Does Stipe deserve more respect after trilogy victory?
Arguably the greatest HW of all time, Stipe Miocic opens as underdog for next bout.
Stipe Miocic is coming off of the biggest win of his illustrious career, a second win over one of the best combat sport athletes we have seen, Daniel Cormier. Sure, an eye poke may have helped in some people’s minds, but you can’t take this win away from Miocic. He holds now two wins over the former double champ, one by TKO and one by decision.
With Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones being the betting man’s favorites for the man that’ll share the cage with Miocic next, Jon Jones has since vacated his LHW belt, which only strengthens a possible move to heavyweight. According to BestFightOdds.com, the heavyweight champion opens as an underdog to both possible matchups. A +190 to Francis Ngannou, and +130 to Jon Jones.
The Ngannou line may come as a shock to some, and not so much to others. Miocic has already fought the “predator” and dominated for five rounds to a unanimous decision victory at UFC 220. Since that date Ngannou has gone 4-1, in those four wins he has only been in the cage for approximately 3 minutes. Yet before fighting Miocic, Ngannou was coming off his most vicious KO of his career over Allistar Overeem, but Miocic still dominated at UFC 220.
Jones hasn’t lost a fight in his carer. Victories over Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustaffson, and Chael Sonnen. This line is much more believable, yet still swayed. Jones would have to come to Miocic’s world at anywhere between 230-260lbs. While still holding a reach advantage it would not be as wild as it is at light heavyweight. Who knows how the power translates, and being hit by a much stronger opponent, lots of variables with the move up in weight.
At the end of the day, Miocic deserves more respect. Some have spoken out calling him the greatest heavyweight the UFC has ever seen, others haven’t been willing to give him credit. With a resume including names such as Daniel Cormier (X2), Francis Ngannou, Junior Dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum and Roy Nelson. The list of former champions on Miocic’s resume, it is time he got the respect he deserves.
