Heavyweight division alive again! Stipe Miocic wants winner of Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane
Since the announcement of UFC 285 and the departure of Francis Ngannou, the former heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic has confirmed that he would take on the winner of Jones vs Ciryl Gane.
Follow Us
Stipe Miocic
Francis Ngannou leaving UFC after failing to come to an agreement with the promotion has opened many doors. Stipe Miocic, who is arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time has decided to voice his claim to the heavyweight throne. The heavyweight from Ohio has called dibs on the next heavyweight title shot as Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane was announced by the UFC boss.
The much-anticipated return of UFC legend Jon Jones is finally here. The former light heavyweight champ is scheduled to face french heavyweight Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Hearing the announcement, former heavyweight champ, Stipe Miocic has decided to put out a tweet. Miocic has not fought in a long time and wants to make his return against the winner of Jones vs Gane.
Miocic tweeted on Sunday to announce his return to the octagon after almost two years of lay-off. The UFC Heavyweight Championship was vacated on Saturday due to Francis Ngannou’s departure later to be contended for at UFC 285: Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane scheduled on March 4. “March 4th – I like it”, tweeted the former two times heavyweight champion. “I got winner in July”, Stipe added further.
Since his loss to Francis Ngannou via KO at UFC 260, Stipe Miocic has been quiet and away from the cage. However, Stipe has now clearly expressed his interest to make a return against the winner of Jones vs Gane. The former two-time UFC heavyweight champion has a record four title defenses, the highest in the division. While some fans have been supportive of Stipe’s announcement, other fans have been skeptical about his competency after 18 months of lay-off.
March 4th – I like it.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) January 15, 2023
I got winner in July.
Stipe Miocic was offered to fight Jon Jones at first
Before Ciryl Gane, the promotion was working towards a fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. Ngannou’s rift with UFC has been going on for the last two years and Dana White was ready to let Jones fight for the heavyweight interim belt last year. However, the negotiations seemed to be only one-sided.
While Francis Ngannou was out injured following his title defense against Ciryl Gane, a desperate Jones was ready to fight anyone on the heavyweight roster. When Stipe Miocic was reached out to, the Ohio fighter did not accept to fight Jones on the UFC 282 card at the end of 2022.
While Ariel Helwani believes it was because Miocic was not happy with the offer from UFC, the former champ recently revealed that he was dealing with the loss of his father. Dana White also later confirmed that the reason behind Miocic’s absence has been personal issues.
Incase you missed it:
“I just want to be free,” Francis Ngannou explaining the actual reason for UFC dispute goes viral
World’s Scariest Free Agent! Francis Ngannou publicly wanted by Bellator MMA and PFL
Stay Updated!
Prateek Athanur
(2974 Articles Published)