Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic (19-3, 15 KOs) will meet rival Daniel Cormier (22-2, 10 KOs, 5 SUBs) in a headlining trilogy match at UFC 252 on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 pm ET, featuring some wildly exciting matchups and fighters like former champion Junior Dos Santos, undefeated bantamweight uber-prospect Sean O’Malley and perpetually pissed off brawler Ion “Hulk” Cutelaba. Let’s take a closer look at the main event and break down your best betting picks. The UFC odds at BookMaker.eu opened with Miocic as a slight -105 underdog, with DC the favorite at -125.
Bet on UFC at BookMaker.eu
Stipe Miocic (19-3, 15 KOs)
Gotta give some props to the Cleveland native: in their first encounter he was knocked out in one round and lost his belt, waited a year on the sideline telling everybody within earshot that he was a better fighter than DC, then came back and scored a knockout of his own to gain the title back. The way he got that stoppage was pretty gangster, as he was likely losing on the cards after three rounds, but started blasting DC’s gut with lethal body shots in round 4. There is something so intriguing about watching a beer belly get punched.
Now it’s time to settle the score once and for all. Miocic’s size advantage is significant, as he stands nearly half a foot taller than his opponent. That, along with his collegiate wrestling background, is enough to negate DC’s wrestling - the AKA captain didn’t even really attempt to take him down. Miocic is a former Golden Gloves champ, so he knows how to throw them hands. I’d argue that his athleticism, size and base skills make him the most well-rounded guy in the division.
These guys have fought twice now - they know what to expect from each other. Miocic was able to gut out a battle of attrition, but he was also knocked out and was behind on the scorecards before turning the tide. This is about as even as a fight can get - on paper or in the sportsbook.
Daniel Cormier (22-2, 10 KOs, 5 SUBs)
Know what’s funny? For an entire year Miocic kept insisting that he was a better fighter than DC, demanding a rematch. According to the 37-year old, beating DC was more important than the belt simply because he needed to prove it. Nowadays, it’s Cormier singing the exact same tune, stating in recent interviews that he knows he’s the better fighter and that beating Miocic is more important than hoisting the title. Sounds like it’s personal - we love that.
Most of the MMA world is certain that DC will retire after this fight, win or lose. Winning would let him ride off into the sunset with the perfect ending. Losing would push the 41-year old to the back of the line at an age when bodies start to diminish. It’s highly doubtful that he’d want to do that. If and when he does walk away, DC will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Cormier has gone with the same strategy in both fights: walking down Miocic and making the fight ugly. That includes a lot of clinching and short combinations inside. Despite his dadbod, DC is deceptively quick and throws fast hands. He’s gonna wanna turn this into a grind, which is a 50/50 affair.
Significant Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Miocic 4.95 / Cormier 4.42
Striking accuracy: Miocic 52% / Cormier 54%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Miocic 3.69 / Cormier 3.95
Striking defense: Miocic 56% / Cormier 56%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Miocic 2.2 / Cormier 1.81
Takedown accuracy: Miocic 37% / Cormier 45%
Takedown defense: Miocic 73% / Cormier 77%
Submission average: Miocic 0 / Cormier 0.66
UFC Picks: Miocic to win at -101
Honestly, this matchup is about as unpredictable as it gets. We’ve seen a quick ending, a long drawn-out battle, and each guy getting their hand raised. In the end, we’re leaning on the current champ to get it done. He is bigger, younger, doesn’t have to worry about the takedowns and generally a much more dangerous hitter than DC. Miocic is a solid bet anywhere around even money.
UFC 252: Miocic vs Cormier 3 Card & Odds
Heavyweight Championship- Stipe Miocic -107 vs. Daniel Cormier -117
Heavyweight- Junior Dos Santos +113 vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik -137
Bantamweight- Marlon Vera +254 vs. Sean O’Malley -322
Flyweight- Jon Dodson +188 vs. Merab Dvalishvili -230
Women’s Strawweight- Ashley Yoder +133 vs. Livia Souza -160
Women’s Strawweight- Felice Herrig +249 vs. Virna Jandiroba -313
Featherweight- Daniel Pineda +230 vs. Herbert Burns -288
Lightweight- Jim Miller +103 vs. Vinc Pichel -127
Featherweight - Danny Chavez +123 vs. TJ Brown -147
Heavyweight- Chris Daukaus +103 vs. Parker Porter -127
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props, and money lines are all available so start betting with BookMaker today.
