Shane Crawford
The aftermath of Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 has seemingly sparked a fire in the upper rankings of the heavyweight division. On the ESPN+ 249 post-fight show Daniel Cormier said, “If Stipe (Miocic) won’t fight, then Francis Ngannou has earned a title fight”.
With a stunning twenty-second knockout over the weekend adding to a combined four fight win streak lasting only 2:42 it would seem certain that Ngannou has proven his worth for a shot at the title.
Dana White has stressed the importance of Miocic taking a fight soon or risk being stripped of his UFC heavyweight title. The Cleveland native has not been quiet on his feelings towards whom he should be fighting next. He has recently responded to Cormier via twitter saying he just likes to make noise.
I’ve already said I’m going to fight DC. He just likes to make noise. My team is working on securing a training location and dates w UFC. I have five belts at home. I don’t need to sit on anything. If I didn’t have a torn retina, I would’ve already fought & retired @dc_mma . #SM https://t.co/6ZHnd1xhlg
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) May 11, 2020
Miocic last fought ‘DC’ in August of 2019 to retain his title. Battling an eye injury and most recently battling the novel coronavirus as a first responder – has held Miocic back from training properly for a fight. As a firefighter, Miocic is on the front lines working and unable to begin a solid training camp
I want to fight DC. It’s going to happen period. Im going to give my fans what they want to see. My management has been working on dates with UFC. Right now I’m doing what the Governor DeWine is advising and am working as a first responder. I can’t control a global pandemic.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) May 6, 2020
I’ve never turned down a fight, and I never will. Strap #6 coming soon 🐐 #SM
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) May 6, 2020
That above Twitter thread from Miocic came days before the Ngannou’s knockout and seemingly contradicts the idea of a battle between ‘DC’ and ‘The Predator’ needing to take place. As many fighters face adversity during this pandemic it makes sense that Miocic has been held limited in his ability to prepare for war.
With the ban in Ohio being lifted at the end of the month, it is safe to say that the champion is eager to get back to his training regimen and sign the contract that could lead to the greatest heavyweight trilogy in UFC history.
‘DC’ is clearly ready to fight as well, whether it is Ngannou or Miocic, and the fans are ready for a heavyweight championship fight too.
Miocic and ‘DC; have both mentioned being in sight of retirement and it would be no surprise if the trilogy fight concludes this epic chapter of these fighters’ careers. Ngannou has proved his worth and he absolutely deserves to fight for the championship. The trilogy must come first before it is too late. Hopefully ‘DC’ and Miocic both keep making all the right noise until that fight happens.
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