'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4. Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 3
Stipe Miocic might have other ideas in mind for his return to the octagon. Depending on what happens at UFC 270, a trilogy bout with Francis Ngannou could be a possibility. ‘The Predator’ will defend the UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane. If he loses, a third bout with Stipe would be the ideal fight to make.
The former champion defeated Ngannou in their first fight, which was one where many felt he’d lose his heavyweight championship. He silenced the naysayers and ended up proving why he should be considered the greatest heavyweight champion in UFC history.
‘The Predator’ made significant improvements in the rematch and ended Miocic's second title reign. With that in mind, it’d be interesting to see if the former champion would be able to make similar adjustments. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a good idea to get into a slugfest with Ngannou, so the former champ's wrestling would be the deciding factor.
#3. Miocic vs. Ciryl Gane
Like the trilogy with Ngannou, Miocic vs. Ciryl Gane could be a possibility depending on what happens at UFC 270. He may be waiting on the result of the heavyweight title fight before committing to a return to the octagon.
Gane has risen up the UFC heavyweight rankings in a short amount of time. The interim UFC heavyweight champion has a 10-0 MMA record and has wins over top contenders. Gane’s TKO win over former champion Junior dos Santos was a statement win that put the division on notice.
He followed that up with wins over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Volkov. At UFC 265, he finished Derrick Lewis to become interim heavyweight champion in arguably the biggest win of his career so far.
Gane is a well-rounded fighter, especially for a heavyweight, which makes him difficult to deal with. He moves well for a fighter his size and has elite level striking from his background in Muay Thai.
