Cleveland’s Stipe Miocic loses UFC heavyweight championship via KO from Daniel Cormier

The American had some limited success with kicks and at least appeared to be trying to push forward at points, but overall the bout was a crashing disappointment as the octagon was showered with boos from the nonplussed Las Vegas crowd.

He called the exchange between Cormier and Lesnar “fake” and refuses to take part in anything that resembles the WWE.

“I fight Brock Lesnar, I get paid”, said Cormier, who added he is only interested in big fights to finish his career. “This is the chance for both of us to prove what we can do in unique circumstances”. He can either wait for Lesnar or go back down to light heavyweight and defend the 205-pound title. Good shot. What are you going to do? “I lost. No excuses”.

“I am 39 years old and I’ve been second many times”, he told co-commentator Joe Rogan after the fight.

“Not having to cut any weight is very pleasant”, Cormier said with a laugh. “I’ve got my daughter waiting”.

White also said he hasn’t spoken to former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor about his return to MMA.

The fight barely over, Cormier began promoting the next.

One thing he won’t do is step in the cage with Lesnar if he believes he’s still skirting the rules.

Pushing and shoving ensued, and during the fiasco Miocic and his coaches left the octagon.

Lesnar took a front row seat at T-Mobile Arena next to White before the championship fight between Miocic and Cormier. “So [Cormier has had to deal with] the shadow of Jon Jones”.

Fans around the world were treated to a short but spectacular superfight for the heavyweight title, one that pitted two great champions in Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier against each other. He broke the record at three in his last bout, a five-round unanimous decision last January against Francis Ngannou at UFC 220.

But Cormier stunned Miocic with a first-round knockout.

“Stipe’s not done yet,”said White”.

But the size disparity between Miocic and Cormier will be more vertical than horizontal.

Late in a lively opening round, Cormier (21-1, 1 no-contest) abruptly flattened the UFC’s long-reigning heavyweight kingpin with a right elbow out of a clinch. Cormier insisted the exchange wasn’t staged. White had previously said Lesnar would be returning to the company later this year. But perhaps the UFC, under the WME-IMG banner, is more about the bottom line and less about arranging competitive fights. He’s a true champion.

Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis also submitted Michael Chiesa in the second round with a triangle armbar from a bottom position.

In his win over Michael Chiesa on Saturday, glimpses of that same fighter showed up for the first time in years.

His wife Ryan is due to give birth to their first child, a daughter, in the next few weeks.