UFC no8 heavyweight Stipe Miocic relaxed ahead of Jon Jones title challenge
Stipe Miocic (20-4, fighting out of Independence, Ohio) aims to shock the world and reclaim the UFC heavyweight title from Jones
No. 8 ranked UFC heavyweight contender
Former UFC heavyweight champion
Most consecutive title defenses in division history (3)
15 wins by knockout
Nine first-round finishes
14/11/2024
UFC309
Stipe Miocic (20-4, fighting out of Independence, Ohio) aims to shock the world and reclaim the UFC heavyweight title from Jones
No. 8 ranked UFC heavyweight contender
Former UFC heavyweight champion
Most consecutive title defenses in division history (3)
15 wins by knockout
Nine first-round finishes
14/11/2024
UFC309
Category
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SportsTranscript
00:00Bon appétit, CP. It's been a little while since we've seen you here, you know, on a
00:08fight week and everything like that. I know that maybe during your heyday you
00:12weren't exactly a big fan of these questions coming at you thick and fast,
00:14but having been away for a while, do you feel any more open to it?
00:18They still suck. I'm joking, I'm joking. No, I mean, listen, I understand it's part of the game and people
00:27want to understand, you know, hear you and see what you're doing and, you know, it
00:32does suck because it's repetitive because it is what it is. I mean, you guys want to get your story and I get that, but I've got, you know, it's gotten better over the years. I accepted it, I understand it.
00:41Was this a, your return to the cage, John Jones or bust, or were you always planning on
00:46coming back here and not having your last fight be in the apex? No, I definitely
00:50wasn't gonna come back. You know, of course I wanted John Jones more than anything, but if it wasn't
00:53gonna happen, it wasn't gonna happen, but luckily everything worked out the way it
00:56did. You know, I think this fight's been an interesting one, right? When it was
01:01first booked, everyone was really hyped on it, then they had the interim situation
01:04arise and now that's sort of bringing like questions outside this fight, but
01:07for you, obviously you've been focused on John for years now, do you think by the
01:12time you get to fight night, people will appreciate that actually these are two
01:14of the best ever and we need to appreciate you guys fighting for what it
01:17is? Yeah, I hope so, but I'm not worried about that. I really don't, that's one
01:21thing I've learned in this career, like I stop caring what other people think, you
01:25have your opinion, you have your opinion, I'm not gonna change it, I really don't care.
01:29What do we think of John Jones, obviously the best ever, you know, amazing
01:32light heavyweight career, he started coming up to heavyweight, beat Cyril. When
01:36he, people look at him, they think of his range, they think of his size. Obviously a
01:40heavyweight, that might not be as big a factor. Do you look at that as something
01:42you can negate because you're a bigger man or as big as he is? Yeah, that
01:47definitely plays a thing into the fight. You know, definitely a
01:56different ballgame when it comes to heavyweight. You've got bigger guys, hit
01:59harder, a lot of things are different. I think, you know, we'll see. I have some
02:04things up my sleeve too, just like he does. He was a little upset at you for
02:07calling him a bitch. I keep talking about that. He was literally telling everyone he's
02:12gonna beat my ass. Everyone was positive, did not say that before that, so I mean
02:15sorry. And then also he brought up your sparring partner choices. Oh, I pay them?
02:26That was bullshit because they're my teammates and they're like, we're not
02:30getting paid? So I'm hiring people too, so whatever. Do you think maybe he's just
02:35saying this to sort of build this fight up and build himself into needing like a
02:38bit of spite between you two to give himself more of an edge in the fight?
02:42Maybe, maybe not. I don't know what he's thinking, but yeah, that some of the
02:48stuff was just like, okay. I literally had no idea until someone told me, so it's
02:54funny. It's just comical. It's actually very funny.
