Recently there’s been no shortage of talk about Jon Jones challenging Stipe Miocic next. But, it looks like the UFC’s heavyweight champ won’t be going out of his way to secure the all-star fight.
Miocic will fight “anyone”
If you follow MMA news regularly, then you almost certainly know that Jones recently vacated the UFC’s light heavyweight title. “Bones” has decided to move up to heavyweight with the intention of winning the division’s title.
Well, due to Jones’s abilities and rep as one of the greatest fighters of all time, if not ever, there’s been extensive talk about him fighting Miocic next. UFC President Dana White has said, however, that Francis Ngannou has locked up the next title shot, and Miocic seems to agree with that thinking.
While talking to ESPN recently, the Ohio star said this about White’s decision.
“I think so,” Miocic said. “Ngannou has definitely shown a lot better stuff since the first fight.
He’s knocking everyone out in the first round. He’s just on a tear.”
And what about the prospect of fighting Jones? One of the biggest names in all of MMA, in a fight that would almost certainly be the biggest of Miocic’s career?
Well, the champion says he’s down, but Miocic isn’t calling for the contest either.
“I’ll fight anyone,” Miocic said. “I don’t really call people out. Whoever they put me in front of, I’m gonna fight.
That’s what I do. That’s what I signed up for. If it’s him or it’s Ngannou or whoever, I’m ready to go.”
“I don’t know,” Miocic sid. “[Jones has] got a great résumé. But other guys have worked hard to get where they need to get.
I’m not the matchmaker, so I can’t really say anything. I fight. If I was a matchmaker, I wouldn’t be fighting. I’ll do what the UFC decides.”
Surprised?
So, if you’ve followed Miocic over the years, then you shouldn’t be all that surprised by his stance here. It’s true: Miocic isn’t really known for calling people out.
After his loss to Cormier in 2018, Miocic drove hard for a rematch, on account of the fact he had defended the heavyweight title more times than anyone else. But, that was kind of an exception to the rule, when it comes to him.
Now, considering Miocic has already defeated Ngannou, he could have come out and argued the Jones’s fight should be the priority. But, it seems clear the UFC plans to move forward with Miocic – Ngannou first.
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