CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was excited to see Cleveland native Stipe Miocic reclaim the UFC heavyweight championship with a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 241 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California Saturday night.
Shortly after arriving home from the Browns’ preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Mayfield watched the fight alongside several friends, and when Miocic earned the fourth-round stoppage victory, the second-year quarterback took to his Instagram story to celebrate the moment.
“Yes!” Mayfield screamed while channeling his best Bruce Buffer impersonation. “You’re (expletive) right! C-L-E! Wooooooo! Stipe! World champion! Yes sir!
“There he is. He’s right there. That ain’t him (while pointing to a photo of Cormier). Right there. Stipe!...Heavyweight champion of the world...Stipe Miocic!”
After struggling to find his range in the first three rounds, Miocic picked his spots during the fourth frame and was sticking and moving, engaging with punches, including several left hooks to Cormier’s ribs, and getting out of the pocket before the defending champion could respond.
Then, after a lead hook to the body, Miocic landed a straight right hand to Cormier’s chin. That wobbled Cormier and Miocic moved in for the finish. Miocic landed three right hands before connecting on three short lefts while putting Cormier against the cage.
With Cormier falling to the canvas, Miocic alternated right and left-handed punches and forced the referee’s stoppage with 52 seconds remaining in the fourth round.
By regaining the UFC heavyweight championship and avenging only the third loss in his professional career, Miocic improved his overall record to 19-3, including a 13-3 slate in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
