ANAHEIM, Calif. – Stipe Miocic is pleased he got the job done and regained the UFC heavyweight title from Daniel Cormier on Saturday in the UFC 241 main event, but he’s not proud of his performance prior to the knockout.
Miocic (19-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) took his fair share of damage from Cormier (22-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) over more than three rounds in the title rematch, which took place at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. In the fourth, though, he found a weak spot on “DC” and worked the body to set up the opening to land to the head and finish the job.
The two-time heavyweight king said he was upset with how he performed prior to when everything came together.
“I was fighting like a b—h,” Miocic told reporters, including MMA Junkie, post-fight at UFC 241. “I really was. I don’t take nothing from ‘DC.’ He’s tough. He’s fought the best in the world and he’s beat the best in the world. It took me a little time to get my mojo, and I just wasn’t feeling it. When I walked out for that fourth round, I knew it was going to be over. I could just see his face, the way he was sweating, the way his hips were moving. I knew it was going to be over.”
After stopping Cormier, Miocic did an out-of-character celebration, dancing around the center of the octagon. Miocic said it was somewhat of an out-of-body experience, and he is somewhat regretful of his actions.
“It was a little from ‘Old School’ – we watched it today and I was just like ‘Frank the Tank,'” Miocic said. “I had no idea what I was doing. I don’t know why I did it. I feel really dumb that I did it, and I did like the ‘Suck It.’ I don’t know why. I had to do something with my hands and feet. I’m an idiot. I don’t know. I’m just dumb.”
After starting his second championship reign, Miocic dismissed all questions about future matchups. He wants to revel in his victory and once he heals from a grueling fight, will reconvene with his team and the UFC about what’s next.
“Everyone’s question after I fight is, ‘Who are you going to fight next?'” Miocic said. “Honestly, I just bought a new home, lived there for two weeks. I’m going to go in the hot tub, the pool, let my body rest and then we’ll take it from there.”
