Miocic firm on fighting Cormier next

Stipe Miocic said he’s interested in fighting Francis Ngannou again, after reigning champ Daniel Cormier.

Stipe Miocic said he would have an interest in fighting Francis Ngannou again, but that potential rematch will have to wait. A day after Ngannou, the No. 3-ranked UFC heavyweight, knocked out former two-time champion Cain Velasquez in 26 seconds, Miocic reiterated on Feb. 18 he wants no other opponent next other than reigning champion Daniel Cormier.

The Eastlake North graduate went as far to call out Cormier to fight him in the main event at UFC 236 in April.

“Let’s do it on April 13,” said Miocic during an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s ESPN MMA Show.

UFC has yet to confirm a location or any fights for that event.

UFC president Dana White said early Feb. 18 following “UFC on ESPN 1” in Phoenix that Cormier does have his next fight lined up but would not announce the opponent because the current champ isn’t healthy.

“Cormier’s hurt right now, and we have another fight lined up for Cormier first,” said White. “We’ll see how this whole thing plays out. I would never announce a fight without it being done. It makes no sense. I don’t even know when Cormier will be ready.”

Cormier and White have said on numerous occasions WWE star and former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar would be the next opponent for Cormier. However, Lesnar is expected to appear at WrestleMania in April, and he has yet to be cleared to return to the octagon after a previously failed drug test.

Meanwhile, Miocic said he’s been training at his Strong Style gym and waiting for a rematch with Cormier.

“If you look at it, there isn’t a match to make in the heavyweight division other me and him,” said Miocic of Cormier.

Later during his appearance on Helwani’s show, Miocic said of a Cormier rematch: “I’ll never lose hope, I’m definitely gonna get it.”

Asked if he would again fight Ngannou — whom Miocic defeated in January 2018 to break the UFC heavyweight record for most consecutive title defenses at

three — if Cormier-Lesnar becomes official, he said: “Yeah, after I fight (Cormier).”

Miocic is 18-3, and currently the No. 1-ranked UFC heavyweight, but he has not fought since losing the belt to Cormier in Las Vegas last July. It was a fight Miocic said he was too overconfident in early in the bout.

For now, Miocic will continue playing the waiting game for Cormier. He also said he’s not confident a Lesnar-Cormier will ever happen. If that’s the case, Miocic said he will be ready to go vs. Cormier.

“I’ll step right in,” he said.

Miocic