The UFC has simply introduced Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title in March, and it appears like they might have a strong follow-up to that within the wings.
Former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic — who simply so occurs to carry the report for many heavyweight title defenses in UFC historical past — appeared on Twitter for the primary time because the begin of December to name dibs on the winner of Jones vs. Gane.
“March 4th – I prefer it,” Miocic wrote. “I bought winner in July.”
Miocic hasn’t fought since a second spherical KO loss to Francis Ngannou in March 2021. That didn’t cease him from being named the subsequent most suitable choice ought to Ngannou go away the UFC with out preventing Jon Jones. There was even discuss of Jones vs. Miocic headlining UFC 282 in December, however the UFC reportedly didn’t put an excessive amount of effort into securing Stipe’s providers.
March 4th – I prefer it.
I bought winner in July.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) January 15, 2023
“They didn’t actually come right with a suggestion – and that’s actually what occurred right here,” The MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani mentioned again in November. “It was like a ‘Hey, you wanna combat him, right here’s the quantity, take it or go away it.’ And [Stipe Miocic] was like ‘Uuuuh,’ after which they only moved on.”
In order that tells you ways a lot respect the UFC is granting to a person who has the statistical proper to name himself the best heavyweight in UFC historical past. Will he have the ability to return after over two years away from the game proper right into a title shot? Possibly not, however maybe a match-up in opposition to Curtis Blaydes or Sergei Pavlovich within the meantime may assist lock issues in.
Blaydes is at the moment on a 3 combat win streak, however his final win was a wonky one after Tom Aspinall blew his knee out simply 15 seconds into their contest. Not many individuals are lining as much as face him, however Miocic could be a really fascinating opponent given his wrestling credentials. Pavlovich is on a 5 combat KO run, and he simply KO’d Tai Tuivasa in his final outing in December. That will be one other nice combat.
The UFC heavyweight division has been in a wierd state of limbo for the final 12 months because the promotion and Francis Ngannou performed a sport of hen over his future with the corporate. Stipe has been out for almost two years. Jon Jones has been out for even longer. Simply the thought of the heavyweight title being fought for in March after which once more in July is gorgeous to ponder.
Let’s hope issues come collectively and that occurs, irrespective of who finally ends up holding the belt and who would possibly problem for it.
