UFC ‘want Stipe Miocic to defend heavyweight title against Francis Ngannou in March’ with winner taking on Jon Jones next summer ‘in perfect world’
- Stipe Miocic defended his title against Daniel Cormier in trilogy fight this year
- Heavyweight champion is expected to take on Francis Ngannou in rematch
- Plan is for Jon Jones to fight for heavyweight title by the summer of 2021
The UFC want Jon Jones to fight for the heavyweight title by next summer.
Stipe Miocic reigns supreme as the champion and is anticipated to face No 1 contender Francis Ngannou next in a rematch.
According to Ariel Helwani, the UFC have mapped out what they want to happen at the top of the heavyweight division over the next few months.
Stipe Miocic could be back in action for the UFC by next March against Francis Ngannou
He said: ‘The UFC want Stipe Miocic to defend the heavyweight title against Francis Ngannou in March.
‘The title fight isn’t a done deal just yet but that is definitely what the promotion wants, I’m told.
‘In a perfect world, the UFC would like for the winner of that fight to defend the belt against Jon Jones in the summer.’
Jones is making the step up to heavyweight having vacated his light-heavyweight title earlier this year.
Jon Jones is stepping up to heavyweight and could fight for the belt in the summer
He has been busy bulking up his physique in recent months and it remains to be seen whether he will take a warm-up fight against a top contender or dive straight into a battle with Miocic.
Ngannou might have something to say about that and has fully earned another shot at the title.
The 34-year-old was dominated by the champion when they met in 2018 and then suffered another disappointing defeat, this time by Derrick Lewis.
But since then, he has achieved four first-round KO victories in a row and Dana White declared him the next contender.
Francis Ngannou has earned his title shot again with four consecutive knockout wins