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    Stipe Miocic on KO Loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260: 'You Can't Win Them All'

    Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistMarch 29, 2021

    Stipe Miocic sits in his corner after losing to Daniel Cormier in a heavyweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 226, Saturday, July 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
    John Locher/Associated Press

    Stipe Miocic is taking his knockout loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 this weekend in stride.

    The former two-time UFC heavyweight champion posted on Instagram, in part, that he was disappointed with the loss but that it was a part of the sport:

    "To my family friends and fans, especially Croatia and Cleveland... I love you and I'm sorry. I hate letting you down. To my team, thank you. I know you feel every loss just as much as I do. We win as a family, we lose as a family. Losses aren't fun, they always sting for a while, but that's the beast of this business. You can't win them all, and it's important to understand that losing is just as much a part of sports (and life) as winning."

    Miocic added that he "deviated" from his game plan against Ngannou and went after him "overzealous and unprotected" when he felt his opponent was winded. That allowed Ngannou to catch him with a second-round knockout punch. 

    Miocic, 38, is now 1-1 against Ngannou after beating him at UFC 220 in 2018, the third of his title defenses after beating Fabricio Werdum to win the title at UFC 198 in 2016. Miocic then lost his belt to Daniel Cormier at UFC 226 later in 2018, only to beat Cormier a year later and regain the title. 

    He finished his trilogy with Cormier at UFC 252 in August, beating him a second time for the first defense of his second heavyweight title reign.

    Stipe Miocic on KO Loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260: 'You Can't Win Them All'
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    It seems like that a trilogy with Ngannou will be held at some point, though when remains to be seen. Ngannou, for what it's worth, believes Jon Jones wants a shot at the champion.

    "I believe that Jon Jones wants this fight," he told TMZ Sports. "I believe he'll want it to happen because it's gonna be a massive fight."

    He continued: "He's been around so long and been champ for a long time so I think this might be the biggest fight of his career and mine. I think he wants to put something like this on his legacy, on his resume. I truly believe that he wants this fight to happen."

    It would appear that Jones—currently in a staredown with the UFC over a contract dispute—wants the fight too:

    BONY @JonnyBones

    Let’s not forget Stipe lost to DC. Stipe only defended his belt like five times to my 15. The man showed up at 230 to fight against Francis. He is no Jon Jones, I want this fight, excited to see what the UFC think it’s worth

    BONY @JonnyBones

    I’ve been talking about getting paid more for over a year now, has nothing to do with France is winning the belt. I fear no man, i’ve been beating up on heavy weight since I was a skinny kid. Gain all this size and strength just to suddenly be afraid? Sure let’s switch narrative

    BONY @JonnyBones

    I always hear about how much the company is growing yet one year later I find myself in the same spot. I put in the work, I’ve done my part. I have completely transformed myself and now I meet a brick wall.. how discouraging

    BONY @JonnyBones

    I am going to try to remain faithful. There’s still time for the UFC to do the right thing. I am supposed to be seeing a fight proposal next week. Fingers are crossed, this is an opportunity of a lifetime for everyone involved.

    So if there is a Miocic and Ngannou trilogy finale, it likely will come down the line.