According to ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani, UFC is reportedly looking at booking Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou for the UFC 256 card in December later this year. Earlier, UFC President Dana White had revealed that Jon Jones won’t be jumping over Francis Ngannou, and it looks like that seems to be the plan with reports of a potential Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou rematch on the cards.
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According to Ariel Helwani, as revealed in the recent episode of DC & Helwani, the journalist revealed that Kamaru Usman vs Gilbert Burns match-up could be in jeopardy. The UFC has already reached out to Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou for a heavyweight clash.
Stipe Miocic to take on Francis Ngannou at UFC 256?
Stipe Miocic humbled Francis Ngannou in their first encounter with an impressive unanimous decision win over the knockout artist. However, Francis Ngannou has improved leaps and bounds since then with four back to back first round stoppage victories over the likes of Junior dos Santos, Jarizinho Rozenstruik, and Cain Velasquez. With huge improvement in is striking game, Francis Ngannou was last seen training alongside legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas. A much quicker Francis Ngannou will look to light out Stipe Miocic when they meet inside the octagon for the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion.
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On the other hand, Stipe Miocic has looked confident of a victory and stated that the result would be the same when he takes on Francis Ngannou again in the rematch. Miocic took on Ngannou in January of 2018 in his third title defense. Miocic is now a two-time Heavyweight Champion and will likely defend his gold for the first time in his second reign against knockout artist Francis Ngannou.
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Earlier, reports of a potential super-fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou was on the cards, however, it fell apart after Jon Jones failed to come to negotiations with the UFC leading to a ugly spat between Jones and Dana White. Miocic had also expressed his interest at fighting Jon Jones and claimed that he would beat the former light-heavyweight Champion if they square off inside the octagon. Amidst all this, Brock Lesnar’s name was also thrown into the mix with Jon Jones teasing a potential heavyweight showdown against the former Champion. Stipe Miocic also expressed his interest at fighting Lesnar and claimed that it would be an early night for the Champion.