Stipe Miocic backs UFC rival Francis Ngannou to beat Tyson Fury in Saudi clash

28 September 2023 , 06:15

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Stipe Miocic backs UFC rival Francis Ngannou to beat Tyson Fury in Saudi clash

UFC legend Stipe Miocic has said that he is backing his long-time heavyweight title rival Francis Ngannou to win his boxing fight with Tyson Fury next month.

The duo had a series of exciting world title fights, with Miocic embarrassing Ngannou in his first UFC loss when they competed for the belt in 2018. Ngannou got his own back three years later when he viciously knocked out the two-time champion to finally claim the title in front of an empty arena during the coronavirus era.

Now, Ngannou has left the promotion as champion, with Miocic set to face Jon Jones this November for the belt that was vacated earlier this year when he walked out. And the Ohio native wants to see his old rival get the victory, after being frustrated in his efforts to put together a trilogy fight.

“I really wanted to have a rematch with Francis," Miocic told the New York Post ahead of his UFC 295 showdown with Jones, which will be his first fight back after that 2021 KO. "Unfortunately, he left for bigger and better things, so good for him. After that, all I wanted was Jon Jones.

"It definitely sucks, I definitely wanted that trilogy, but unfortunately, that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Listen, he’s onto bigger and better things. On paper, Tyson Fury is one of the best boxers of all time, amazing at what he does but Francis hits really hard. It’s a fight, anything can happen. I wish him nothing but the best. I hope he shocks the world.”

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It seems unlikely that Ngannou will ever give Miocic that trilogy at this stage, with the Cameroonian set to make his PFL MMA debut after he fights Fury. Instead, the American is happy to get his chance at the belt for a rare third time, this time headlining in New York City against a man widely considered the sport's greatest ever fight.

“It’s a fight I’ve always wanted," Miocic said of facing Jones for the heavyweight title. "It doesn’t get much bigger than Jon Jones and it’s a fight he wanted as well. So I think it doesn’t get bigger than that and especially Madison Square Garden, Veteran’s Day, it’s awesome.

“I think retirement was a consideration after every fight I’ve had since UFC 136 when I fought Joey Beltran. So, it’s always been in the back of my mind.”

Donagh Corby