Miocic: I should get 1st dibs on Lesnar bout as champion

UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic doesn't understand why Jon Jones appears first in line for the potential Brock Lesnar sweepstakes.

Without indicating whether he wants to fight Lesnar, Miocic said earlier this week he believes he should get first dibs on that bout as the current titleholder of the division.

"A hundred percent I think so," Miocic said during an appearance on former UFC champ Michael Bisping's "Believe You Me" podcast. "If anything, I would get the Brock Lesnar fight first or be asked first. I didn't know (Jones) called the shots. I didn't know that."

Lesnar, a former UFC heavyweight champion and one of the biggest draws in MMA, recently became a free agent after his WWE contract expired, leading to speculation that the 43-year-old could return to the UFC after four years away.

Jones - a former light heavyweight champion who is planning to move up to heavyweight in his next fight - immediately expressed interest in facing Lesnar, and UFC president Dana White said last week he'd book Jones against Lesnar if the latter wanted it.

"Bones" previously called out Lesnar after a fight in 2017.

Meanwhile, Miocic expects to defend his belt in a rematch with top contender Francis Ngannou. The champ is coming off a win over Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 in August.