his glory days in the sport have come as the UFC's Light Heavyweight champion. If Cormier wins, he further cements his spot as one of the all-time greats by becoming just the second fighter to hold two titles simultaneously. Miocic doesn't have that kind of a reward waiting for him.

If he loses, it not only makes him look weak, it makes the entire heavyweight division look poor. Are the best two heavyweights in the UFC actually light heavyweights (Cormier and Jones)?

If Cormier Wins, Will He Fight Velasquez?

If Cormier becomes the heavyweight champion, his friendship with Velasquez could create a conundrum for the UFC and the division. That would seemingly be an obvious matchup for Cormier, but there would likely be apprehension on his part.

I'm not sure Velasquez would be as hesitant. Take a look at this tweet:

Still, if Cormier is unwilling or conflicted, we might run into a frustrating situation that causes fans to turn on the double champion.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Read Again Brow https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2018/01/27/daniel-cormier-vs-stipe-miocic-the-good-and-bad-things-about-the-champion-vs-champion-bout/

Bagikan Berita Ini

0 Response to "Daniel Cormier Vs. Stipe Miocic: The Good And Bad Things About The Champion Vs. Champion Bout"

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Powered by Blogger.