WATCH: 'First Johns who can take a punch' - Cooper amusingly becomes Tim Tszyu's punching bag
Cooper Johns hadn't done fitness in twelve months - but was put to the test against one of Australia's best fighters!
UFC 226 is the big one – the biggest and baddest superfight in company history. Join The Roar for a live blog of the event, starting from 12pm AEST.
Headlined by streaking UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic against UFC light heavyweight titlist Daniel Cormier, it’s a career-defining fight for both men.
For Miocic, the most accomplished heavyweight champion in UFC history, a win over one of the best fighters to ever grace the Octagon, regardless of weight class, is just another notch in his belt.
The stakes are a little higher for Cormier. In his case, this fight represents a chance to erase the narrative that he’s an outstanding competitor who cannot win the big one.
As a wrestler, the 39-year-old American Kickboxing Academy leader never won a national title and failed to take home an Olympic medal after two tries.
In the UFC’s eight-sided cage, Cormier has held championship gold but two losses to troubled former champ Jon Jones calls the validity of his title reign into question.
In the twilight of his career, Cormier can finally change the narrative, but it’s going to be an uphill battle.
Heavyweight championship bout: Stipe Miocic (c) vs. Daniel Cormier
Heavyweight bout: Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis
Welterweight bout: Paul Felder vs. Mike Perry
Catchweight(157.5 lbs) bout: Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis
Light Heavyweight bout: Gökhan Saki vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
Middleweight bout: Uriah Hall vs. Paulo Costa
Bantamweight bout: Raphael Assunção vs. Rob Font
Lightweight bout: Lando Vannata vs. Drakkar Klose
Welterweight bout: Curtis Millender vs. Max Griffin
Lightweight bout: Dan Hooker vs. Gilbert Burns
Women’s Strawweight bout: Jamie Moyle vs. Emily Whitmire
Join The Roar for a live blog of the event, starting from 12pm AEST.