UFC 241 aftermath: Stipe Miocic's best 5 UFC knockouts
We’ve got a new UFC Heavyweight champion this morning, and his name? Stipe Miocic. The firefighter from Cincinnati, Ohio knocked out Daniel Cormier to reclaim the title he lost to ‘DC’ last summer, and with this victory, his name definitely belongs in the conversation when it comes to the greatest Heavyweight in MMA history.
Miocic came into the UFC as a man largely known for his excellent wrestling – he competed at an NCAA Division I level for Cleveland State – but over his 8 year tenure in the Octagon, it’s his brutal punching power that’s allowed him his greatest successes.
Simply put, Miocic is one of the most dangerous knockout artists in UFC history – and these are his greatest 5 KO finishes.
#5 vs. Andrei Arlovski – UFC 195
When the UFC decided to book a Heavyweight title rematch between champion Fabricio Werdum and former champ Cain Velasquez in early 2016 rather than give Miocic – who had stopped former top contender Mark Hunt in brutal fashion a few months prior – his opportunity, the firefighter had plenty of reason to feel aggrieved. And so when he was booked instead against another former champ in Andrei Arlovski, it was time for Miocic to take out his frustrations.
Take them out he did; Miocic came in like a man possessed, showing no respect for Arlovski despite ‘The Pitbull’ being on an impressive 4 fight win streak. He walked the Belarusian down, backed him up and hurt him with a short right hook. Smelling blood, Miocic quickly added another that sent Arlovski down, and then pounced to land some bombs to finish the fight.
Miocic’s post-fight actions were just as telling as the knockout; he roared at UFC President Dana White, demanding the next title shot, and after a performance like this, who could argue with him? This was a great knockout – a one-sided massacre in favour of a man on a mission to the top.