45,000 fans in Curitiba fell silent on Saturday night at UFC 198, as Stipe Miocic knocked out Fabricio Werdum to take the UFC Heavyweight Championship in the night’s main event.
The shocking upset finish came just 2:47 into the first round as Werdum tried to chase him around the cage, as Miocic connected on a short right hand while backing up and off balance. Werdum was rushing with a sloppy, over-reaching attempt at a combination, and his momentum brought him full force into said right hand, putting him out cold in a stunning highlight-reel finish.
It was an absolutely deflating moment for the crowd, with the sound evaporating from the Arena da Baixada in shock immediately after Werdum went down. Miocic was rightfully elated, and reveled in the moment afterward while screaming to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, that they finally have a champion coming home.
The finish was an incredible cap to an entertaining, if slightly below expectations event, and continues the heavyweight division’s penchant for lunacy.
[Photo (c) Mark J. Rebilas via USA Today Sports]
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