Miocic Refutes ‘Punch Drunk’ Claim From Lewis

Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is expected to get the first crack at the winner of the Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis rematch, who battle for “The Predator’s” belt at some point later this year.

Ngannou captured the crown by stopping “overzealous” Miocic at UFC 260.

“I want a rematch, and I wanna get my title back. He took something that was mine, and it drives me nuts every day,” Miocic told Submission Radio. “I’m always fired up after a loss. I hate losing. I’ve lost a few times, and just, I hate losing, it just drives me nuts. I hate losing. I’m very competitive and I like winning.”

UFC President Dana White considered having Miocic fight former 205-pound titleholder Jon Jones; however, “Bones” balked at the idea of fighting anyone but Ngannou. That said, Miocic is keeping his options open.

“Honestly, I don’t care who it is. I really would love to fight Francis again for the rematch and get that ‘W’ back over him in the rubber match,” Miocic continued. “But yeah, I don’t care who it is. I’m not preferring anyone, but if I had a choice, I would want to fight Ngannou again. Just because he beat me last time and took the belt. We’ll see when I get a rematch. Maybe early next year.”

If Ngannou loses, Miocic will instead fight Derrick Lewis and get an opportunity to exact revenge for all those “punch drunk” comments “The Black Beast” was making in the media over the last few weeks.

“I’m punch drunk? I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Miocic said. “But okay. His balls were probably too hot, that’s probably why he said that.”