Stipe Miocic

By FCF Staff

It looks like Stipe Miocic won’t be challenging for the UFC’s heavyweight title next as expected, as the promotion reportedly plans to have him fight Ben Rothwell on October 24th. The heavyweight fight would be part of UFC Fight Night 76, which will take place in Dublin, Ireland.

News of the match-up is being reported by MMA Junkie, which cites multiple sources close to the situation.

After Fabricio Werdum tapped out Cain Velasquez in June, UFC President Dana White announced that Andrei Arlovski or Miocic would likely challenge for the title next. But following UFC 190 earlier this month, White said Werdum-Velasquez was being considered.

Arlovski has since been booked to fight Frank Mir on September 5th.

Miocic (13-2) is coming off a one sided, stoppage win over Mark Hunt in May, while Rothwell (35-9) submitted Matt Mitrione in June.

UFC FN 76 will be headlined by a lightweight fight between Joseph Duffy and Dustin Poirier.