When Stipe Miocic suffered a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 again in 2021, he thought a trilogy struggle was inevitable.
Contemplating Miocic manhandled Ngannou of their first encounter three years earlier, it wasn’t a stunning request that he would get the rubber match to settle the trilogy. Sadly for Miocic, Ngannou ended up going through Ciryl Gane as an alternative 9 months later, aggravated a knee harm within the course of after which sat out to recuperate from surgical procedure earlier than coming into free company.
In the long run, Ngannou surrendered the UFC heavyweight title and opted to signal with the PFL whereas additionally crossing over to boxing for a pair of fights towards Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
“I used to be making an attempt. I used to be making an attempt to get the rematch,” Miocic stated about pursuing the Ngannou trilogy when chatting with MMA Combating. “Then he left and it didn’t occur sadly.
“Pay attention, I’m a fighter. I don’t work for the UFC internally and [figuring] out matchmaking. It’s what they wished to do and it’s what they did.”
As a lot as Miocic wished that third struggle towards Ngannou, he can’t fault the previous UFC heavyweight champion for opting to take a deal that might permit him to stay out his dream within the boxing ring and receives a commission a complete lot of cash to do it.
“Yeah in fact [I was bummed] as a result of I wished the rubber match,” Miocic stated. “But in addition on the similar level, he’s doing higher for himself and his household. I’m not mad at him. He’s doing nice.”
In his two fights crossing over to boxing, Ngannou took Fury to a razor-close determination loss after scoring a stunning knockdown on the previous heavyweight champion. Issues didn’t go as properly towards Joshua after Ngannou suffered a pair of knockdowns earlier than being completed with a vicious punch within the second spherical.
Miocic, a Golden Gloves boxer in his youth, admits he didn’t watch each of Ngannou’s fights, however he was nonetheless proud to see his former rival getting the possibility to compete towards two of the most effective heavyweights within the sport.
“I noticed clips of it,” Miocic stated concerning the boxing matches. “The primary one he did properly with Fury and sadly the second didn’t go properly with Joshua. Nevertheless it occurs. It’s preventing, something can occur.
“Some folks stated he gained [against Fury]. I didn’t see the entire struggle however lots of people stated he gained the struggle. He put him down. He did numerous issues. Pay attention, he satisfied that many individuals that he might [beat him]. Reveals that we are able to hold.”
Ngannou returned to MMA this previous October when he made quick work of Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut. As of now, he’s undecided on what comes subsequent.
With alternatives obtainable in each boxing and MMA, Ngannou can basically choose or select no matter he desires to do, but it surely appears extremely unlikely {that a} return to the UFC ever occurs. Ngannou stays at odds with UFC CEO Dana White and seems completely happy controlling his personal future.
Meaning there’s little to no probability that Miocic ever will get to settle the rating. As a lot as he as soon as wished the trilogy, he’s resolved in understanding that his rivalry with Ngannou ends at one win apiece.
“Pay attention, I’m OK with letting go,” Miocic stated. “I get it. As a lot as I might like to struggle him, I want him nothing however the most effective and it’s what it’s. We’re 1-1. That’s the way in which it is going to be. He bought the final one sadly.”
