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Stipe Miocic reclaimed the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight title last weekend (Sat., Aug. 17, 2019) by knocking out Daniel Cormier in the fourth round in the main event of UFC 241 (highlights) in Anaheim, Calif.
With “DC” not committing to retirement just yet, the door is very open for a potential trilogy fight between the two big men, seeing as how the series is now tied at one a piece. Of course, Francis Ngannou is also waiting in the wings, hoping to get another chance at winning UFC gold.
“To be honest, I think I should fight the winner, regardless of who won the fight. Since it was Stipe, I think it would be good for me to have my rematch and the title shot,” said Francis during a recent edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.
“We have to do what needs to be done, I think I deserve the title shot so I should have it.”
Stipe and Francis initially threw down at UFC 220 back in early 2018. After five rounds of action, Stipe won a lackluster decision, earning him his record-breaking third straight title defense before coughing up the belt in his next fight to Cormier.
Since then, Francis has gone 3-1 in including winning his last three contests via first round knockout, taking out Curtis Blaydes, Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez in a combined time of two minutes and 23 seconds. Despite his recent resurgence, Francis has not been told he’s up next.
Something the big man finds very frustrating.
“I haven’t been told that. I am confident but I don’t know exactly what is happening with UFC executives and what is their mindset,” he said. “I see that they are not really clear on the answer of me deserving the title shot or where I’m fighting next. I don’t know what it is. I don’t understand why it’s not clear for them to say. It is a very frustrating situation right now. It’s not only what I want, but it makes sense.”
Of course, UFC could very well throw a curve ball and book a 265-pound title fight between Miocic and current Light Heavyweight king, Jon Jones. While it’s not exactly something Dana White and Co. have brought up, Jones has pondered a move up, and at one time teased a fight against Stipe.
Furthermore, Jones doesn’t have a fight lined up at the moment and there isn’t a clear-cut No. 1 contender at 205 pounds waiting for him. So if UFC decides to throw “Bones” in their against Stipe, we will have one pissed off “Predator.”
“So because I think I should be next in the line, it should be me, so yes, I would be upset about that,” said Francis.
That said, the dust has barely settled inside Honda Center following UFC 241, so the 265-pound championship picture should be cleared up in the following weeks pending “DC’s” decision regarding his fighting future.
What do you feel is the right play to make at 265 pounds?