Stipe Miocic says Daniel Cormier rematch means more than UFC title
When we open up the MMA history books and look at who the longest reigning champions in each UFC division are, at the very top you would see the name ‘Stipe Miocic’.
Miocic, the former champion of the
Unfortunately for the defending champion in Miocic, he would suffer defeat on this night thus making Cormier a dual-division champion.
Since then, it’s been the only fight that he’s wanted.
“Oh, 100 percent,” Miocic told MMA Fighting when asked if a Cormier rematch means more than regaining the title. “It’s everything. Just because I know I’m the better fighter. I believe I’m the better fighter. In my heart.
“I felt like I was winning the fight. I felt like I kind of got off track of what I was doing, not doing my usual and listening to the game plan. And just kind of overstepped what I needed to do and he caught me with a punch — a punch I didn’t see. I’ll say to this day, he doesn’t hit as hard as [Francis] Ngannou. It was just right on the button, right where it needed to be.”
For Miocic, since the fight has happened he has gone onto have a baby girl. And with that comes an added motivation.
Already fighting for himself and his wife, there is now that greater purpose.
“It wasn’t like he was wiping the floor with me,” Miocic said. “I just knew I was the better fighter in there. And let me tell you something, next time it happens, next time we fight, you’ll see a different fighter. A whole new me. A lot has changed.
“My plan, of course, is to get that rematch,” Miocic said. “I’ve been saying that this whole time. We’ll see what happens. Just right now, I’m in the gym getting better every day, loving life, enjoying my daughter every day, watching her grow up.”
With neither fighter having anything lined up at the moment, is there a possibility that the rematch does end up happening next?
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/4/2019
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Stipe Miocic UFC
