When Stipe Miocic suffered a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 again in 2021, he thought a trilogy combat was inevitable.
Contemplating Miocic manhandled Ngannou of their first encounter three years earlier, it wasn’t a surprising request that he would get the rubber match to settle the trilogy. Sadly for Miocic, Ngannou ended up dealing with Ciryl Gane as a substitute 9 months later, aggravated a knee damage within the course of after which sat out to get better from surgical procedure earlier than getting into free company.
Ultimately, 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.
“Hear, 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 combat towards Ngannou, he can’t fault the previous UFC heavyweight champion for opting to take a deal that might enable him to reside out his dream within the boxing ring and receives a commission a complete lot of cash to do it.
“Yeah after all [I was bummed] as a result of I wished the rubber match,” Miocic stated. “But additionally 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 choice loss after scoring a surprising knockdown on the previous heavyweight champion. Issues didn’t go as effectively 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 very best heavyweights within the sport.
“I noticed clips of it,” Miocic stated in regards to the boxing matches. “The primary one he did effectively with Fury and sadly the second didn’t go effectively with Joshua. Nevertheless it occurs. It’s preventing, something can occur.
“Some individuals stated he received [against Fury]. I didn’t see the entire combat however lots of people stated he received the combat. He put him down. He did plenty of issues. Hear, he satisfied that many individuals that he may [beat him]. Exhibits 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 out there in each boxing and MMA, Ngannou can primarily decide or select no matter he desires to do, however it appears extremely unlikely {that a} return to the UFC ever occurs. Ngannou stays at odds with UFC CEO Dana White and seems completely satisfied controlling his personal future.
Which means there’s little to no likelihood that Miocic ever will get to settle the rating. As a lot as he as soon as wished the trilogy, he’s resolved in realizing that his rivalry with Ngannou ends at one win apiece.
“Hear, I’m OK with letting go,” Miocic stated. “I get it. As a lot as I might like to combat him, I want him nothing however the very best and it’s what it’s. We’re 1-1. That’s the way in which it is going to be. He acquired the final one sadly.”
