The most important fight of the year takes place on Saturday when UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic puts his title on the line against former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier in UFC 252. The bout joins the storied history of heavyweight trilogies in the UFC, only this one is being billed as bigger than the previous championship trilogies and with good reason.

For fans of UFC betting, it doesn’t get much better than this.

When Miocic and Cormier step into the cage, they will be fighting for more than just the heavyweight championship of the world; they’ll be fighting for the title of greatest heavyweight in UFC history, and arguably, in the history of the sport.

At this point in his career, Miocic’s credentials are beyond reproach. Miocic won the UFC heavyweight championship and holds the record for most heavyweight title defenses with three. By virtue of that alone, Miocic was already in the GOAT conversation. However, when Cormier moved up to heavyweight and knocked Miocic out in one round, it marred his legacy and left many with the idea that Cormier was truly the greatest UFC heavyweight ever.

Let’s take a closer look at that fight and a terrific card in Las Vegas.

UFC 252 Odds & Predictions

Top UFC 252 Prop Bets

• Cormier over Miocic By Decision ( +380 with DraftKings )
• O’Malley-Vera Goes To Decision (+105 with Unibet)
• Dos Santos-Rozenstruik Ends By KO/TKO ( -220 with BetMGM )
• Jim Miller To Defeat Vince Pichel By Submission ( +300 with DraftKings )
• Virna Jandiroba Over Felice Herrig By Submission (+280 with FOXBet)

UFC 252 Cormer vs Miocic Predictions

Compared to Miocic, Cormier’s accomplishments at heavyweight are fairly paltry in the UFC, having just a 4-1 record in the division. Much of Cormier’s heavyweight legacy revolves around the idea that were it not for his decision to drop to 205, a decision spurred on by his friendship with Cain Velasquez, Cormier would have been the champion that whole time. The idea was bolstered by Cormier’s demolition of Miocic when he finally did return to heavyweight.

However, Miocic’s comeback win over Cormier in their rematch has thrown the entire conversation for a loop.

Now, with the score tied at one, Miocic and Cormier meet for a third time to define their legacies. For Miocic, a win will cement him as the best heavyweight in UFC history. For Cormier, a win will avenge his lone heavyweight defeat and solidify him as the top heavyweight, possibly ever. And if that wasn’t enough, this is also the final fight of Cormier’s career. DC is intending to hang up the gloves — win, lose, or draw — after UFC 252, so the stakes could not be higher.

As for the fight itself, all the signs point to a Cormier victory. In their first encounter, Cormier knocked out Miocic in the first round, and in their second, he was beating Miocic handily before an adjustment from the champion turned the tables. But Miocic can only make that adjustment once and now Cormier is wise to it, so it shouldn’t work again.

Furthermore, with so much riding on this fight for Cormier, he is likely going to wrestle much more, which will be highly effective against Miocic. Cormier is a good bet to win here at DraftKings.

CORMIER-MIOCIC PROP: While it’s true that neither of the first two fights went to decision, trilogies have a tendency to make it to the final bell as the consequences of losing become that much bigger. This will be especially true for Cormier who plans to wrestle often, meaning Stipe will be on his back for the bulk of 25 minutes. Grab those +380 odds for Cormier to win by decision at DraftKings, too.

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Marlon Vera vs Sean O’Malley UFC 252 Predictions

Sean O’Malley is the UFC’s next big prospect and with good reason. He’s delivered every time he’s stepped into the cage and has all the hallmarks of a budding star. But as with all promising prospects, he’s prone to being overvalued by the public.

Marlon Vera is as game a fighter as they come and the best opponent O’Malley has ever faced. He can compete on his feet and on the floor with O’Malley and is going to be a tough out. O’Malley may still win, but Vera is a live dog here with BetAmerica.

O’MALLEY-VERA PROP: O’Malley is a hyped prospect but this is a big step up in competition for him, not just in quality of opposition, but in durability. Marlon Vera has never been finished and that includes going three rounds with John Lineker, one of the biggest pound-for-pound punchers in the world. Expect this to involve the judges, making the +105 odds of this fight going to decision an added bonus.

Junior dos Santos vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik UFC 252 Predictions

At this point in his career, banking on Junior dos Santos’ chin to hold up is always a risky proposition, especially against a power striker like Jairzinho Rozenstruik. However, though JDS is past his prime, the man still is the superior technical boxer, and is not far removed from surviving Derrick Lewis.

Rozenstruik is coming off his first KO loss and was soundly outstruck by Alistair Overeem before a Hail Mary stoppage in the fifth round. JDS can do the same, so long as he avoids the power shot. Back him with BetMGM.

DOS SANTOS-ROZENSTRUIK PROP: These are two of the biggest power punchers in the division and both need a statement win. Dos Santos hasn’t seen the judges in his last four fights and Rozenstruik has never seen them. Someone is getting slept in this one, making betting on this fight to end in a KO/TKO outright or solid parlay fodder at -220.

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Magomed Ankalaev vs Ion Cutelaba UFC 252 Pick

This is a rematch from February, when Ankalaev got the win but the bout ended controversially. Just 30 seconds in, Ankalaev hurt Cutelaba on the feet, causing Cutelaba to swing awkwardly, and getting the referee to step in extremely prematurely.

But prematurely or not, the fact remains that it only took 30 seconds for Ankalaev to put Cutelaba in danger, and that’s still true here. There isn’t much meat on the bone at this price, but Ankalaev is good parlay fodder at FOXBet.

John Dodson vs Merab Dvalishvili UFC 252 Pick

Dodson is one of the least heralded, best fighters in the world. In his career, he has only lost to the elite of the elite — Demetrious Johnson, Petr Yan, John Lineker, Marlon Moraes — and most of those losses were extremely close.

At 35, he is not as good as he once was, but Dodson’s blend of power and athleticism makes him a rough night for practically anyone. Merab Dvalishvili is a solid fighter, but this is a massive step up for him and Dodson should be the favorite. Grab these odds at Unibet.

Jim Miller vs Vince Pichel UFC 252 Pick

Jim Miller has quietly won his last four fights by submission. The BJJ blackbelt has always been an underrated wrestler and a very dangerous grappler, two traits that have posed problems for Vince Pichel in his career. Back Miller to win by submission at +300 with DraftKings .

Virna Jandiroba vs Felice Herrig UFC 252 Pick

Felice Herrig is a notoriously tough nut to crack. Over her 22-fight career, Herrig has never been stopped before; however, Herrig is getting older and Virna Jandiroba is an extremely talented grappler. Twelve of Virna’s 15 career wins have come by submission, and the former Invicta FC strawweight champion has a great chance to be the first to finish Herrig. Bet on her to win by submission at +280 with FOXBet.

UFC 252 Date, Time & TV Information

When is UFC 252?

UFC 252 is Saturday, August 15, In Las Vegas, Nevada.

What Time is UFC 252?

The main card is schedule to begin at 10 p.m. ET.

Where Can I Watch UFC 252 Cormier vs Miocic?

UFC 252 Cormier vs Miocic is available on EPSN PPV.