MMA Fighting - Stipe Miocic On His UFC 260 Rematch Against Francis Ngannou and Future Fight with Jon Jones

Episode Date: March 24, 2021

UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic previews his upcoming rematch against Francis Ngannou at UFC 260, what he expects to be different this time around as well as addressing Jon Jones moving to the division as well as his legacy in the sport. Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. Damon Martin MMAFighting.com, and I am here with the reigning, defending, UFC heavyweight champion of the world in Ohio Zone. Steepi Miotich, Steepi, I just did my best Bruce Buffer. How did I do? Fantastic, brother. How is everything, man? Obviously, you know, I got to admit, it kind of bums me out because of the pandemic. I haven't been able to come up to Cleveland and visit you for the last two fights.

Yeah, I mean, at least we get talks, though. That's true. That's true. It's just weird. I'm like, you live two hours up the road for me. I'm just like, man, I was like, I remember when it was going to the D.C. rematch, I was like, there's no way I'm going to that gym and having even the smallest chance that I give Steve C.E. COVID.

I am not messing up this fight. No, yeah, no, I appreciate that. Yeah, I mean, sooner. It'll be over soon, I hope. It's looking better. So we'll see. Yeah. How has that been for you?

I mean, obviously, you've been in camp, but with the firehouse and everything. Like, have you been vaccinated yet? Have you, because you are a frontline worker. No, no, I haven't been vaccinated. But, I mean, I'm careful when I wash my hands. I wear masks when I have to, wear gloves when I, you know, and I don't have you're calling masks. And we're smart about it.

You know, we take every protocol that we need to take. Yeah, I was listening to your podcast. I heard one of your buddies on your podcast got vaccinated. I think you said it was like the day after. Did he sprout a third head or anything? Like afterwards, I didn't hear the full aftermath, him getting the vaccine. No, he's good. He just, you know, he had a little achy and sore.

just like having the flu, I guess. It was like, you know, something to that point. It was just, you just be up and sore and just didn't feel well, but the next day it was fine. Yeah. How is the podcast? I've been listening, just awkward buddies is the podcast. A lot of fun. How did that whole thing start?

It's been going great. We love it. You just, you know, two of my buddies and we just, you know, we talk well with each other. We just, you know, have a good time with it. And it's been like four years in the making. And, you know, we talked about it. And two years ago, I bought the stuff. I just never, you know, never panned out.

and then finally just said, screw it, we're doing it, and we just did it, and here we are. I feel like after listening to you and Volante talk, I feel like you need to add him in to tell more camp stories, because I feel like that guy would be full of steep stories. Yeah, if you live in town, he would be part of him. There's no question. I was enjoying his story about was it the Barley House, the shirting incident? I thought that was pretty good. Yeah, it was, uh, he's a hot mess and fine.

That's why I love the guy. Absolutely, absolutely. So with that being said, obviously, the pandemic in Ohio has, you know, alternate change. Obviously, it's a lot different than it was when you tried to get into camp the last time. So how has it been this time around? Because we've been a lot more opened up than a lot of states. Obviously, we're not fully opened up.

But, I mean, we are, we're still wearing masks and things like that. But, you know, no, we're not locked down quite as hard. How has it been for this camp versus the last one for D.C.? Yeah, it's about the same. You know, we're doing the same thing we did last camp. You know, I just, this time, we can't use a pull because it's winter out. You know, I'm using the rec center, so that's open, which is good. So, yeah, I mean, it's about the same.

You know, it just sucks that. We can't really, you know, live normal life right now because we're going to wear masks all the time, which, you know, it's better safe than sorry. And, you know, we'll get past that. But, yeah, I mean, it's about the same, honestly. Yeah. It feels like there is an end goal in sight, though. I'm actually getting vaccinated today after we talk.

Good stuff. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So it feels like we're coming towards the end. Obviously, I'm sure you saw the show in April. They're doing in Florida with fans. So, you know, it seems like we are starting to get back to some sense of normalcy now.

Yeah, you know, that's what I'm hoping for us. Yeah. Now, before we get to the fight stuff, I also got to say congratulations because I saw you and Ryan have a baby boy on the way. Yeah, my wife's pregnant. She's, you know, she had having the baby in August. So we're super excited, you know, blessed. We have one, but, you know, went out more and make a little bit more. and make a little army.

