Stipe Miocic Reveals a Loss He'd Like to Avenge
Stipe Miocic Reveals a Loss He'd Like to Avenge
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has one blemish on his record he'd like to get back after UFC 203.
It’s been only four months since Stipe Miocic became the UFC heavyweight champion, but these days he has the confidence of a man that’s been on top of the mountain for years.
This weekend, Miocic defends his belt for the first time in his hometown of Cleveland at UFC 203 against Alistair Overeem. Suffice to say, the champ isn’t in any doubt who will have their hand raised on Saturday night.
“Overeem is a tough guy," Miocic told the UFC Unfiltered Podcast. "He’s a K-1 champ, he’s a good grappler, strong guy and just a good veteran. I’ve trained harder than I ever have before though and I have great coaches. We have a big game plan walking in so come Saturday I’m going to be walking out the champion with the belt still wrapped around my waist.”
A lot of experts are speculating that Overeem may utilize a grappling style attack mixed in with his usual standup on Saturday night. When asked if this had him worried, the champion said he wasn’t bothered in the slightest by his challenger’s game plan.
“He’s been doing real good keeping his distance and looking for his shots,” Miocic said. Honestly, wherever the fight goes—that's where it’s going to go and I’ll be comfortable. If it’s on the mat or it goes back to the feet I’m going to be comfortable.
“I’m not going to let him dictate what he wants to do. I’m going to do what I want to, and I’m not going to give him the opportunity to make me feel uncomfortable in the fight and make me make bad decisions.
“I’m going to have a great game plan," he added. "I’m going to keep my hands up and stay away from his big shots. I’m going to do what I want to do.”
When Miocic won the belt back at UFC 198 against Fabricio Werdum, he scaled the cage immediately after landing the knockout blow. The Croatian-American revealed to hosts Matt Serra and Ray Longo exactly what was going through his mind at that time.
“When I won I was like—oh my God,” Miocic said. “The reason I jumped over the cage wasn’t because I’d won, but because I just wanted to thank all my coaches and tell them it was worth all the time and effort they put into me. I was like ‘Look it was worth it I swear to God’. They’re amazing guys.”
Before going on his run of three wins to the title, Miocic was defeated by Junior Dos Santos in December 2014. While a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, Miocic still wants to avenge the loss and thinks it would be a good matchup for the future
“Yeah, of course—who doesn’t,” Miocic said when asked if he’d like to avenge his loss. “I don’t like losing man. I think Junior is a great guy and a great fighter. I think if we were to do it again it would be a great fight again. It would probably be another five-round war.”
This weekend, Miocic defends his belt for the first time in his hometown of Cleveland at UFC 203 against Alistair Overeem. Suffice to say, the champ isn’t in any doubt who will have their hand raised on Saturday night.
“Overeem is a tough guy," Miocic told the UFC Unfiltered Podcast. "He’s a K-1 champ, he’s a good grappler, strong guy and just a good veteran. I’ve trained harder than I ever have before though and I have great coaches. We have a big game plan walking in so come Saturday I’m going to be walking out the champion with the belt still wrapped around my waist.”
A lot of experts are speculating that Overeem may utilize a grappling style attack mixed in with his usual standup on Saturday night. When asked if this had him worried, the champion said he wasn’t bothered in the slightest by his challenger’s game plan.
“He’s been doing real good keeping his distance and looking for his shots,” Miocic said. Honestly, wherever the fight goes—that's where it’s going to go and I’ll be comfortable. If it’s on the mat or it goes back to the feet I’m going to be comfortable.
“I’m not going to let him dictate what he wants to do. I’m going to do what I want to, and I’m not going to give him the opportunity to make me feel uncomfortable in the fight and make me make bad decisions.
“I’m going to have a great game plan," he added. "I’m going to keep my hands up and stay away from his big shots. I’m going to do what I want to do.”
When Miocic won the belt back at UFC 198 against Fabricio Werdum, he scaled the cage immediately after landing the knockout blow. The Croatian-American revealed to hosts Matt Serra and Ray Longo exactly what was going through his mind at that time.
“When I won I was like—oh my God,” Miocic said. “The reason I jumped over the cage wasn’t because I’d won, but because I just wanted to thank all my coaches and tell them it was worth all the time and effort they put into me. I was like ‘Look it was worth it I swear to God’. They’re amazing guys.”
Before going on his run of three wins to the title, Miocic was defeated by Junior Dos Santos in December 2014. While a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, Miocic still wants to avenge the loss and thinks it would be a good matchup for the future
“Yeah, of course—who doesn’t,” Miocic said when asked if he’d like to avenge his loss. “I don’t like losing man. I think Junior is a great guy and a great fighter. I think if we were to do it again it would be a great fight again. It would probably be another five-round war.”