White: Miocic is the complete opposite of disrespected
Dana White: “That would have been Stipe if Stipe won the fight. No disrespect to Stipe. It was just something that was in place before that fight even happened.”
Daniel Cormier became champ champ at UFC 226, and entered the conversation about greatest of all time, with a KO win over Stipe Miocic. The moment of extraordinary achievement descended immediately into buffoonery, as Brock Lesnar entered the Octagon in full heel mode.
Lesnar was coming off back to back losses in 2010-2011. He had one fight since, which was declared a No Contest after he failed an anti-doping test. It’s a wildly disqualifying background for a title fight, and it will sell a huge number of pay per views, giving Cormier a big, deserved retirement fund. And at there isn’t a massive audience for DC vs. CM Punk.
However, Miocic argues rationally that he deserves a rematch.
“I cleaned out the division,” he said. “I defended it more than anyone, and you’re gonna tell me I don’t deserve a chance to get it back? Get out of here. Kiss my ass if you don’t think I deserve that.”
From Miocic’s perspective, it was just the latest in a line of steps by the company that Stipe felt were disrespectful, including opponents earning more than he did, Ngannou getting more focus than he did, and more. However, during a recent appearance on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, UFC president Dana White said it was simply circumstances, and not intended as disrespect at all.
I don’t know why – Stipe always feels like we’re disrespecting him, which we’re not, said White, as transcribed by MMAjunkie. We have a lot of respect for Stipe and I think he feels like it took him a very long time to get his title shot and he felt it took him longer than it should have. Then once he got it – every time I turn around he feels disrespected. He’s anything but disrespected. The complete opposite.
You saw that we set up the fight with Cormier to fight Brock. That would have been Stipe if Stipe won the fight. No disrespect to Stipe. It was just something that was in place before that fight even happened.