The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Miocic on doorstep of history, eyes redemption
The work is done for Stipe Miocic.
Now it’s a matter of finishing the deal May 13 in Dallas. If he does that, he will be on the doorstep of history. A win ties the UFC heavyweight record for most title defenses at two.
Miocic, an Eastlake North graduate, puts his championship belt on the line against No. 4-ranked Junior dos Santos, the last fighter to hand Miocic a loss. It’s the main event at UFC 211 at American Airlines Arena.
There’s more on the line for Miocic on May 13 — a chance at revenge and redemption.
Most times, defending a championship belt is enough for a fighter. Making good on a previous loss in a rematch can be a double-whammy on the motivation meter.
“He wants this victory so bad,” Miocic’s coach Marcus Marinelli said. “He’s the heavyweight champion of the world and deserves to be a long-standing champion, but he’s also got a chance to avenge a loss. That was a loss, make no mistake. We lost. The judges said we lost.”
Miocic (16-2) fought dos Santos (18-4) in December 2014 in a tough and bloody five-round unanimous decision that went to dos Santos.
The bout featured haymakers
galore with each taking the other’s best punch.
Neither Miocic and dos Santos are looking forward to another fight that goes the distance.
“It’s not going five rounds,” said Miocic. “I’ll do whatever it takes, and I’m walking out of that ring with the belt.”
The challenger smiled on May 11 revealing his prediction.
“Two rounds,” said dos Santos, holding up two fingers.
Miocic said that’s not happening.
“You’ll see what I’ve got,” Miocic saod. “I guarantee it. I guarantee it. He’s getting smashed.”
Four heavyweights have
defended their title twice. None have done it three times. Asked why it’s been so difficult for heavyweights defending their belts, Miocic replied: “Because it hasn’t been me.”
Miocic added he’s “not thinking about that right now,” and all that matters for the champ is the fight with dos Santos.
On the other side, dos Santos said the win over Miocic is a nice mark on his legacy but the bout from about two-and-a-half years ago won’t have a big impact on the May 13 main event.
“For me, it’s over,” dos Santos said. “It was a good experience. I learned a lot from (the Miocic fight). We can’t underestimate no one. That guy, he hits very hard.
“I have a lot of respect for him because he’s a good guy and a good champion. He represents us well in the division, but there’s only one room for a champion.”
Confidence is surrounding the Miocic camp, Marinelli said. Before Miocic’s last fight — a first-round knockout of Alistair Overeem at Quicken Loans Arena — Marinelli said his fighter improved about 10 percent to 15 percent from the previous bout.
“It’s just different,” Marinelli said. “I don’t know what it is. His focus is better. His body position is better. His power is better. His endurance is better. Can’t really put a percentage on it, but everything is coming together. It’s the most focused I’ve seen him.”
Here’s the rest of the UFC 211 main card:
• In the co-main event, strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk takes on Jessica Andrade. Jedrzejczyk (13-0) won her championship belt in 2015 in Dallas. Andrade (16-5) was once Jedrzejczyk’s sparring partner.
• Eddie Alvarez (28-5), who lost to Conor McGregor last November, takes on Dustin Poirier (21-5) in a lightweight battle.
• Krzysztof Jotko (19-1) fights David Branch (20-3) in a middleweight bout.
• In welterweight action, Demian Maia fights Jorge Masvidal.