Ngannou: ‘The real champion is me’

Francis Ngannou stands by his statement that Stipe Miocic is the “interim” UFC heavyweight champion.

The No. 1 heavyweight contender and Miocic’s next opponent at UFC 220 in Boston Jan. 20 said that after he flattened Alistair Overeem in December to create a super bout with Miocic.

That knockout came in Round 1 at UFC 218 on Dec. 2. Shortly after that impressive performance, Ngannou said this about Miocic:

“I thank him for keeping that belt for me,” said Ngannou. “(Miocic is) just the interim champion. The real champion is me.”

Asked Jan. 11 in a UFC 220 teleconference if he felt Miocic wasn’t a legitimate champion, Ngannou said:

“I said he was the interim champion because (it wasn’t me).

I’m the real champion for this division. I’m the guy that will change the heavyweight division … I’ll bring more excitement for the heavyweight division.”

Miocic hasn’t been too shabby since he won the belt from former champ Fabricio Werdum in May 2016. Since then, Miocic (17-2) has secured two straight title defenses with first-round knockouts. If he beats Ngannou, he will set the UFC record for consecutive title defenses by a heavyweight at three. That doesn’t impress Ngannou.

“That means nothing to me,” he said. “I can see Stipe’s limit, but no one can see my limit. Can Ngannou do this, can Ngannou do that? You’re going to see what I can do against Stipe, and be like, ‘Wow.’ ”

Miocic, as is his usual demeanor, refused to get in a war of words.

“He can say what he thinks. Sure,” said the Eastlake North graduate in the teleconference. “We’ll find out (Jan. 20). I don’t worry about it.”

The bout to see if Ngannou can back up his claim is almost a week away. The fighter from France is 11-1, and has dominated in his six UFC fights, and won his last four with first-round knockouts.

He said the short turnaround to UFC 220 from his last bout — which will be less than two months — won’t be a problem.

“I didn’t take a break (after UFC 218),” said Ngannou, who fights out of Las Vegas. “I just tried to maintain and keep myself in shape.”

Miocic hasn’t fought since a quick first-round knockout of Junior dos Santos in Dallas last May. The eight-month break was a welcome one for the champion, who fought three times in 12 months before the dos Santos bout.

That time off refreshed Miocic, and it also allowed him to spend time with light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. The two spent a few days in Cleveland last summer taping a UFC show, and Cormier was impressed.

“It was amazing,” said Cormier, who will put his belt on the line vs. Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 220. “To go there and be in his environment and take in the feel of the city. Cleveland’s such a big sports city, and walking around with Stipe you saw he’s not only a fighter, he’s almost like another major-league sports team. They love what he brings to the city of Cleveland.”

As for Miocic, he said the game plan vs. Ngannou is intact. Now, he said, it’s time to execute that plan of attack.

“He has holes in his game, and I’ll find them, but everyone has holes, including me,” said Miocic. “The thing is he hasn’t faced anyone like me.”