‘We’re 1-1’ — Stipe Miocic talks Francis Ngannou ‘rubber match’ after UFC 309

Jesse Holland is among the longest-tenured media professionals in the combat sports news space, covering MMA, professional wrestling and boxing on a full-time basis since early 2004.

PFL seems to be obsessed with pairing Francis Ngannou against Jon Jones.

But that fantasy matchup, which requires an unlikely alliance between PFL and UFC, only works if “Bones” defeats Stipe Miocic atop the UFC 309 pay-per-view (PPV) card this Sat. night (Nov. 16, 2024) at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In addition, Miocic may have a better claim to the Ngannou fight after splitting a pair of championship contests with “The Predator.” Miocic captured a unanimous decision victory over Ngannou at UFC 220, then fell to the Cameroonian at UFC 260 a couple of years later.

Don’t hold your breath.

“I was trying to get the rematch,” Miocic told MMA Fighting. “Then he left and it didn’t happen, unfortunately. Yeah, of course [I was bummed] because I wanted the rubber match. But also at the same point, he’s doing better for himself and his family. I’m not mad at him. He’s doing great.”

“Listen, I’m okay with letting go,” Miocic continued. “I get it. As much as I would love to fight him, I wish him nothing but the best and it is what it is. We’re 1-1. That’s the way it will be. He got the last one, unfortunately.”

The chances of Dana White mending fences with PFL seems remote.

Ngannou parted ways with UFC after a protracted (and ugly) negotiating period that led to “The Predator’s” unconditional release. What followed was a couple of high-profile boxing matches, along with a PFL “Super Fight” title at the expense of Renan Ferreira.

As a result, the question of “Best Heavyweight in MMA” may continue to go unanswered.

LIVE! Watch UFC 309 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

LEGACY ON THE LINE! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to “The Big Apple” in New York, N.Y., on Sat., Nov. 16, 2024, with the long-awaited, legacy-defining Heavyweight showdown between reigning division champion, Jon Jones, looking to ride off into the sunset as the bonafide G.O.A.T. at the expense of former kingpin, Stipe Miocic. In UFC 309’s pay-per-view (PPV) co-headliner from inside Madison Square Garden, former Lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, will run it back with Michael Chandler, who has been sitting on the sidelines unsuccessfully waiting for Conor McGregor’s ill-fated comeback. UFC 309 will also feature the exciting returns of super prospects Mauricio Ruffy and Bo Nickal (in separate fights) and so much more! UFC 309’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (Prelims card) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 309 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPNews at 8 p.m. ET), before the pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 309: “Jones vs. Miocic” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.