Tai Tuivasa Wants To Fight Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic “Out Of Respect”

Tai Tuivasa is eyeing a contender fight with Stipe Miocic.

Tai Tuivasa Stipe Miocic
(via Tai Tuivasa & Stipe Miocic's Instagram pages)

Tai Tuivasa is hoping to get matched up against former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic.

The title picture in the UFC heavyweight division is up in the air. Current champion Francis Ngannou is at odds with the UFC over fighter pay and being restricted in what opportunities he can explore outside of the promotion despite being labeled an independent contractor.

Tai Tuivasa vs. Stipe Miocic?

Speaking to Farah Hannoun of MMAJunkie, Tai Tuivasa said he’s shooting his shot and calling for a scrap against Stipe Miocic.

“It’s definitely a fight that I think should be up next, especially if it’s a fight I want. I think the other guys are on the clock. I think we’re gonna be around for a few more years and out of respect I think I would love to share the [Octagon] with him and I think I’m up there for a chance of it. So, why not? Yeah, why not? I think he’s a great fighter, someone I’ve watched for many years and someone I’d definitely love to challenge myself against.”

Taking a look at Tuivasa’s body of work as of late, many could argue that he’s deserving of a number one contender fight. He is the number three-ranked UFC heavyweight and is riding a five-fight winning streak.

In that span, he’s beaten Derrick Lewis, Augusto Sakai, Greg Hardy, Harry Hunsucker, and Stefan Struve. “Bam Bam” scored a knockout or TKO in all of those fights.

Stipe hasn’t competed since March 2021 when he was knocked out by Ngannou, losing heavyweight gold in the process. Miocic will turn 40 years old this August and may solely be looking for title fights. He hasn’t had a non-title bout since Jan. 2016.

Published on March 9, 2022 at 12:09 pm
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