CLEVELAND -- It is no secret that there is a rift between Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White and current heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, not especially after what happened following the latter’s successful title defense against Francis Ngannou at UFC 220 inside TD Garden in Boston on January 20.
After earning a dominant unanimous-decision victory over Ngannou in the UFC 220 main event, Miocic broke from the tradition of having White wrap the belt around his waist, and instead, handed the strap over to his coach at Strong Style MMA, Marcus Marinelli.
“Like I said in the post-fight, my coach respects me, I respect him,” Miocic said on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani a week after the fight. “There’s nothing more that needs to be said.”
Prior to the fight, the UFC heavily promoted Ngannou because of his knockout power, but Miocic put the challenger on the mat for much of the fight, thus neutralizing the punching prowess and forcing the contender to adapt or struggle.
However, the disrespect Miocic felt started long before the fight against Ngannou, whom had his power compared by White to that of a Ford Escort going full speed.
In his previous two title defenses, Miocic was paid significantly less than his challengers, and voiced his displeasure in national interviews. That perceived lack of respect has motivated Miocic to remain at the top of his division and do something no other fighter has done in UFC history, have three successful defenses of the heavyweight title.
“People are going to like me; people are not going to like me,” Miocic said.
“I don’t really care. I hope they’re on my team backing me up, but if they’re not, it is what it is. That’s what makes sports. Just the Patriots vs. the Eagles. There’s Patriots fans and there’s Eagles fans. It is what it is. I’m just happy with everything. I’m blessed and I’m grateful.”
In the hours that followed UFC 220, White stated his intentions to have Miocic defend the heavyweight title against Daniel Cormier, who currently holds the light-heavyweight championship, and it took him less than a week to make the fight happen.
After coaching in the 27th season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, which is taping now in Las Vegas, Miocic and Cormier will battle for the heavyweight title at UFC 226 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada on July 7.
“He didn’t apologize,” Miocic said of a recent conversation with White. “He said congratulations on the fight and offered me the TUF coaching stint, and I took it. I was very grateful for it, and I thanked him so much for that opportunity.
“I’m good. Next question. No more talking about this.”
Including the win over Ngannou, Miocic is on a six-fight winning streak. Miocic is 18-2 in his professional career and 12-2 in 14 bouts under the UFC banner.
“Listen, I’m always going to be happy, no matter how I’m treated,” Miocic said. “I’ve got a good life, man. I’m happy with my life. I get paid to fight. I’m a firefighter. I get paid for that, too, and I love my wife and my family. We’re expecting our first child. Nothing better than that.
“I can’t complain, man. I’m happy and I’m blessed. I’m just very lucky for what I do.”
