Stipe Miocic and the UFC Resume Contract Negotiations

UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic may be back in the Octagon sooner than fans expected. According to sources close to Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting, Miocic and the UFC have resumed their negotiations regarding the champ’s contract.

Miocic has been upset with his latest UFC contract and voiced that opinion throughout the year while a date for his return to slip farther away with each passing day. Miocic notably made less than his title fight counterpoint, and challenger, Alistair Overeem at UFC 203. Overeem took home an undisclosed sum of $800,000, while the champ pocketed $600,000.

Miocic is 17-2 in his pro career with his most recent bout coming against Junior dos Santos in a rematch that marked the second defense of his title. His next challenger will likely be the winner of UFC 218’s co-main event bout between Overeem and French prospect Francis Ngannou. That bout is set to take place on December 2^nd.

BJPenn.com learned through sources in July that Miocic was booked opposite former champion Cain Velasquez but the fight never came to fruition. Now, the 35-year-old Miocic looks to be closer to a return to the Octagon than he has all year. Furthermore, Miocic’s return would have historical implications with a win. A third defense of the heavyweight title would be a unique achievement for the division as no other champ has done it more than twice.

Who would you like to see Stipe Miocic defend his UFC heavyweight championship against next? Sound off PENN Nation!

on 16/11/2017.