Right now, the world is waiting on an official announcement on what’s next for the UFC‘s heavyweight division. Francis Ngannou (16-3) defeated Stipe Miocic (20-4) back at UFC 260 to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
After the fight was over, we thought we’d be getting Ngannou versus Jon Jones (26-1, 1 NC) next. However, financial negotiations between Jones and the UFC have not gone over well and as of now, the promotion is moving in a different direction.
Derrick Lewis (25-7, 1 NC) is the top contender in the heavyweight division who is also waiting for a title shot. The Black Beast holds a victory over Ngannou and he’s riding a four-fight win streak.
UFC president Dana White spoke to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto and told him that the promotion was doing Ngannou – Lewis 2 next. Stipe Miocic has come out and said that he is fully intending on getting his UFC heavyweight title back.
Miocic said that he plans to bulk up before a trilogy with Ngannou. When made aware of these comments by Okamoto, White said that he loved it. Then he smiled and suggested the UFC do Miocic versus Jones in the interim.
UFC: Jones vs Miocic?
In a serious of deleted tweets that were later posted by MMA Junkie, the former UFC light heavyweight champion shot down the idea of fighting Miocic. Jones made it clear that he wants to fight Ngannou next and he will wait for that fight.
“Don’t get excited people, I’m not fighting Stipe…I’m not here to fight Stipe but I will defend my belt against him no problem. I’m looking for the biggest draw and I’m willing to wait. 33 years old I’m a better athlete right now than I’ve ever been before. I’m just going to keep training my ass off… The world wants to see some black on black crime right now and I’m going to give it to them.”
Jones is right about one thing; the biggest fight the UFC can make is Jones versus Ngannou. However, that isn’t what’s going to be next. We will likely see Ngannou rematch with Derrick Lewis in August.
If Ngannou comes out of that fight victorious, the UFC will likely try to book the Jones fight again for the end of the year. If that fight happens at the end of the year, Stipe Miocic will likely be waiting in the wings next spring.