Stipe Miocic calls Francis Ngannou just another dude.
Power puncher Francis Ngannou did his best to provoke Stipe Miocic during the UFC 220 press conference.
The UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic refused to take the lure, though.
Titan Francis Ngannou said of the upcoming fight,“I know he’s just proud here, like, ‘I’m the heavyweight champ.’ But he knows the guy that he’s going to fight. He knows he’s going to have a brawl that he’s never had in his career and even called him intimidating as they are heading to their bout.
Miocic just shrugged his shoulders and laughed it off. He didn’t seem to care much what Francis Ngannou said about him at any point.
The mega heavyweight fight potentially of all-time is weeks away, and it is curiously absent of trash talk.
Miocic is good at cracking jokes with friends and teammate but never been interested in trying to get into a verbal war with an opponent because none of that matters when it comes time to fight. Champ was speaking to Flocombat recently.
“[Franics Ngannou]’s tough, he’s big, strong, hits hard but he’s just another dude. That’s what it is. You’re telling me Mark Hunt doesn’t hit that hard? Or Roy Nelson? Or Junior dos Santos? Come on. He hits hard and definitely if you get hit square like that [it’s bad news], but I’m definitely going to keep my head up, keep my head on a swivel, and make sure I’m doing everything right.”
“I was there [at the UFC 220 press conference] so I don’t get fined. Let him do what he wants. He’s doing well. He’s doing something right, he’s fighting for the title. But like I said, as long as I’m here, nobody else is getting that belt. I worked way too hard to give it up. I sacrificed way too much to give it up. Unfortunately, as long as I’m here, no one’s getting that belt.”
"Why would I be intimidated by another man?" @StipeMiocicUFC
"Don't lie, Stipe. Don't lie." @Francis_Ngannou 😳#UFC220 pic.twitter.com/IYF41VkURy
— UFC (@ufc) December 29, 2017
Miocic isn’t downplaying the threat that Ngannou brings into their fight because he trains hard for any foe, especially given the golden stakes.
Miocic also refused to look into the spirit with which the UFC has promoted Francis Ngannou in advance of the fight, even when UFC brass Dana White appeared to step on his potential accomplishment.
Miocic is confident he will add Ngannou to his knockout list.
Ngannou and Stipe headlines at UFC 220 which is taking place on Jan. 20 pay-per-view event at TD Garden in Boston.
Are you excite to see there super fight? What’s your opinion who will emerge victoriously?
