Miocic keeps belt at UFC 252, Cormier retires after loss

Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) in the main event of UFC 252 on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Miocic retained his title for the first time in his second title reign, and the fourth time overall.

Cormier said he likely won't return to the Octagon after Saturday's loss. "DC" said before the rubber match against Miocic that he would retire afterward - win or lose.

"I'm not interested in fighting for anything but titles, and I don't imagine there's gonna be a title in the future," Cormier said in his postfight interview. "So that'll be it for me. I've had a long run. It's been great. I just fought my last fight for the heavyweight championship, and it was a pretty good fight."

Similar to last year's rematch between Miocic and Cormier, this fight was largely a stand-up battle. The big difference was there was no finish, and this was the first time Miocic and Cormier went the distance in their three bouts.

Miocic's biggest moment came at the end of the second round when he dropped Cormier, hurting and nearly finishing the challenger. Miocic got into a dominant position and attacked with blows on the ground, but referee Marc Goddard allowed Cormier to make it to the horn.

Cormier appeared still hurt at the beginning of the third frame but rallied back to make the fight competitive. He landed solid shots in the clinch against Miocic, but the champion's chin held up. Cormier's best moment in the contest arguably came at the end of the first round when he stunned Miocic with a right hand.

Cormier was the quicker fighter on the feet, and that allowed him to land on Miocic in certain spots. However, he failed to return to his wrestling after one takedown in the opening frame, and that may have cost him.

Miocic did more damage in the striking department and managed to hold Cormier against the fence for long periods of time late in the title bout. Miocic also landed a nasty eye poke against Cormier in the championship rounds that seemed to bust up the challenger's eye. Cormier said after the fight that he couldn't see out of his left eye.

Ultimately, Miocic was the busier fighter and the judges felt he did enough to keep his belt in one of the best trilogies in mixed martial arts history.

Miocic is now riding a two-fight winning streak, while Cormier has lost two straight.