STIPE MIOCIC returned to the top of the heavyweight heap by stopping Daniel Cormier in the UFC 241 main event Saturday in Anaheim, the United States, on Saturday.

After landing a few punches in round one, Cormier scooped Miocic high into the air and slammed him to the canvas, where they spent the second half of the round, Cormier working Miocic over with a relentless ground-and-pound attack.

Cormier showed little respect for Miocic’s punching power in round two, walking through many of Miocic’s punches.

Miocic threw some leg kicks early in the first frame, but gave up most of his kicks in round two, allowing Cormier to disregard any danger from kicks and simply plow forward with his much quicker punch combinations, rocking Miocic on several occasions.

Miocic picked up the pace in round three, but Cormier countered by sticking his jab in his face with greater frequency.

Miocic scored a brief takedown midway through the round, but Cormier was quickly back to his feet, attacking Miocic’s lead leg with kicks and pumping his jab into his face. Both fighters fought at a much more measured pace for the opening minutes of round four. But midway through the round, Miocic started to connect with some big hooks to the body and Cormier couldn’t find a way to avoid them.

Miocic continued to dig shots into Cormier’s ribs, sapping his power and stamina.

As the clock wound down, Miocic hit Cormier with a body shot that made the champion wince. He followed with a right hand to the head that staggered Cormier and then poured it on.

(SD-Agencies)