Jun 9, 2015
Heavyweight Miocic wants his shot at gold
As mixed martial arts fans prepare to watch the Octagon return of Cain Velasquez as he defends his heavyweight title against interim champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188, other fighters in the weight class are circling, waiting for the next shot at the belt. One of those heavyweights is Stipe Miocic. You can catch the UFC 188 Prelims live on TSN2 at 8pm et/5pm pt.
As mixed martial arts fans prepare to watch the Octagon return of Cain Velasquez as he defends his heavyweight title against interim champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188, other fighters in the weight class are circling, waiting for the next shot at the belt.
You can catch the UFC 188 Prelims live on TSN2 at 8pm et/5pm pt.
One of those heavyweights is Stipe Miocic, a month removed from his domination of Mark Hunt, which ended with a fifth-round TKO stoppage after a UFC-record 361 strikes landed.
The 32-year-old wants to be the No. 1 contender for the belt and does not care which fighter emerges with the gold.
"Either one, it wouldn't bother me at all," Miocic told TSN.ca. "I have great coaches and I have the best game plan in the world."
The title-unification bout between Velasquez and Werdum will headline the UFC 188 pay-per-view at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City on Saturday night and Miocic believes there isn't much to choose between two fighters at the top of their games.
"I think it's going to be a great fight, they're both great fighters. Cain is pound for pound one of the best fighters in the world (fourth in P4P rankings), Werdum is getting better every fight, I think who ever executes their game plan best is going to win the fight."
While Miocic awaits the undisputed champion and word on if he'll be next in line for a shot at the belt, he is also keeping his eye on his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, currently locked in an NBA Finals battle against the Golden State Warriors.
The Euclid, Ohio native believes it's finally time for Cleveland to break its run as one of North America's most downtrodden sport city.
"It's what we need, we get so close every time and something happens: The Fumble, The Drive," said Miocic. "It's what the City needs and we're going to get it. If not in a few weeks, we're going to bring something back home."
"The Tribe is doing great; me and Jessica (Eye) are doing great. The City is coming alive and it's about time. I've been living there my whole life and it's great to see."