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UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic won’t fight during the coronavirus lockdown.
You can add UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic to the list of fighters who don’t want to compete during the coronavirus outbreak.
Miocic, 37, says he wouldn’t fight as his Strong Style MMA gym in Cleveland, Ohio is closed due to the virus. The heavyweight champion won his title back in August of last year against Daniel Cormier at UFC 241, after losing it the previous year to Cormier.
Talking recently to theScore, Miocic revealed he won’t fight during the lockdown.
“There’s no way,” Miocic said when asked about fighting during COVID-19. “I can’t get a full camp in, so there’s no reason to fight.
“It’s tough because I have a lot of things going on in my world – my daughter, make sure she’s OK – going to work,” Miocic said. “I’m just trying to do the best that I can.”
The UFC is continuing to move forward hosting cards despite other major sporting events around the world being postponed or cancelled. The first event back for the promotion takes place next weekend, UFC 249 on May 9th, with other events lined up but not yet announced.
Miocic is expected to face Cormier in a trilogy fight when he makes his eventual return to the Octagon.