Tai Tuivasa Eyes Stipe Miocic for Next Bout
On last Wednesday’s edition of the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Helwani spoke to Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa about his recent win over Derek Lewis and what may be next for the heavyweight.
When asked if the rumors are true about facing former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, Tuivasa tells Helwani “I think that that is the fight.”
He continues, “he’s been around, he’s older, and I don’t think he’ll have many more left.” Telling Helwani, “I’d like to have a crack at him before he goes.”
Tuivasa, who shocked the world at UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 with a brutal knockout of Derek Lewis has been on a rapid rise through the division. Before defeating Lewis, he stopped Augusto Sakai, Greg Hardy, Harry Hunsucker, and Stefan Struve.
TAI TUIVASA KOs DERRICK LEWIS @SpinninBackfist #UFC271
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 13, 2022
The guy Tai Tuivasa wants to see next, however, is one of the best heavyweights to walk the planet. Miocic currently holds the most wins in heavyweight title fights and has had two title reigns in the UFC. Despite losing his belt to Francis Ngannou in 2021, he holds notable victories over the likes of Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou, Junior Dos Santos, and Fabricio Werdum.
"TIL I DIE" 🏆
🐐 Stipe Miocic is the greatest heavyweight of all-time! #UFC252 pic.twitter.com/m5Xu2mxxsT
— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2020
Without an official announcement of the fight, Tuivasa feels rather confident it will happen. He states that “I just see my name’s number three, he’s number two” and that he can’t see why Miocic wouldn’t take the fight against him.
With Ngannou potentially out for a year or so, no word on Jon Jones heavyweight debut, and Cyril Gane’s recent title bout loss, this fight just makes sense. Whether for an interim belt or as a title eliminator, why not have these two face off?
