The former UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic has been voicing his opinion lately loud and clear as 2018 is wrapping up and announcements for 2019 have been rolling out. The former champ has been expressing his frustrations with the organization even more than he usually does. Since losing his title to Daniel Cormier Stipe has essentially been pushed aside. It seems as if the heavyweight division is now put on hold until the UFC knows what is going on with Brock Lesnar.
Many suspected Daniel Cormier was gonna face Brock Lesnar after D.C. won the title, but that was not the case recently at UFC 230. Daniel Cormier faced Derrick Lewis for the UFC Heavyweight Championship and successfully defended his belt via rear-naked choke in the 2nd round after a dominating wrestling performance. After the bout, Daniel Cormier then proceeded to once again call out Brock Lesnar. Daniel Cormier has continued to push and protest that his retirement fight will be before his 40th birthday coming up soon in March with the opponent most likely going to be Brock Lesnar.
But what about the former champ who rightfully deserves a rematch Stipe Miocic? Where exactly does Stipe fit into the picture and title contention? Stipe came out recently and spoke on Daniel Cormier's recent performance at UFC 230. The Former champ was not impressed at all as stated: "D.C. defeated a guy with a lot of Instagram followers." Will the UFC just keep the #1 ranked Heavyweight in the division just sitting there scratching his head as he is ready to get back into the cage. Many would have thought it would have been Stipe that was fighting Daniel Cormier when UFC was at Madison Square Garden, but it is not too clear on why he did not get his rematch.
Stipe Miocic currently holds the record in the heavyweight division for the most successful title defenses with a total of 3. As he successfully defended the belt against Francis Ngannuo, Junior Dos Santos, and Alistair Overeem after he knocked out Fabricio Werdum to win the title. But if Stipe has to wait until this Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar situation to clear up in the meantime should he take another fight? If he does who should it be against? There are a few faces in the top 10 that would be an interesting fight for Miocic, but he clearly has his eyes locked on Daniel Cormier.
Upcoming in Beijing, China the UFC will be at the Cadillac Arena on November 25th as the dominating force that is Curtis "Razor" Blaydes will have his rematch against Francis Ngannuo, so a fight between Stipe and Blaydes is out of the question if Stipe was willing to take another opponent in the meantime.
Stipe Miocic did not necessarily recognize Derrick Lewis when he made those comments about him but with both fighters being in the Top 5 it seems too much of a risk for Stipe to risk that #1 spot in the Heavyweight Division, especially when we consider that "The Black Beast" Derrick Lewis just lost to the Heavyweight Champion.