02:58Steve, just next to him over here. You said that, you know, you learned not to really care
03:04about what other people say and was there a point or a moment that that did
03:07kind of click and did you used to care like more than you kind of let on what
03:11everyone was saying about you or your opponents or anything? Yeah, in the
03:14beginning of my career I was a little sensitive about it. Like, you don't know
03:17me, I don't know you, but why you're saying shit like that to me? Like, I would get
03:19terrible DMs and stuff. Like, what's wrong with you? Like, you don't know me. But
03:24over then, I really just stopped caring because I realized like, they don't know
03:27me, I don't know them. Like, you know, they're just pissed off about something
03:32and just trying to take it out on me and I couldn't care less, honestly. It's the best thing I ever did in my life.
03:37Has that kind of calmed down? Like, kind of all the hate and the vitriol coming your way?
03:42No, I mean, you get hate all the time. I mean, you get DMs all the time.
03:45You suck, you're a piece of shit. Like, you know, hope you die, whatever. It is what it is.
03:50You know, you said you always thought you knew you'd come back at some point,
03:53but did you keep up with the sport at all? Did you watch, you know, all the
03:56pay-per-views and the heavyweight fights? I never watched pay-per-views, even
03:59during my whole career, really. I mean, I do, like, I mean, I don't say I didn't watch them ever, but I do
04:04watch them, especially when my friends are fighting. Like, when Volante was fighting, you know,
04:08Wyoming, Wonderboy, like, my friends, I'd watch them. Once in a while, it was a good card.
04:11Or if I was live. But, like, I really didn't want to go out of my way. I have, you know, other things going on in my life that, you know.
04:19So, you didn't really pay attention to, like, the rest of the heavyweight division, like?
04:22I mean, I did. I mean, well, I had to because everyone's, like, texting me about it.
04:26But, like, and you see stuff on Instagram and, like, you know, and on social media.
04:31But, like, I mean, I wasn't, like, I had to watch the fight or anything like that. I just, you know, whatever. I have other things. I want to go to bed. I'm tired.
04:38And I think on the countdown, one of your coaches said he felt like you were a little pissed off when the first fight fell through.
04:43Was that just, you know, selling the fight? Or did it kind of bother you, like, you know, so close to the fight that, you know, it changed your plans?
04:49Yeah, it was more just, you were that close. You worked so hard. And, I mean, but it's part of the game. I wasn't mad that he got hurt.
04:54I just, you know, it's part of the game. I was just mad, pissed off, because, like, I was at that point. I'm like, oh, you're so close.
04:59And then, you know, I almost had it, and then gone.
05:02John has said, you know, he watches tape kind of religiously on his opponents. He wants to know every mistake they make.
05:08Like, when they step to the left, he's going to throw this, he's going to throw that. And he likes to know his opponents backwards and forwards.
05:14Are you the same type of guy to watch tape on John? And if so, do you see a lot of the same tendencies?
05:19Or is he really, like, the narrative, he's always a different fighter when he goes out?
05:23No, I definitely watch film on him. Yeah, you know, he has tendencies, and, you know, he does throw different stuff at different times.
05:29But also, he does have tendencies like everyone else, and you just got to exploit them.
05:33Steeper right here. If you win this fight, you'll be-
05:36When I win this fight.
05:37When you win this fight, you'll be the second in UFC history to have three separate title reigns, you and Randy Couture.
05:43I guess, what would that mean to you? And which one would be the most special, beating Virgim, reclaiming it from Cormier, or this one?
05:51Um, they're all special. So, I mean, I like winning. So, whatever, you know, whatever, um, like, between all three of them, like, they're all wins.
06:01That's all I care about. It's like, to me, they're all special. But, um, maybe this one, I think, because it's just the Mecca, it's John Jones.
06:10They're all, oh, my God, John Jones, you know, and, I mean, I don't think it better than that, or bigger.
06:15Yeah, and you got belts at home already, too. So, is beating John Jones almost a bigger accomplishment than taking another belt back with you?
06:22Oh, of course. I mean, you know, when you get that belt again, it's always nice. You know, I have six of them, and I can't wait to get seven.
