Neither heavyweight was interested in taking this fight to the ground as it stayed standing for the majority of the twenty-five minutes. Both men stepped right to the center of the octagon at the start of the first and did not shy away from throwing bombs.

JDS was always believed to be favored in the striking category, but Miocic proved the bookies wrong when he not only withstood the combinations of JDS, but walked right through them and countered with his own! JDS was a bloody mess by the time the third round rolled by, but Miocic suffered some big setbacks as well.

Miocic made a bad habit of successfully backing JDS against the fence and landing combinations, but he would over dedicate and allow JDS to counter or simply walk away. If Miocic was a bit more methodical in his attack at times, he could have finished the fight.

There was a moment in the third round where JDS was backed up against the fence and he fired off a left hook that dropped the underdog. Miocic looked to be doomed, but he was able to grab hold of JDS’ leg and escape the round to make it to the fourth.

Walking into the final two rounds, it was evident that Miocic had done more visible damage to JDS as he was beaten to a pulp. However, JDS landed some convincing shots that could have stolen the round. Neither man walked into the final ten minutes with the most impressive gas tanks as they were both breathing heavily with their hands lowered down.

Staying true to their striking backgrounds, neither heavyweight wanted a takedown to secure the victory in the fifth and final round of the close fight. JDS and Miocic wanted the finish and worked for it until the final horn sounded.

When the bout concluded, the fighters embraced in a great display of sportsmanship.

Dos Santos would walk out of the octagon with his hand raised after a hard fight. Do you think the right heavyweight won? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Junior Dos Santos def. Stipe Miocic by way of Decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)