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UFC boss Dana White: Stipe Miocic-Daniel Cormier III set for Aug. 15
August 17, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; Daniel Cormier lands a hit against Stipe Miocic during UFC 241 at Honda Center.  Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

UFC boss Dana White: Stipe Miocic-Daniel Cormier III set for Aug. 15

Recently, current UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and former two-division titleholder Daniel Cormier both teased returns to the Octagon.

Soon after, UFC boss Dana White confirmed during a Tuesday appearance on ESPN's "First Take" that UFC 251 will be the first show held at Fight Island on July 11 and that Fight Island is located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. White announced that Miocic and Cormier will meet to complete their trilogy of title bouts on Aug. 15.  

White added there's no set location for the Aug. 15 show. Cormier has told ESPN's Ariel Helwani he plans to retire, win or lose, after this fight. 

Cormier defeated Miocic via knockout at UFC 226 in July 2018, but that win was controversial due to an accidental eye poke Cormier delivered the then-champ in the opening round of the fight. Miocic reclaimed the belt with a fourth-round TKO at UFC 241 in Aug. 2019. He was again injured by a Cormier eye poke during that contest. 

It's possible White didn't announce a location for the Aug. 15 event because the promotion would like that show to be its first to welcome fans since the coronavirus pandemic altered its schedule earlier this spring. 

Last week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced spectators can attend the Jack Nicklaus Memorial Tournament, held at Nicklaus' Muirfield Village Golf Club, in July. Miocic, who is from Northeast Ohio, serves as an active firefighter in a Cleveland suburb. During his first title reign, he successfully defended the heavyweight crown versus Alistair Overeem in downtown Cleveland in September 2016. 

Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said venues in that state can be filled up to 50 percent capacity for sporting events. 

Florida and Nevada are among states that may allow fans on or around Aug. 1. 

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