Issue 145

September 2016

Can Stipe Miocic do what no UFC heavyweight has done before and defend his belt three times?

UFC heavyweight champions can’t seem to hold onto their belts for long. The record reign is just two defenses – held by Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez. No matter how dominant anyone seems, there’s always someone waiting around the corner to mug them for their 12 pounds of gold.

So does that mean new divisional leader Stipe Miocic is doomed to check out as champion in short order? Not necessarily. Here’s five reasons why he could break a record that’s stood for 15 years.

1 One hitter quitter

A single strike can change everything in a heavyweight MMA fight, especially if you’re throw fists with the kind of force that Miocic does. His knockouts of Fabricio Werdum and Andrei Arlovski showed he has equalizing power that can end a contest featuring 4oz gloves in an instant.

2 Staying power

The current champion proved he could stand up to some prolific punishment and keep fighting during his five-round war with Junior dos Santos in 2014. ‘Cigano’ is one of the biggest hitters in the entire sport and made Miocic eat 123 significant strikes to the head and body during 25 minutes, but he couldn’t put him away. That bodes well for his chances against lesser strikers.

3 Momentum

Few other fighters in the upper limits of MMA’s weight classes are on a roll like Miocic is on right now. Each of his last three wins have been emphatic stoppages and he’s looked better in every fight since his first loss to Stefan Struve. That should give him the mental edge against most of the murderers’ row of contenders that is lining up to try and take his heavyweight hardware.

4 On top 

Though it’s not his primary weapon, wrestling is a part of the Ohio native’s game that’s not to be underestimated. Mark Hunt is not a man that is held down easily, but Miocic managed it for long spells of their 2015 bout. His takedowns and top control could be key against so many fighters that fight best on their feet and struggle off their back.

5 No time to lose 

Maybe it’s because of his experience as a first responder in the fire department, but when the action begins, Micocic doesn’t wait around. Three of the 33-year-old’s last four wins came by first-round KO. Any opponent that isn’t prepared to get to work right away could be left counting the lights before they know what hit them. 

What You Think

FO's followers have their say

NO

@jorade2345

No. Overeem will end his title reign.

YES

@GlennyCee94 

He will get it done. He will go for 4!

NO

@DTA_Ever 

I’m going to say no at this point. Until I see how he performs in his first title defense.

Twitter poll

Yes: 33% No: 67%