Almost all the talk in recent months regarding Stipe Miocic’s next bout has been tied to a rubber match with Daniel Cormier. While there’s a good chance that fight will indeed happen, Miocic says he’s willing to face all comers, including Francis Ngannou for a second time.
Miocic talks eye injury and return
The Ohio star has yet to compete since Miocic reclaimed the heavyweight title at UFC 241 last August by taking out Daniel Cormier. That bout marked the first time Stipe had fought since he lost the belt to Cormier via knockout in July, 2018.
Miocic incurred an eye injury in his second bout with Cormier, and as a result, he’s been sidelined since. But, while speaking with the media recently, the 37-year-old reported he’s finally cleared to fight again(quotes via MMA Fighting):
“Better. A lot better. It’s healed up,” Miocic said.. “I’m taking my time with it because I’m 37, I don’t want to injure it again or something.
“I want to be able to see out of both eyes when I get older so that’s all I really care about right now. I love fighting but my health’s more important.”
“No [timeline], not right now,” Miocic said. “I just got cleared so take my time getting back in the swing of things. We’ll figure it out. We’ll see what happens.”
This is great news for the UFC, and you have to wonder if maybe the promotion will target summer for his next fight.
Who does Miocic want to fight?
Now, as noted above, the expectation is that Miocic and Cormier will throw down in a rubber match. UFC President Dana White has said that’s the bout they want and Cormier has said he’ll only return for that fight. After all, for some time, Cormier said he wasn’t going to fight into his forties (and he turned 40 in March, 2019).
When Miocic was asked who he wants to fight next, the champ said this:
“Whoever they want me to fight. Honestly, I don’t really care,” Miocic said. “I’ll put on a clinic on Ngannou again, too, it doesn’t matter to me.”
If you’ve followed Miocic’s comments in recent months about his next bout, the fact he didn’t signal out Cormier shouldn’t be a surprise. Miocic has never said he won’t fight “DC” for a third time, but he’s never sounded too keen on the match-up. For example, last year Miocic said he was more interested in fighting boxing superstar Tyson Fury.The way Miocic sees it, he “decisively” beat Cormier in their second outing.
Ngannou, meanwhile, is booked to fight Jairzinho Rozenstruik on Marcxh 28th. If he wins, his case for another title shot will be pretty indisputable. Unless Cormier decides to not fight again, however, it’s hard to imagine the UFC moving forward with Miocic – Ngannou II next.
Miocic faced the feared slugger in January, 2018, and scored a decision win.