Miocic: Jiu-jitsu harder when getting punched
Miocic knows that he is at a disadvantage in a jiu-jitsu match with Werdum, but warns that they are not in a jiu-jitsu match, and that punching can change things:
Stipe Miocic earned his UFC title on the laurels of his stand-up game, but he’ll have his hands full if champion Fabricio Werdum gets the fight to the ground. Fabricio Werdum is a world-class black belt, although he does have a very well-rounded fight game and excellent stand-up skills.
Miocic knows that he is at a disadvantage in a jiu-jitsu match with Werdum, but warns that they are not in a jiu-jitsu match, and that punching can change things:
Miocic has spent many years being soft-spoken and letting his actions speak for him. But he doesn’t have any problems making his case verbally prior to fight night.
Miocic concedes that Werdum is an excellent submission fighter, he just feels that he’ll be able to stifle that attack a bit with his fists.
“Definitely, he’s got a black belt, and he uses it well,” he allows. “But it gets harder to do jiu-jitsu when you get punched in the face.”