Tungviktarna Fabricio Werdum och Cain Velasquez var tidigare tänkta att gå titelmatch under UFC 196, men Velasquez drog sig sedan ur på grund av skada. Stipe Miocic erbjöd sig då att ta matchen mot mästaren, men kort därefter drog sig även Werdum ur matchen.
Under tiden som detta skedde postade den före detta lätt-tungviktsmästaren Jon Jones ett tweet om att han skulle kunna tänka sig att möta Miocic, om det handlade om tungviktsbältet.
Enligt managern Greg Kalikas blev Miocic aldrig erbjuden en match mot Jones:
I can tell you for a fact that the Jon Jones title fight was never offered to Stipe nor was any other fight. He [Miocic] didn’t turn down anything. All we’ve been told is that the UFC is waiting on Werdum’s medical reports to determine where things stand. We are anxiously awaiting the results ourselves and looking forward to locking down a date. Both Stipe and Fabricio mentioned on Twitter they were open for a Memorial Day fight, so we’re hoping the UFC will oblige.
Nothing is set in stone. But who knows how long Cain will be down, and it doesn’t sound like Werdum’s injuries are serious, so this [Miocic vs. Werdum] makes the most sense. Both fighters want it and there’s no doubt the fans prefer to see Stipe vs Werdum right now. The champion said himself he will fight Stipe, and we expect him to honor his word. Hopefully, it’s not serious with Cain and he will get back into the mix soon when he is healthy.
Honestly, I believe he [Miocic] would have taken it [the fight with Jones], but it was never even discussed since it was never on the table. Especially if it was for the belt, I don’t see Stipe turning it down. But for him it’s all about that title regardless of opponent or pay. That I know for sure.
