Game on!
Stipe Miocic is not going anywhere and wants his third fight with Ngannou, MMANews reports. We will see which way Dana White takes the heavyweight division in 2021, but Miocic is ready for the trilogy. What’s even more interesting is that Miocic said he would put on 20 pounds to hit 250 if the third fight does happen.
Looks like the ‘lean mean fighting machine’ strategy is getting thrown out the window. Hopefully we see this fight.
I think Stipe comes back next year at the earliest.
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They’ll try to have him fight someone else first (someone like Cyril Gane) while Ngannou is off fighting Lewis or something.
I’d avoid Gane (who himself could beat Ngannou) or fighting anyone in the meantime.
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I would just sit and wait. Stipe shouldn’t have to prove himself for a re-match. He should just train and wait. Have one more go to try and win it before retiring.
I think Stipe will get another title shot for his next fight. 1. He needs to let his chin recover 2. He has a son coming this summer so he’s not in any rush. Earliest we’d see him back in the octagon is December I think. By then everything with Francis, Jones, Lewis will have happened and there will be some clarity. Heavyweight isn’t that deep and Stipe is still the cream. Actually I think everything will time up nicely for Stipe
@ Maminjo – the strategy apparently was because they had success with speed the first fight they thought if he’s lighter he would be even quicker but he gave up too much strength to take him down coupled with Ngannous better TDD and ability to remain composed. This forced Miocic to have to stand and exchange more whereas in the first fight he could afford to throw less punches and shoot for a takedown.
Derrick Lewis beat Ngannou too.
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The assumption is that Ngannou is a lot better now, but his wins are largely still just first round KOs (same as they always were).
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If Stipe didn’t stupidly come into that last match 40 lbs lighter than Ngannou, he would’ve wrestled with him, took him down or pinned him against the cage, and gassed him like last time.
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Not sure what the strategy was last fight, but he made it easier for Francis. Now he’ll have to wait at least a year and a half (if ever) to get a rematch.
No one will do to Ngannou what Miocic did the first fight.
This is Dana’s priority right now…
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#1. Jon Jones
#2. Derrick Lewis
#3. Tyson Fury
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#4. Stipe Miocic or Cyril Gane
Can’t see this fight taking place.
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Dana never was a fan of Stipe, and he was the only guy happier than Nganou with the knockout. No chance that Dana will arrange this fight. The last thing he wants is for Stipe to sit on the heavyweight throne again.
Feel sorry for Stipe.
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The guy has the most title defenses and there’s not much buzz.
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Now that Francis wins, you’ve got Jon Jones jumping in and out of a superfight, and you’ve got Gypsy King posting videos about a Boxing match with Francis.
Even Derrick Lewis is being pushed as the next opponent for Francis, ahead of Stipe.
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Where was all this when Stipe beat the shit out of Francis the first time, and all these other dudes lol.