No one expects Stipe Miocic to hang around after his anticipated Jon Jones clash and that includes UFC CEO Dana White.
White is so confident that Miocic will retire after the previously planned Heavyweight title fight fell through that it’s a guarantee in his mind. Therefore, whether or not Miocic can make history and become a three-time undisputed champion or not against Jones (likely in November 2024), the interim champion, Tom Aspinall, will have his hands full with more complications.
“Stipe 100 percent is going to retire after this fight,” White told Kevin Iole (h/t MMA Fighting). “Listen, Jon Jones, you know how I talk about Jon Jones and what I think of Jon Jones as a fighter — Jon Jones always loves to challenge himself, moved up to Heavyweight.
“I don’t know what Jon Jones will do after this fight, but I would be shocked if he didn’t want to test himself against Aspinall,” he concluded.
Knowing Miocic, 41, is for sure hanging up the gloves with this Jones fight makes it even more pointless than it already was after his three-year hiatus following a second round knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. However, White can’t be swayed. Whether that’s on the topic of the match up itself or “Bones” unequivocal and impossible superhuman superiority in any combat variant that’s ever existed.
“Everything I’m saying, these are f*cking facts,” White said. “It’s not like me and Jon Jones have this unbelievable relationship like I have with Ronda [Rousey] and Chuck Liddell and Conor [McGregor] and some of these guys that have fought in the past. You know this is not the case. What I am saying about Jon Jones is undebatable.
“[It’s] undebatable what this guy has accomplished in his career, and if he beats Stipe and he comes out and fights Tom Aspinall and beats him, it’s already undeniable — nobody, I don’t care how much you dislike Jon Jones for what he’s done, this isn’t about personally who Jon Jones is and do you like him, we’re talking about the baddest dude to ever walk the face of the Earth in combat sports already — if he goes out and beats Tom Aspinall, he cements his legacy as the greatest fighter of all-time,” he concluded.