LAS VEGAS — The stage is all too familiar, but the pressure remains just as intense.
When Stipe Miocic faces Francis Ngannou Saturday night at UFC 260 in Las Vegas, it will mark the eighth time the Cleveland favorite has fought for the heavyweight championship. Miocic has held the belt since 2019 after briefly surrendering it to Daniel Cormier, and he does not plan on giving it up any time soon.
"I hate losing," Miocic told 3News' Jim Donovan in an interview Tuesday. "I like winning. I like being called 'Champ,' and I don't want that to change."
Miocic has been called that for most of the last five years, since he took the title from Fabrício Werdum in 2016. While Miocic is the one fighting in The Octagon, the Eastlake North High School alum also credits those close to him for maintaining his success.
"It takes a village to help you out," he said. "You just can't do that on your own. I think I've been very lucky with my career and meeting the people I have and everybody who has joined the team. We have a 'motley crew,' as you would say."
Miocic previously fought Ngannou in 2018, dominating all five rounds on his way to a unanimous decision. The Cameroon native struggled after his loss, but has since come back strong with four straight knockout victories to earn another shot at the title. For his part, Miocic expects Ngannou to be a lot more seasoned than last time.
"He 's definitely evolved and gotten better," Miocic said. "He's putting it all together. He's got a great team behind him."
Miocic hasn't fought since last June, when he ended Cormier's storied career with another unanimous win to defend the championship he had won back the previous year. At 38 years old, some wonder if Miocic is ready to slow down, but the champ says he's only gotten better with age.
"[Ngannou]'s been working on everything, but so have I," Miocic said. "I'm 38, but I feel I've gotten better. I'm faster, I'm more efficient, I'm stronger, I know my body better."
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Many are already speculating about a possible Jon Jones fight should Miocic take down Ngannou again. However, as always, he is focused only on what is immediately ahead of him, and also confident about the outcome.
"I'm worried about Francis," Miocic said. "He wants something that's mine, but he's not going to get it.
"Come Saturday, nothing's going to change. I'm walking out with the belt still wrapped around my waist, hand raised, 'And still...'"
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Watch the moment Stipe returned to Cleveland after reclaiming the heavyweight belt in August of 2019: