Stipe Miocic: All I care about is a UFC title shot
Stipe Miocic didn't just dominate Mark Hunt en route to a fifth-round TKO win, the Cleveland fighter set a record for most strikes landed in a single fight. Miocic landed 361 to Hunt's 46, overall.
Speaking with Submission Radio afterwards, the plain-spoken contender said that making history was nice, but that getting the win was most important. "It was pretty cool, man," he admitted.
"You know it's cool to be a part of something, but like I said, all I care about is getting that 'W,' man, no matter how many punches. It could have been 10 punches, it could have been 4,000. I don't care. As long as I get the 'W'."
When a fighter throws as many strikes as Miocic did against as resilient an opponent as Hunt is, there is always a chance they could "punch themselves out," and become fatigued after such a tiring offensive output. Miocic said that the prospect did cross his mind, but he had confidence in his conditioning.
"It came to my mind, but you know my coaches train me well," he said.
"I have a great game plan when I walk in. You know, I throw a lot of punches. That's one of my game plans - I throw a lot of punches. I like to be in their face and I felt comfortable. If at any time I felt sick and tired, then I'd back off and look for another way. But, yeah, I felt great."
Hunt did not look like he felt anywhere near as good, of course. The 42-year-old legend's face was swollen and battered after the fight, due to rounds of mounting no real offensive of his own and simply absorbing punishment.
Miocic deferred to the referee's judgment, who decided to let Hunt continue to take a beating. "You know what? Not my decision," Miocic said.
"Mark's, like, one of the most durable guys. He's got a great chin, you know, and that's what the ref probably thought, too. And, I remember one time [Hunt] did say 'I'm fine.' He said, literally, 'I was fine,' in the middle of the fight."
As for what's next for the fireman and fighter, Miocic was clear that he only wants a title shot next. Interim title-holder Fabricio Werdum will face full champion Cain Velasquez in June in Mexico City, and Miocic wants the winner.
"Listen," he said, bluntly. "I want a shot at the title. That's all I care about."
If Miocic gets what he's earned, and then manages to become world champion, don't expect him to change his lifestyle much, however. In fact, he even promises to stay on the job at the fire station, even if he gets the golden UFC championship belt wrapped around his waist.
"Yeah," he said.
"I'll still be a fireman."
