Gol.hr reports that a few days before the UFC 260 kicks off in Las Vegas this weekend, Croatian-American Stipe Miocic and Cameroonian Francis Ngannou met ahead of the highly anticipated rematch, one that’ll go down in UFC history. A press conference on Thursday, followed by an official staredown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=dLzvbxTHlo0
Recall, three and a half years ago, Ngannou climbed on stage, looked at Stipe, and turned both fingers down, saying “you’re done” to the Croatian-American MMA artist. He was smiling, conceited, and confident.
Stipe destroyed him in January 2018 in 25 minutes of fighting. He defended his belt record for the third time and entered UFC history as the best of all time. He later confirmed this with a victory against Daniel Cormier in the great trilogy.
This time, Ngannou did not make any gestures and was very humble instead. He is aware that he has to change something in his approach in order to have a better chance against Miocic, starting with realizing that he is facing the greatest heavyweight in the history of freestyle wrestling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=NGj1zqaa2dY
“Of course I won’t take anything away from the victory that Stipe achieved three years ago. He was better that night, but when I look at the footage of that match, I don’t recognize myself at all. Not even the way I fought, the way I attacked him. That guy looked like me, but I didn’t recognize him,” Ngannou said.
“I also made a lot of mistakes entering that match. I wasn’t present. I didn’t have emotions in that match. This time everything will be different. I had enough time for my team and me to prepare. I think what we have prepared will work,” said Francis, who believes he has made a lot of progress compared to the first match.
“I have always wanted to fight Stipe again. He showed that he was a better fighter then, and I just want to avenge that defeat and prove that I am the best,” the Cameroonian concluded.
Stipe is the current champion, the most successful in UFC history, and as such is considered by many to be the best heavyweight to have ever stepped into the sport.
“That means I’m doing something with the coaches and the team right,” Stipe said, revealing what he thinks of the newer version of Ngannou.
“He has definitely gotten better. I knew we would meet again someday. A tough fight awaits us,” Stipe said.
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