"I know that I could have lost" - When Francis Ngannou explained picking underdog Stipe Miocic against Jon Jones ahead of canceled 2023 fight
Francis Ngannou placed his support behind Stipe Miocic to defeat Jon Jones before their scheduled bout ultimately fell apart. Miocic was originally set to face reigning heavyweight champion Jones in the headline bout at UFC 295 in November 2023. However, just weeks before the clash, 'Bones' withdrew due to a torn pectoral muscle, pushing the fight back indefinitely.
During an interview with Shak MMA in October 2023, 'The Predator' boldly backed Miocic, who was considered a heavy underdog at the time, to overcome Jones. Ngannou, having faced the former heavyweight champion twice in the octagon, expressed that Miocic was being unfairly overlooked heading into the bout:
"[If I had to pick a winner], it would have to be Stipe. Stylistically... I fought Stipe twice, and I think Stipe doesn't have the credit he deserves. Obviously, I won the second time, still I know that I could have lost that time."
He added:
"I mean, he fought [Daniel Cormier] three times, and you can see how he fought, and also, this is a different weight class for Jon Jones. This is heavyweight, and I think it's slightly different from light heavyweight."
Check out Francis Ngannou's comments below (7:17):
Ngannou first crossed paths with Miocic at UFC 220 in January 2018, where the American emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, successfully defending his heavyweight title. However, 'The Predator' exacted his revenge at UFC 260 in March 2021, securing a second-round knockout to become the champion.
Miocic is now rebooked to challenge Jones in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 309, taking place this weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Stipe Miocic reveals he was advocating for trilogy before Francis Ngannou's UFC exit
Given that both Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou have a victory over each other, a trilogy fight seemed like the most fitting way to settle their rivalry once and for all.
Regrettably for Miocic, Ngannou ultimately squared off against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. After that, 'The Predator' vacated his heavyweight title and parted ways with the UFC due to a contract dispute.
During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Miocic revealed that he had been actively seeking a trilogy bout with Ngannou, but unfortunately, the matchup never came to fruition:
"I was trying. I was trying to get the rematch. ,Then he left and it didn’t happen, unfortunately. Listen, I’m a fighter. I don’t work for the UFC internally and [figuring] out matchmaking. It’s what they wanted to do, and it’s what they did."
Miocic admitted that while he was disappointed the trilogy fight never materialized, he expressed happiness for Ngannou, acknowledging that the former champion pursued lucrative financial opportunities:
"Yeah, of course [I was bummed] because I wanted the rubber match. But also, at the same point, he’s doing better for himself and his family. I’m not mad at him. He’s doing great."
Check out Stipe Miocic's comments below (3:42):