The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Miocic eyes wintertime for next fight
Since he defended his belt in May, Stipe Miocic hasn’t said much concerning the status of his contract, or when he might next fight.
The UFC heavyweight champion recently provided some clarity on both.
While making an appearance on the MMA Hour, the Eastlake North graduate said it’s likely he will fight in December or January.
History will be on the line when Miocic next steps into the octagon. He’s defended his belt twice — against Alistair Overeem in September 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena and last May vs. Junior dos Santos in Dallas.
No heavyweight has defended the belt more than two times. A win will surely begin discussions as Miocic being the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.
First thing’s first — Miocic’s next fight appears likely to happen during the winter months.
“We’re talking,” said Miocic on the MMA Hour. “I’m probably looking at December or the end of January.
“Definitely, it’s all good. I’ve got a great management team and they’re doing everything they’re supposed to. We’re talking, it’s all good.”
His next opponent is anyone’s guess, although former two-time champ Cain Velasquez appeared to be the favorite early on.
“I’d love to fight Cain,” Miocic recently told The News-Herald.
However, Velasquez is recovering from injuries and it’s unclear he will be ready in the next few months.
Other options include top 10 heavyweights Francis Ngannou or Alexander Volkov, and possibly a rematch with Overeem.
Ngannou was set to fight dos Santos at UFC 215, but dos Santos was hit with a doping violation, so that fight never happened.
Whoever he tangles with next, Miocic expects a tough bout.
“There are a lot of guys that are there already,” said Miocic. “In the heavyweight division anything can happen on any night, you know? That’s what’s scary about the division. No matter how good you are there is always somebody that can beat you.
“We haven’t talked about who the opponent is yet, but they’re thinking December or January so we’ll see.”
The fact Miocic and his management team are in discussions is a good sign pertaining to his contract.
The dos Santos fight was the second consecutive in which Miocic reportedly earned less than the challenger he knocked out in the first round.
UFC 211, held in Dallas last May, was the event where Miocic KO’d dos Santos in 2 minutes, 22 seconds.
The Texas Athletic Commission reportedly does not release fighter paydays, so exact dollar amounts for each fighter from UFC 211 are unknown. A source told The News-Herald after the fight dos Santos’ pay day was more than Miocic’s.
What was made public were the pay days for Miocic’s first title defense at Quicken Loans Arena at UFC 203 in September 2016.
Miocic knocked out Overeem in Round 1, but Overeem walked away with a reported $850,000 pay day with Miocic earning $650,000.
If Ngannou, who’s 10-1 and a 31-year-old from Paris, is his next opponent, Miocic will be ready.
“(Ngannou’s) been running through people and he’s getting better in every fight,” said Miocic. “He’s definitely a great up-andcomer and he’s got a great future ahead of him.
“Listen, whoever the UFC wants me to fight, I’ll fight — Overeem, or whoever’s next. Volkov ... he’s a tough guy too. You know, or Cain, whoever they say I’m not going to back down.”