The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Best to start with Stipe in this debate
Stipe Miocic is alone in the record books as the first heavyweight in the 25-year history of the UFC to defend the belt three straight times.
The Eastlake North graduate got there showing off some serious punching power along the way, but he set the UFC mark a different way. His wrestling skills were on full display in his unanimous decision victory Jan. 20 in Boston against Francis Ngannou.
Six single-leg takedowns were the key as Miocic dominated his opponent on the ground and improved to 18-2, and staked his claim as the best UFC heavyweight of all time.
In honor of Miocic’s six big take downs at UFC 220, here are six takeaways from the bout many were calling the biggest heavyweight title fight in UFC history:
Miocic needs to be in any and all discussions for no other reason than the fact no heavyweight has accomplished what he has. In the volatile world of MMA fighting — where one punch can end a bout in a blink — there’s something to be said for staying on top. Miocic’s been the champ going on two years this May.
Opinions will vary. Light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier — who defended his belt at the Boston event — said Miocic and Cain Valesquez are the top two on his all-time list, but wouldn’t reveal his No. 1.
Fabric Werdum was in attendance and spoke with reporters before the main event. Miocic knocked out Werdum to win the belt in May 2016. Werdum said he will pursue a rematch with Miocic.
A lot has happened since Miocic beat Werdum, including three title defenses by Miocic. He’s always humble. But with history made, it’s time to celebrate.
“Now (the record) means something to me. It’s me,” said Miocic. “I beat the guy (Ngannou) no one said I could beat. That makes it that much sweeter. The phenom. He’s one in a million. Blah, blah, blah. Guess what? He lost to a Midwest boy who’s 40 pounds lighter than him. I’m the greatest heavyweight.”
No argument here. Ask Miocic about the secret to his success, and he’ll quickly point to his coaching staff, which starts with head coach Marcus Marinelli.
Miocic’s experience as a standout wrestler in high school at Eastlake North (where he was a state runner-up as a senior) and at Cleveland State was a huge advantage against the powerful, but inexperienced Ngannou, who had no answer for Miocic’s barrage of single-leg takedowns. The plan also allowed Miocic to keep Ngannou on the ground, where he wasn’t able to wind up his power punches.
Ngannou looked confused, and at times was too exhausted to get up from the down position while the champion had him pinned against the cage. Attacking Ngannou’s legs was the game plan from the get-go, said Marinelli. Even though Miocic had a huge advantage in strikes (200 to 33) and significant strikes (70 to 21), Ngannou walked away from the octagon with little damage to his face.
Miocic paid the price as Ngannou landed a big right in Round 1. It left Miocic’s left eye badly swollen, but he chalks it up as part of the fight game.
Whoever the champion fights next — and it could be from a host of choices — that guy will have his hands full because Miocic showed the world he can beat any opponent in a variety of ways.
After title bouts, it’s custom for UFC president Dana White to place the belt around the champion’s waist. It didn’t happen that way after Miocic’s win.
Miocic grabbed the belt from White and gave it to Marinelli, who did the honors.
It’s been a reportedly frustrating time for Miocic and his team dealing with White. After Miocic’s win over Junior dos Santos in May 2017, the team stood firm wanting a new contract. Then in the buildup for UFC 220, Miocic felt disrespected by the attention lauded to Ngannou from White. It was also reported said the UFC president and Miocic were butting heads on business matters.
“I don’t know. I don’t really care,” said Miocic about the issues with he and White. “Those dudes there (pointing to his coaches) ... my family. They go to war with me, win, lose or draw. That’s my family. We all respect each other no matter the situation.”
Miocic was asked in his post-fight news conference if White respects him.
“I don’t know. I don’t really care,” he said. “I’m not worried about repairing anything. I don’t know. I called him out when he was saying we were butting heads. I called him out on that. That’s pretty funny. He said, ‘What are you talking about?’ He denied it.” Compared to Miocic’s last three fights — which all ended with first-round knockouts — the bout with Ngannou slowed to nearly a halt the last three rounds.
Sometimes, the best win is the smartest win, and that’s what Miocic delivered the fans at TD Garden. It wasn’t a thing of beauty from an excitement level, but the bottom line in MMA fighting is walking out of the octagon as the victor.
Fighters should never have to apologize for that.
The clearest path to victory for Miocic was staying clear of Ngannou’s punching power and attacking his opponent’s legs.
“His leg was there, so I’m gonna take him down,” said Miocic. “He’s a big dude. You want to get hit by him? He didn’t like it and he couldn’t get up. I wore him down. That was the game plan.”
It could be twotime champ Cain Velasquez. It could be a rematch with Werdum. It could be a dream matchup for the fans by pitting Cormier vs. Miocic. Or it could be a rematch with Ngannou.
Velasquez is the most logical next opponent for Miocic, if he can get healthy. Velasquez had been out with a bad back. But according to Cormier, Velasquez has been training. White said after Miocic knocked out dos Santos in May 2017 he expected Velasquez back soon, but nothing has been officially announced.
“People were saying leading up to (NgannouMiocic), it was the biggest heavyweight fight ever,” said Cormier. “The biggest heavyweight fight we’ll have is when (Miocic and Velasquez) fight.”
Asked what’s next for him, Miocic turned to his sense of humor.
“When my daughter’s born and she’s like 18, and starts dating. Every dude she starts dating … I’ll smash ’em,” said Miocic with a smile.
The champion said he refuses to change his persona to help the UFC sell pay-perviews. He won’t become a trash talker. He won’t pull wild antics similar to Conor McGregor.
Miocic said he will continue being himself, and maybe that’s enough. At UFC 220 in Boston, Miocic was the fan favorite against Ngannou.
“Heck yeah I heard the fans,” he said.
On Jan. 1, the UFC and Modelo began a partnership. It’s currently airing a “Fighting Spirit” ad campaign highlighting Miocic.
Perhaps selling Miocic to the public just takes time.
Perhaps not every fighter has to be a loud mouth to get a fan base behind him or her. White would be wise to let this play out for his heavyweight champion.
Contact Podolski at MPodolski@News-Herald. com; On Twitter: @mpodo