UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic is going to be defending the gold against Francis Ngannou in the main event of UFC 220.
While Miocic looks to leave the event as champion, one thing he believes is that the UFC wants Ngannou to win the gold.
“Obviously, for sure (the UFC wants him to lose),” Miocic said on The MMA Hour. “Listen, I feel a little bit disrespected, but I’m not going to dwell on it. He’s got more hype on him I guess. The guy hits super hard. We’re making a big thing about it. I’ve fought some good guys, you know? That’s how we are. I’m not much of a trash talker I just like to fight, that’s what I do.”
Miocic does have a chance to make history himself because a successful title defense would break the record for most consecutive heavyweight title defenses in the promotion. While waiting on an opponent, Miocic also had a minor contract dispute with the company, which is spoke to Fightful about recently.
The champion does know that when it comes to UFC 220, all the pressure is on the challenger.
“All the pressure is on him, honestly. … The best guys he’s faced, I knocked them out two years ago. So, whatever,” says Miocic.
UFC 220 takes place on Saturday, January 20 from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts with Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
