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It’s the end of the trilogy, and one of the most anticipated UFC bouts ever. And the public is starting to lean towards a side as heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic takes on Daniel Cormier live from the UFC Apex tonight as the main event of UFC 252.
Miocic is the reigning champ and is 19-3 in his MMA career, with his only loss since 2015 a first round KO by Cormier. He reclaimed his title in August 2019 via a flurry of punches in the fourth round, which brings both men back for the final fight of the trilogy this Saturday. Miocic averages 4.95 strikes per minute in the octagon as well as 2.20 takedowns per 15 minutes during his 16 UFC fights, where the 37-year-old has a promotion record of 13-3.
Cormier is 41 and this might be his final fight in MMA. The former All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State has held two UFC belts at once previously, and looks to ride out on top with another championship. He enters with a 22-2-1 record and an 11-2-1 mark in the UFC, and amazingly nine of his last 10 fights have been for a championship. He averages 4.25 strikes per minute and 1.95 takedowns per fight, and has 15 stoppages in his 22 career wins. The only losses of his career are to Jon Jones at light heavyweight, and to Miocic last year at heavyweight.
Betting splits
Here are the betting splits at DraftKings Sportsbook for Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 on August 15th:
Stipe Miocic: Opened -112, now -104 (38% of action, 43% of bets)
Daniel Cormier: Opened -112 now -115 (62% of action, 57% of bets)
Winning method splits
Here are the splits for the method of victory at DraftKings Sportsbook for Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 on August 15th:
Miocic-Cormier Winning Method
| Fights | Odds | % Handle | % Bets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fights | Odds | % Handle | % Bets |
| Daniel Cormier By Submission | +1000 | 26% | 18% |
| Daniel Cormier By Decision | +350 | 23% | 21% |
| Daniel Cormier By KO, TKO or DQ | +195 | 8% | 16% |
| Stipe Miocic By KO, TKO or DQ | +185 | 18% | 30% |
| Stipe Miocic By Decision | +450 | 2% | 8% |
| Tie | +6600 | 19% | 5% |
| Stipe Miocic By Submission | +2000 | 10% | 3% |
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