Stipe Miocic is ready to take on Jon Jones during International Fight Week.
There was a big heavyweight title fight this past weekend. UFC 285 featured a bout between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title. Coming into the fight all eyes were on Jones after he left the light heavyweight division and made the move to heavyweight. He took three years away to bulk up and prepare for this move. Now that Jones is holding the UFC belt around his waist, he has already set his sights on the next challenge.
When former champion Francis Ngannou decided to leave the UFC many thought that Jones would be facing Stipe Miocic in his heavyweight debut. Miocic has the most title defense in UFC heavyweight history. When the UFC decided to go with Jones vs. Gane, it was assumed that Miocic would be next. Now he is stating for a fact that is exactly what he has been promised.
While speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour Miocic said the UFC had promised him the winner even before UFC 285. Now that Jones is the champ, Miocic says the date is set for July 8, International Fight Week. He is confident that he will be the man that can beat Jones and regain his heavyweight title.
“They told me I would have winner,” he said. “No, question about it, I’m going to win.”
Stipe Miocic thinks Ciryl Gane got intimidated by the big moment of UFC 285
Miocic is not a man that hangs around UFC events. In addition to being a fighter, he is also a full-time firefighter, so he is very busy at home. He was in the arena for UFC 285 per request of the UFC and gave his thought on the fight. He admitted that he was expecting a long five-round brawl and think perhaps Gane got a bit overwhelmed by the moment. He was asked bout this on the show.
“Yes, 100 percent,” he said. “I think he just got caught up in the moment, in the bright lights. I just don’t think he expected things to happen like it did. We’ve all been there.”
Miocic was not ready to give too many details on the future of his fighting career. He is determined to hand Jones his first real loss, the only one on his record came from a DQ, and then will assess his next steps after. If he decided to stay in the UFC for a while perhaps he will have his chance with Gane as well.
