For Stipe Miocic, UFC on FOX 10 just the latest 'biggest fight'

For heavyweight slugger Stipe Miocic (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), this weekend’s UFC on FOX 10 event will provide him with the biggest opportunity of his young career. Of course, with the progression Miocic has made in the past four years, that’s par for the course.

“Every fight you have to bring it like it’s the biggest fight of your career,” Miocic told MMAjunkie. “I’m excited for it. I’ll be ready.”

Miocic meets Gabriel Gonzaga (16-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) in the co-feature of Saturday’s FOX-broadcast main card from Chicago’s United Center. It will be his first appearance on network television.

Miocic currently sits at No. 11 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings, while Gonzaga owns honorable mention recognition. But Gonzaga boasts a history in the sport that is best highlighted by a pair of 2007 fights with MMA legends Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Randy Couture.

“He’s a tough dude,” Miocic admitted. “He’s fought ‘Cro Cop.’ He fought Couture for the title. He’s a tough guy.”

Miocic opened his professional career with nine straight wins, a run that included UFC victories over Shane del Rosario, Phil de Fries and Joey Beltran. However, when he was tapped to headline 2012's UFC on FUEL TV 5 event, he fell short against Stefan Struve. That loss brought a few questions as to Miocic’s upside, but the 31-year-old answered his critics this past June, when he bounced back with a decision win over the always durable Roy Nelson.

“Every fight, you’ve got to win,” Miocic said. “I just definitely needed to win to get back on track.

“It built my confidence up. That’s what I needed, and it’s getting better and better every day.”

Gonzaga, whose career has been reborn in a recent 5-1 stretch, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. However, he also possesses knockout power, as witnessed by his recent first-round stoppages of Shawn Jordan and Dave Herman.

Miocic said he’s aware of Gonzaga’s power but doesn’t believe it’s especially problematic.

“He’s a big dude, hits hard,” Miocic said. “I think everybody does in this division. It really doesn’t take a lot.

“I think every fight I have a different gameplan tailored to that guy. My coaches always have me prepared well, and I’m going to do what I do when I go in there. I think if I do what I do, I’ll be fine.”

A win over a quality heavyweight like Gonzaga would certainly go a long way toward elevating Miocic back to the status he enjoyed before the loss to Struve. Should be win impressively, Miocic would be knocking on the door of the top-10 and be in line for a big fight in the division.

But those big opportunities are nothing new. Every time he steps in the cage, Miocic believes it’s his next big shot.

“Keep winning,” Miocic said. “That’s the name of the game, right?”

For the latest on UFC on FOX 10, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.