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Coach Marcus Marinelli thinks Stipe Miocic is a bad matchup for Jon Jones.
Stipe Miocic’s head coach, Marcus Marinelli, thinks it would be wise for Jon Jones to stay in his lane at light heavyweight rather than take a risk at heavyweight.
Jones, who recently vacated the UFC light heavyweight title, plans to move up in weight and become a two-division champion but Marinelli doesn’t think the Jackson-Wink product stands much of a chance against Miocic.
Speaking to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto in a recent interview, Marinelli explained why Miocic is such a bad matchup for ‘Bones’.
“I think Stipe’s standup could shut down Jones, and just the size. Stipe is a very efficient 230-something pounds,” the heavyweight champ’s coach said. “He is extremely strong, stronger than anyone Jones has ran up against so far. And Stipe doesn’t move like a heavyweight, he moves like a middleweight. So, Jones wouldn’t have a speed advantage.”
Ngannou may be next, but Stipe’s head coach likes his chances against Jones too ??
(via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/6NizCVrBV7
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 3, 2020
Miocic recently completed his trilogy with Daniel Cormier at UFC 252, beating ‘DC’ via unanimous decision to cement his legacy as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.
Jones, 33, hasn’t fought since his controversial decision win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. The former two-time light heavyweight champion is #1 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.