06:28And you guys will be at the press conference tomorrow. I don't know if you've seen John in person yet.
06:33Um, I guess, what's your expectations for that? Do you have any idea, like, what he'll be like towards you, and are you looking forward to seeing him in person, and, like, sizing him up on a stare down?
06:40Um, yeah, I mean, I don't care. I mean, I don't have any ill will towards the guy. You know, we're here to fight each other, and beat the shit out of each other.
06:47Um, yeah, I mean, I don't know how he's going to act. I'm going to shake his hand, like, hey, good to see you. How you doing? You know, see you Saturday. That's about it.
06:54Steve A.T., right? Is that right? Uh, the build-up to this fight, John keeps talking about, you know, being a legend, and his legacy.
07:03Uh, you're also a legend. When you decide to hang him up, how do you want to be remembered?
07:10Let me remember just, um, that guy that went out there and just, blue-collar dude, went out there and fought and beat ass, you know, and just was never given anything.
07:20It was all earned. Just, just normal, you know, blue-collar dude, just loved the fight.
07:26Uh, speaking of retirement, you recently changed fire departments. How long until you can retire as a fireman?
07:32Oh, that's a long time. We're out of time on that one. That's, that's a long one.
07:36Uh, Tom Aspinall is weighing in as a backup fighter. Uh, things have happened to John Jones during fight week. I'm sure you don't want to think about that.
07:42Well, thanks for jinxing it.
07:46Uh, the, you know, during your preparation, did you have to, you know, prepare for Tom at all?
07:54I mean, yes and no. We, we, we talked about it. You know, there's things he does. We watched him on him, too. But, um, no, right now, I'm worried about John Jones.
08:01That's all I care about. Like, I'm not going to think about anything else besides that, unless it happens. And if it does, you should not be coming to the fight.
08:07No, I won't. I won't. Uh, last question for me. Uh, I know you kind of brushed on this.
08:13When John pulled out of the fight a year ago, um, was there any thought of, you know, fighting somebody else? Kind of, you know?
08:19I just really wanted to fight John. I think the best of the best. People wanted to see that.
08:23And, uh, I just, you know, it's a fight I really wanted. You know what I mean? Uh, it's a great legacy fight, everyone says.
08:29Uh, yeah, I mean, unfortunately, you know, like, we, we get injured in this part of the game, and it happened.
08:33And, you know, I was pissed off, not at him, because, like, what am I supposed to do? Like, get hurt.
08:37I was more pissed off because, like, you're so close, and then you get hurt. And then, it just, you know, it sucks.
08:42Thank you, sir.
08:43Steve, over here.
08:45So, when you see John saying, you know, he's interested in an Alex Pereira fight, when you see his Twitter's flooded with people talking about Aspinall, that's where his attention is there.
08:54Does that bother you at all? Do you see that as him looking past you?
08:57Sure, good. That's not a good thing to do. I mean, I'm looking at Saturday, me and him. That's all I care about, John Jones. So, my fate, my mind is on him.
09:06Sorry, just, with the time off, do you envision any sort of, like, needing a minute or two to get your foot back, or does that not matter to you at this point?
09:15No. I'm good. No questions.
09:20Your head coach, Marcus Marinelli, is someone over the years that hasn't received the most attention, but has stuck by your side and basically dedicated his life to helping you improve as a fighter.
09:29What does that mean to you, not as a fighter, but as a person?
09:32Well, he hasn't just dedicated his life to, like, me. I'm, like, special. We have all our fighters. It's not just me. We have the whole team.
09:44He puts all his time and effort into us. He gives everything he's got, which is what you want. He's my best friend. He's the godfather to my daughter. That's how much I love him, man.
09:53That's how much I look up to him. He'll get his recognition. He's doing well. The thing about him is that he gets homegrown guys, he makes them good.
10:05A lot of guys like to change gyms, and gyms get guys from other places, and he doesn't. We do, but they're mostly homegrown guys, which is, that's hard to do.