So, you know, we got two. You know, if it was a girl, I would have been, I would have been just as happy. You know, I just, I want to one of each. But, you know, my wife said if we had another girl, we've been trying for another one to get a boy because she wants to have a head one on her side because she's definitely a daddy's girl. I know you have absolutely embraced fatherhood. How excited are you for, for baby number two?

You know, I am excited, but then I was thinking the other night, like, man, we're waking up early and every couple hours, you know, which I don't care. Like, you know, but it's like, man, we're just like, man, We had a good thing going now, you know, back to square one, which, but it's going to be a lot easier, you know, because, you know, we, we had the first one and we understood what they do. And, of course, not every baby is the same, but we're just excited, man. We're just, both our whole, our families are excited. You know, my brother-in-law and his wife, they're having a baby a few weeks prior. So we're getting, we're getting bigger.

That's awesome. That's awesome. So are you building the Steve Bay Harbor? Are we talking like six, seven kids? Or what are you thinking? Well, you know, baby steps, you know. I like this. the Steppe Army. I like Bill, you know,

I'm just, you know, coming up with ideas here. Yeah, absolutely. Before I get to Francis, I know we didn't get a chance to catch up after the fight. We talked before the fight, but, you know, obviously it's been months now, but I just want to ask you, you know, what does it feel like, you know, finally putting that D.C. trilogy behind you because that was, that ain't

up so much of your life for like two, you know, two or three years where it was just all about Daniel Cormade. I think I asked you that before the fight, like, are you ready to just move beyond this because you've had to kind of be focused on this one guy for so long. How happy were you to put that behind you? And obviously, I know you always

had a lot of respect for D.C., but to kind of close things out the way you did. Oh, yeah, I mean, I'm happy and excited and, you know, just past it now. And, you know, right now, I'm all word about is, you know, France come up there soon. So that's all I care about. Yeah.

I'm happy, you know, he's a great competitor, man. You know, we had a good trilogy. I think it was great. And I think people loved it. And that's what people want to see. Yeah. So obviously the Francis rematch has been looming for a little bit now with the streak he's been on. Rematches are always weird because when you beat a guy pretty dominantly, you know, I've heard some mixed results.

Some guys say, you know, it's hard to get up for a guy that you've already beaten that way and things like that. And it wasn't, you know, it wasn't like you went out there and knocked him on the first round and somebody could say, oh, you got a lucky punch or you caught him earlier or anything like that. You dominated him for the better part of, you know, every minute of every round for five rounds. I know you've never been a guy to sit here and say, I won't fight that guy, won't fight that guy, but how does it feel going into a rematch with Francis knowing how the first fight wins?

Well, it won't be nothing like the first fight because, you know, he's definitely gotten better and so have I and a lot of things are going to change. You know, I'm trying to make it, you know, one side of fight. You know, of course, trying to end it early. But, you know, he's definitely, you know, he's gotten better. Man, hits hard and, you know, it's heavyweight division,

so anything can happen. Yeah. When you look at what Francis has done, I know you're not a guy who sits around and it was just, you know, you're not obsessing over film of your opponents. You kind of let Marcus and the guys of the gym do that. But obviously, Francis has gone on a pretty, I mean, again, pretty incredible runs. You know, since then, a lot of knockouts, Kane Velasquez, Jr., of course,

Jarzino in his last fight. But we still haven't seen him really do a whole lot different because he's been knocking guys out. Now, that's a credit to Francis, obviously. But is there evidence that do you believe he's developed and he's evolved since that first fight? Yeah, I mean, I think so. I mean, he's got good guys. He's got great coach. and a great team, and they're definitely working with them,

making it better. So, I mean, definitely has gotten better. But, you know, so have I. You know, we just, I think their game plan the best is going to win. And, you know, he's definitely gotten better, but, you know, he also, like, he's got that one factor. He has, you know, he's hard. And he does.

He does it hard. Just kind of watch out for it. Obviously, you're not, you're not junior. You're not Kane. You're not Giorzino. But is there, I mean, without giving away secrets, because obviously, I don't think you're giving away secrets by asking you this question. but like, what are guys doing wrong when they fight Francis because he obviously has tremendous power?

You know, again, there's no doubt about that. But, like, it's kind of crazy that, like, the way he's been able to knock people out, the way he's done it. And I don't know. Do you feel like guys are just making mistakes or are approaching him the wrong way? Like, I don't know. Again, I don't want you to get away your secrets. But, like, are people just fighting him wrong? Yeah, it could be.

