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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion, Junior dos Santos, does not approve of Francis Ngannou disrespecting fellow fighter and current 265-pound kingpin, Stipe Miocic, because “The Predator” got lucky his last time out.
Lady Luck sure has been busy these last few months.
That’s why the Brazilian is planning to humble Ngannou if and when they manage to run it back, though I’m not sure anyone besides Dos Santos would be interested after he got knocked out by the former heavyweight title contender when they headlined UFC Minneapolis back in June.
“Miocic is a good boxer, and now there’s Ngannou talking a bunch of crap, saying he’s the best boxer in the heavyweight division, because he was lucky to defeat me,” Dos Santos told MMA Fighting. “He’s not, and never will be. I’ll prove that soon and shut that little mouth so he stops talking nonsense. He’s a very strong guy, of course, and must be respected. He had a great win over me, but real fighters keep their results. We’ll see what happens soon.”
I guess lucky is better than sloppy.
Dos Santos (21-6) is expected to headline the UFC Fight Night 167 event against Curtis Blaydes when the promotion makes its debut in Raleigh, North Carolina, this January on ESPN+ (more on that fight here).
As for Ngannou (14-3), he’s been clamoring for the winner of the Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy, which has yet to be booked, and things could get complicated if “DC” recaptures the crown and retires from UFC, vacating the strap in the process.