In what can be classified as a super fight, champions collide as the UFC’s light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier takes on heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday night.
Oddsmakers have Miocic set as a -220 favorite with Cormier coming back as a +185 underdog. The round total is set at 3.5.
There’s no denying that the physical advantages in this matchup lie with Miocic. He’s five inches taller, holds an eight-inch reach advantage, and is three years younger.
Miocic is a good striker having solid hands and works a very high pace for a heavyweight landing a whopping 4.75 significant strikes a minute. In comparison, he’s only absorbing 2.88 significant strikes per minute with 63 percent striking defense.
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In the early going in Saturday’s bout, look for both fighters to be cautious, but for Miocic to use his length and establish boxing range. As both fighters get more comfortable, I expect Cormier to begin to work inside.
At close range, this is a really interesting bout. Cormier’s speed will be pivotal here. He’s an excellent dirty boxer and will need tire out Miocic to win this fight.
Cormier does his best work using movement to get inside of an opponent and making it an ugly fight. He’s good in the clinch and is able to work in takedowns from that position. Cormier does a good job of avoiding damage overall absorbing just 2.47 significant strikes per minute.
If Miocic is going to win this bout, he’ll need to finish early in order to get the win. The longer this fight goes on, the more it favors Cormier, as he’ll be the more agile fighter with a better gas tank.
This is a tough fight to call as Cormier is nearing 40 and hasn’t faced a fighter as physical as Miocic in some time, but at the same time Cormier’s style is a difficult matchup for Miocic.
Given +205 odds, one has to consider Cormier here. Given his proven success at heavyweight, these are generous odds on him and worth a bet. **video
