Stipe Miocic (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Stipe Miocic is the UFC’s new heavyweight champ, thanks to a big right hand that put Fabricio Werdum away in the opening round of their UFC 198 headliner.

The dangerous, heavy handed fighter caught Werdum flush to the jaw with a punch, as the latter charged into attack. After the championship win, Miocic had this to say about what led to the victory (quote via FOX Sports 1 press release):

“He’s a lot quicker than I thought. I was hitting him with some shots. He started chasing me and I hit him with the right hand and he didn’t like it very much. He started chasing me and I caught him with a good right hand. I have power.”

“I was working on the checks all camp. He kicks hard. I hit him with the first right hand, and I thought I hurt him and he started chasing me and knew I was going to get it.”

With the win, Miocic extended his winning streak to three. Although Werdum is calling for an immediate rematch with the new champ, most expect that the UFC will book Alistair Overeem to face Miocic next.