UFC 260: Francis Ngannou says Jones Jones super fight ‘makes more sense’ than Stipe Miocic trilogy

‘The Predator’ insists ‘I do not feel any [need]’ to rematch former champion Miocic; wonders if 38-year-old will retire

‘Hopefully with the belt I can be more active and do two or three fights per year’ says Ngannou, who expects first title defence in the summer

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Francis Ngannou punches Stipe Miocic in their heavyweight championship fight during UFC 260. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Published: 4:45pm, 28 Mar 2021Updated: 5:58pm, 28 Mar 2021

Newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou said he does not feel the need to fight Stipe Miocic in a trilogy bout despite him being “the greatest of all time”.

“The Predator” Ngannou (16-3) beat Miocic (20-4) via second-round TKO at UFC 260 to avenge a humbling title fight loss to the Croatian-American in 2017. Though the rematch win was comprehensive, promotional president Dana White had said before the fight Miocic was deserving of a trilogy if he lost.

“Personally, I do not feel any [need for the trilogy],” the 34-year-old Cameroonian Ngannou said in the post-fight press conference.

“[Miocic] said he wouldn’t [not] be a champion until he retires, so maybe he’ll retire. If not, I’d still be down to fight him. I have a loss against him and he is the greatest heavyweight of all time. So it makes sense for me to fight him – if needed.”

Ngannou added that a long-discussed fight with former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones would “make more sense” over a Miocic trilogy or Derrick Lewis rematch but accepted there would be more hurdles to overcome.

“I never ask for less. I always ask to be active. Hopefully with the belt I can be more active and do two or three fights per year. My career isn’t done yet. I’m expecting way more going forward – maybe way better than this [winning the belt],” he said, adding that he will be “ready” for his first defence by July and August.