"First of all, I would love to share the Octagon with Daniel Cormier before he retires."
That's Francis Ngannou telling TMZ Sports why it would be an "honor" to fight UFC legend Daniel Cormier ... but insists it should be for the TRUE heavyweight belt and not "this interim sh*t."
Of course, Ngannou just destroyed Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 on Saturday -- his 4th straight 1st-round victory.
Most people think he deserves a title shot -- but the situation with Stipe Miocic is definitely complicating things.