Francis Ngannou was originally set to fight former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos at UFC 215, but then Dos Santos was pulled from the card due to a potential USADA violation.
Ngannou had originally stated that he wanted to fight Alistair Overeem next, but the heavyweight contender now says he wants UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic next.
“After JDS was pulled, all the top 15 was booked. The only one available was Overeem and he said he was injured,” said Ngannou on The MMA Hour. “I heard he’s ready for December or November. I don’t know. I’m thinking they can even give me Stipe right now, I want Stipe. I want to go for the belt, and after that, I can beat all these guys who will become contenders. But I take Stipe first. Since January I don’t have fight, so we need to go forward. I deserve Stipe, I want Stipe.”
Miocic doesn’t have a fight scheduled at the moment and has stated that he wants his contract issues with the UFC resolved before he fights again. Miocic last defended the championships at UFC 211, where he defeated the aforementioned Dos Santos by first round knockout.
If Miocic and Ngannou do collide in the Octagon down the line, then the champion is going to be the second current/former UFC Heavyweight Champion that Ngannou has fought. The first was formerUFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski, whom Ngannou defeated at UFC On Fox 23.