10:14He's doing something right.
10:15And just one more for me. You're a big Cleveland Guardians fan. They actually brought you out to game five of their series with the Tigers.
10:21They won that game, but it went on to lose to the New York Yankees. Is there any part of you that wants to get this back for Cleveland, or does that not matter to you at all?
10:28No, of course, man. Cleveland's best. I want to give them something to celebrate about, and the Cavs are killing it right now. They're 12-0. I mean, let's go.
10:36They'll make it to the finals, win it, and we'll have a bunch of championships again to celebrate and have a good time in Cleveland.
10:50Hello, Stipe.
10:51Hey, buddy.
10:52How much are you proud of Croatian roots?
10:57I mean, best country in the world.
11:01What was the last time you visited Croatia?
11:042019, 2020, just because of COVID and everything. It was hard to get over there. Puzzled the kids.
11:11Any plans to visit again?
11:13Yes, we are going to. Actually, I'm going to bring my mother. She wants to go, but I'm going to wait until I try to get a little bit older.
11:18Well, my daughter's good, but I'm going to wait until I'm a little bit older.
11:21And once you guys try to get him pie-trained, oh my God, it's terrible. So once he gets pie-trained, a little bit older, we'll be good.
11:27Saturday night, Croatia will be awake and watching your fight.
11:32What would be your message to your Croatian fans?
11:35Thank you. Thank you for all your support. It means the world to me and new.
11:40And also, my last question is, recently, a great NFL coach, Bill Belichick, got Croatian citizenship.
11:47Actually, he got a Croatian passport. Would you like to have one?
11:52I'm already on it. Me and my wife are already on it. We've been talking about it.
11:58Maybe. Okay.
12:01Skabe, you've been tight with LeBron in the past. Are you still close with him? And when was the last time you guys spoke?
12:07Well, I mean, I don't have his number. I'm like, hey, what's up, buddy? No, he's gone doing his thing, man.
12:15He's got bigger fish to fry than talk to me.
12:19No, I mean, we had met the one time. We took a picture. I'm a good dude. And that was about it. So we're familiar with the best.
12:24Awesome. Then one more real quick. If you could challenge one person in the world, not in the UFC, to a fight in the ring, who would it be?
12:30My wife.
12:32Why your wife?
12:34Because she beats me up all the time. I'm joking.
12:39No, I don't know. I don't know. That's a good question. I really never thought about that.
12:45Is that when I'm like, I wish I could in a hypothetical world?
12:49Yeah, no, it would never happen. She still beat me up. That's paramount. She would still win, which doesn't matter. So I would lose.
12:54Appreciate it.
12:56On a quick lighter note, you're famously a firefighter. There's crazy stories from firefighters all the time.
13:02What is a funny, goofy, lighthearted thing that you've had maybe recently or this past year or whenever at the department?
13:11Oh, I mean.
13:15Sounds like you can't say a couple of them.
13:17Yeah, they're pretty much X-rated, so you can't really say I'm joking.
13:24Well, I had one time, so there's nothing terrible about it.
13:29I remember I had one guy at our station, and I had a massive pimple on my back.
13:33I'm like, yo, Ron, dude, you gotta apologize for me.
13:35He's like, no.
13:37I'm like, please.
13:39I just begged him. Begged him fine. He's like, fine.
13:42So he gets up, and he's trying to get it.
13:44So we get one over here.
13:4618 or 20-gauge needle.
13:48He hits it. Nothing.
13:50We get a 16.
13:52Man, that thing popped.
13:53Man, that mucous plug of that pimple, dude, it was disgusting.
13:56For like four feet.
13:57Until I started dry heaving, it was great.
13:59It was fantastic.
14:00I mean, that was like a little itty-bitty, but it was nothing compared to what we've done.
14:03But, yeah, I mean, it's a time.
14:06I regret asking. Sorry.
14:07Yeah, it was disgusting.
14:09It was amazing, though.