VIDEO | Fabricio Werdum Says Francis Ngannou Isn’t Ready For Stipe Miocic

If Fabricio Werdum’s turnaround from UFC 216 seems quick, that’s because it is, but Werdum knows what he’s doing. He’s been doing everything he can to get back the title that Stipe Miocic took from here and stacking together dominant performances in a short amount of time will only sway his chances. In an interview before his UFC Sydney fight, Werdum states that’s all he’s been waiting for and that surging contender Francis Ngannou just isn’t there yet.

“I want to show inside the cage that I’m waiting for the title shot. This, I think is the best way. I put in my mind, I’m just waiting for the title shot. How long am I waiting? I don’t want to have to wait for too much. I wait for like six months and one year for a [second] fight with Stipe Miocic. My big goal is not Stipe Miocic. My big goal is the belt. I want the belt. That’s it. It doesn’t matter who is there. In my mind, I’m waiting, waiting, waiting for a long time for the fight. I’m waiting, waiting, waiting and maybe these guys don’t get an opportunity. I want to show I’m waiting for the fight, for the title shot again. I have two belts in my home. I want number three.”

Can’t wait to defend my belt! pic.twitter.com/g7gyQMZeWt

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) October 23, 2017

“I think maybe [Alistair] Overeem [deserves a title shot], that’s okay, but Francis Ngannou shouldn’t have a chance for the title shot. And why? Because he just started. He does have a lot of wins in the UFC but I don’t he deserves it yet. I think for sure [if he beats Overeem]. I deserve it because I’ve been fighting for twenty years. I have a big history. Not just for now, not just for the last fight, I have a lot of things [I’ve accomplished]. I think I deserve the next one. I don’t think [Ngannou] can beat Stipe. I think Francis has good stand-up. He’s a very athletic guy, but I think on the ground, or wrestling, I don’t think he’s any good yet.” — Fabricio Werdum speaking to Submission Radio.

Fabricio Werdum last fought Stipe Miocic last year in May and lost by knockout in the very first round. Since then, he’s put together wins against Travis Browne and Walt Harris. He’ll look to improve to a two-fight win streak against Marcin Tybura this weekend at UFC Sydney. Threatening to be the next big thing, Francis Ngannou has blazed through the heavyweight rankings this year. His latest finish of Andrei Arlovski in the first rounds put him on a nine-fight win streak and undefeated so far in the UFC. He’ll fight Alistair Overeem at UFC 218 to make a case that he is ready for Stipe Miocic.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 11/17/2017.