I think so. I mean, I mean, every fighter is different. Everyone has a different game plan. but yeah, I don't know. Listen, man, I'm not in those guys' corner. I listen to my coaches. The reason I'm where I'm at is because my coaches and my teammates. So I just keep listening to them and getting better.

Yeah. The last time out, you know, we saw so much of your game in that fight. And I'm weird like this. Like, I loved a great first round knockouts. Don't get me wrong. But I feel like I also enjoy, you know, I also enjoy a five-round, you know, domination, you know, when you can go out there and kind of break the will of your opponent over five rounds.

And you did. you did that in a lot of things with Francis. When you look at this rematch, like, obviously you said it's going to be a different fight, but you'd like to dominate even more. But do you believe, like, when you look at this matchup, do you feel like ultimately you're always going to be a bit of a bad matchup for a guy like Francis? Oh, yeah, man, I think I'm a bad matchup for anyone, just because, you know, like I always say before, I, you know, me and my coaches, and, you know, my coaches come with a great game plan,

we work on it for, you know, eight to ten weeks, and that's how we work on, you know, and, you know, as long as I listen to the game plan and do what I'm told, then, you all be fine. Yeah. When you look at the result, obviously it doesn't matter as long as you walk out there with your championship. But would it mean more to go out there and finish him this time, to go out there and put him away? You were very, very close to last time. And credit to him for finding a way to stick around. But would it mean more to beat him and finish him and kind of put Francis, I imagine him a second time. You kind of put Francis behind you for good. Yeah, I mean, definitely You know, definitely I was always looking for it And it'd be great You know, of course

That's what I'm looking for it But if it don't happen I'm okay with the decision I don't care if it's a knockout submission or decision And I'm getting my hand raised That's all I'm going to do I'm walking out

And so that's all you're going to hear My hand raised And bell wrapped in our waist Nothing's going to change Yeah, absolutely With the fight with D.C I remember going into that fight There was a lot of conversation

About fighting in the smaller cage In the Apex Obviously you ended up dominating You know, that fight And defended your title How was it fighting in the smaller cage? Are you glad you had that experience, you know, now that you're going in against the guy like Francis? Yeah, I mean, I train in a cage like that at my gym.

It's about the same size. So it's nothing new to me. You know, and it just, you know, big cage or small cage, just depends how you use it, you know, and that's a thing. If you use it to your advantage, it works well. Everyone made a big deal about the last time because they assumed that D.C. was going to try to wrestle you. Obviously, you ended up dominating so much of the country. clinch positions and things like that.

Now, in the reverse, is there something to be said that maybe the smaller cage might be an advantage for you over a guy like Francis in terms of your clinch work in terms of your wrestling? Because so many people made a big deal about that, and you ended up kind of turning it against D.C., do you feel like maybe the small cage might actually benefit you against Francis? I think any cage would benefit. You just, like I said, depends how he used it.

But he's a big strong guy, and, you know, he's not going to let me try to do that. So, you know, I'm definitely going to try to do it. You know, and if it gets to that point, I'll definitely try to do it. But, yeah, I mean, it depends where it goes, honestly. It just, you know, it works me good if it doesn't, you know, I'll figure something else out. Yeah. Is there any small party of you, Steve A, that's a little, a little disappointed, you're going to be the last pay-per-view in the apex before we get trans back.

Look, was there any party that's like, man, I wish we could do this in front of fans? Yeah, I mean, it's, it's, it's, I mean, the fans. are what makes the sport. It's the reason why it's so getting growing so fast and people love it because it's so crazy good and awesome and they love it and yeah, I mean, it does suck and I'm okay without

the fans too, you know, or just you know, we'll see the next one. Yeah, yeah. Now, Steve, you know this question's coming and I feel like I know your answer ahead of time, but we know what's next for you. If you beat Francis, the next fight as it's been said a million times, is going to be John Jones. Go ahead. Sorry. When I beat Francis. When you beat Francis, it's going to be John Jones.

