UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic would like to add his name to the list of other heavyweight legends who have fought in Madison Square Garden by hopefully securing his next title defence in the famous New York City arena.
Following his first successful title defence in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio at UFC 203 – where he scored a first-round knockout win over Alistair Overeem – Miocic told MMAjunkie that he’d prefer to fight in Madison Square Garden before fighting again at home.
“I choose MSG first,” Miocic said. “Because then I’ll win again there and then the next will be in Cleveland. It’s amazing, some of the best boxing matches ever were there. It’s an amazing place.”
It’s an interesting time in the heavyweight division, with Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez going down at UFC 207 on December 30th in Las Vegas. That fight should, in theory, produce the next number-one contender for Miocic’s strap. Whoever comes out victorious, the heavyweight champ feels as though he matches up with them both really well.
“It’s a tough call,” Miocic said. “We’ve got Cain, who’s coming back strong, he looked amazing in his last fight, wants a shot at the title. Werdum is Werdum, he’s fought the best in the world and beat the best in the world. So it’s an interesting fight.
“I think whoever implements their game plan the best is going to win. Whoever it is, I match up very well with both of them. So I don’t care who it is. Where do I sign?”
