On This Day: Daniel Cormier Won UFC Heavyweight Title at UFC 226

Eight years ago this week, Daniel Cormier made history at UFC 226, stopping Stipe Miocic to claim the UFC Heavyweight Championship and cement his place among the sport's elite by becoming a simultaneous two-division titleholder.

Cormier, known widely as "DC," holds a professional record of 22-3-0 and was 47 years old at the time of the milestone. The five-foot-eleven orthodox fighter carries a 72-inch reach and has long been regarded as one of the most complete competitors the sport has produced. His output tells the story of a relentless pressure fighter, averaging 4.25 significant strikes landed per minute at 52 percent accuracy, while also threatening consistently on the mat at 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes.

The night's drama did not end when the final horn sounded. Brock Lesnar, then a looming presence at heavyweight, made his way into the arena and confronted Cormier in a scene that instantly became one of the most talked-about post-fight moments in recent memory. Lesnar shoved Cormier, who answered back sharply with words rather than hands. The six-foot-three American, who carries an 81-inch reach and owns a career record of 5-3-0, has always brought an imposing physical presence that few fighters in any division can match. His striking accuracy sits at a remarkable 72 percent, and he averages 3.9 takedowns per 15 minutes when engaged.

Why it matters

• Cormier joined a tiny group of fighters to hold UFC titles in two divisions simultaneously, a landmark achievement in the sport's history
• The Lesnar confrontation instantly teased a massive heavyweight title fight, raising the stakes of the division overnight
• The moment remains a defining snapshot of UFC 226, which stands as one of the most eventful pay-per-view cards the promotion has staged