Miocic has the chance to distance himself

Opinions vary, but the results on paper don’t.

The results say Stipe Miocic is the greatest heavyweight in UFC history. He’s the only heavyweight to defend his belt three straight times. The facts don’t always sway opinions, especially when the current champion’s name is mentioned.

A few hours before Miocic thoroughly dismantled No. 1-ranked contender Francis Ngannou in January at UFC 220 in Boston, I asked Fabricio Werdum, in attendance that night at TD Garden, if Miocic should be considered the greatest heavyweight of all time. The former champion wouldn’t go there.

“He still has more to do,” said Werdum, who lost the title belt when Miocic floored him with a short right in 2016 a few minutes into his first title defense — in front of his home fans in Brazil.

While Miocic certainly has his backers, especially in Northeast Ohio, it’s that type of talk that has to confuse and frustrate Miocic and those close to him.

He showed some of that frustration during a postfight news conference following his dominant win over Ngannou. But for the most part the champion keeps his thoughts and feelings to himself.

That’s because Miocic has to know this: As long as he keeps winning, he will keep distancing himself when greatestof-all-time discussions arise.

The best news for Miocic? It’s all there in front of him, and the next challenge awaits almost a month from now on July 7 in Las Vegas at UFC 226.

Ngannou was the talk of the UFC before his fight with Miocic thanks to his vicious knockout of Top 5 contender Alistair Overeem. That helped steer the narrative of it being a super fight. Ngannou, still relatively new to UFC, wasn’t ready for that moment.

Cormier, 39, is a legit champion, so the talk of this being super fight II for Miocic is also legit.

Miocic might have a second super fight to prepare for, but another type of preparation is super hectic. His wife Ryan is expecting their first child, a daughter, in August.

Until then, Miocic said he’s focused on the challenge of Cormier, a former Olympic wrestler who’s dangerous on the mat.

“There’s a lot of challenges (in fighting Cormier),”

Miocic said recently at his Independence-based gym Strong Style. “He’s a great wrestler, and he’s strong. He knows how to win. He’s fought big heavyweights (before). He’s confident. There’s a lot of things (to be worried about with him). But, you know, he still hasn’t faced anyone like me yet. It’s going to be a tough time (for him) when he steps in the octagon as he realizes he can’t do anything right.”

Cormier’s punching power is also something to wary of, but Miocic (18-2) pointed out, “There’s no way he hits as hard as Ngannou.”

The only loss Cormier (20-1) has endured during his career was a fiveround unanimous decision to Jon Jones in 2015. He also lost a rematch with Jones in 2017. But that was overturned to a no-contest when Jones failed a drug test. Cormier’s last bout since the rematch with Jones was against Volkan Oezdemir as the main bout on UFC’s 220 undercard in Boston. Cormier overwhelmed Oezdemir after taking him down. The bout was stopped with two minutes remaining in the first period.

Cormier is moving up a weight class looking to become a two-division champion, but it will be a tall order for the 5-foot-11 fighter — literally. Cormier will be giving up five inches to the 6-4 Miocic, and most likely 15 to 20 pounds.

“I’m definitely going to use (every advantage) I have, but we’ll see,” said Miocic. “My coaches have been watching film, and they already have a game plan. They already told me about it but honestly I don’t even worry about that. About two weeks out, I’ll start watching film on him.”

Miocic said talks of the Cormier bout began before he fought Ngannou, but he told UFC officials no to the offer. After he beat Ngannou, the UFC asked again.

“Then I talked to my wife and she said it was OK,” said Miocic.

If he beats Cormier, Miocic could be running out of opponents. He’s already beaten Ngannou (the No. 1 contender), Overeem (No. 2), Mark Hunt (No. 6), Junior dos Santos (No. 7), and Andrei

Arlovski (No. 9). Werdum, who was previously in the top 3 rankings, failed a drug test on May 22, and is facing a UFC anti-doping violation. He’s recently been taken out of the UFC’s Top 15 heavyweight rankings.

“There will be someone new, there always is,” said Miocic.

That someone new could be the popular WWE wrestler Brock Lesnar, who’s also a former UFC heavyweight champion. UFC president Dana White recently said Lesnar is returning to the sport. If and when that happens, the rumors of Lesnar fighting the winner of CormierMiocic will go into overdrive.

“I’m not worried about (Lesnar),” said Miocic.

Miocic knows that discussion is for a later date, and will only be possible with a win over Cormier. His legacy as the UFC’s heavyweight GOAT is on the line.

“I’m worried about Cormier,” said Miocic. “That’s all I care about.”