Before I get to John Jones, like, is it nice knowing? Like, you kind of have like your 20-21 in a way laid out for you. Yeah, 100%. I mean, just like right now, all I'm all I worry about is the, you know, fight coming up or not with Francis. It's all I care about. I mean, I'm not going to worry about John Jones. So I take care of business. Yeah. Is there a little bit of excitement though in terms of legacy in terms of, you know, heavyweight fights. I mean, listen, I know I brought up John to you before just because I feel like that's one of those epic fights that I want to see before it's all said and done. Like, I know you can't get excited about it right now, but is there like a bit of excitement knowing that that guy's coming? And that's, because that's a big fight for your legacy too. Let's be honest,

D'Ipe. Oh, yeah, no question. Yeah, definitely. But like I said, I'm the only way about as Francis. That's all I care about. You know, it's task at hand right now and that he's the only one. Yeah. You know, at this point in your career, Steve, you've done so much. And before anyone, gets on me and says, why are you trying to retire Stepe? I'm not trying to retire Stepe. I'm just asking the honest question. Is a guy who has already accomplished so much in your career, Francis Inganu, you know, coming into this, he's absolutely earned this rematch. When you look at his last four fights, there's no denying he's earned this rematch. And this is a very big fight. But if you beat him a second time, you just vanquished, you know, arguably the other scariest

guy in the division besides yourself. And then you go to John Jones, greatest light heavyweight of all time. Some people would say the greatest fighter of all time pound for pound. You beat him. At what point does it become diminishing returns? Like, do you just have to gauge your interest with every fight? Like, how do you approach it? Because, like, I don't feel like you're a guy who's always going to be like, I know you're a guy who always says, just give me the next guy.

But you get through these two guys. I mean, come on, let's be honest. That's like life-changing, you know, career-changing kind of legacy stuff. Yeah, definitely. I want to beat Francis again. No, yeah, I mean, definitely. But, like I said right now, so I'm worried about is, you know, Francis and that's all I care about.

And, you know, once we get to that, we'll take care of it. Yeah. I remember having this conversation with you after you knocked out Fabricio Verduem. And I remember you saying that, you know, you wanted to keep the championship and you wanted to retire as champion. One day, you know, you didn't put an end goal in mind and saying like five more fights, 10 more fights, whatever. But you say you wanted to retire a champion. We actually now have two examples of that in the sport. GSP, obviously walked away as a champion.

And we just saw last night, you know, Habib Mn Mavagra Medov is officially retired. I don't know why we didn't say he was officially retired. October, but that's neither here nor there. He is officially retired now, and he retired his champion. When you look at those kind of legacies, and again, this may not happen for you for a couple years down the road, but like, do you feel like that's the way you want to go out? When it's all said and done, like, you want to go out and have that kind of, because we, unfortunately, we don't have a lot of examples of that in this sport.

Yeah, I mean, definitely, of course. It doesn't want to go out of top. And, you know, once I get to that point, you know, but right now I'm having fun and I like winning and I'm going to keep winning. Yeah. Obviously, and you also, I mean, again, you also, I mean, again, you also, I mean, again, you know, age is just a number in a lot of instances, and it seems like, weirdly, where you're at right now, you know,

am I wrong at the thing? I mean, I know you're going into a heavyweight title fight, but, like, it feels like you're still very much in the prime of your career right now. Am I wrong? No, I feel like that. I'm definitely that way I'm getting better. I mean, I'm a little bit later, but I'm strong. I've ever been.

I'm faster. I'm better in shape. I'm more efficient. So, yeah, I mean, definitely, you know, so the good thing about anyway, so they have more longevity. feel like. Yeah, absolutely. So I know you're not a big prediction, guys, Stevie. I'm not going to ask you to tell me the round and play Connor McGregor and say, you know, point to the actually, the round in the minute you're going to win

this fight. But in a perfect world, how would you envision a fight with Francis playing out in terms of what do you want out of yourself? What do you want to see out of yourself in this fight? Getting that way to make no means necessary. I don't care. I'm going to get that win. I'm going to walk out with my hand raised, bell wrap our waist, and still, nothing's going to change. You'll find out, you know, come Saturday. I love it. Steve, A, you know, it's always a pleasure

to catch up with you. I always appreciate it. Please give Ryan my best with the baby on the way, man. I know you guys are excited about that, and I'm sure she's probably ready to lose her mind right now with the baby girl, baby boy,

and your title fight coming up, I'm sure. Oh, yeah, sorry. She's a rock. She's awesome. I'm lucky to have her. Absolutely. Well, Steve, A, thank you, as always, for taking the time.

Obviously, safe travels out to Las Vegas. Best luck in the fight. And as always, thank you for doing this. You know I appreciate it. Thank you, brother. I'll talk to you later. Have a great weekend. Hey, you too. Talk to soon. See, buddy.

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