Tag: Jon Jones

UFC 309 Analysis: Chael Sonnen Outlines Stipe Miocic’s Edge Over Jon Jones in Heavyweight Showdown

UFC 309 Analysis: Chael Sonnen Outlines Stipe Miocic’s Edge Over Jon Jones in Heavyweight ShowdownChael Sonnen believes there’s a chance that Stipe Miocic could shock fight fans and sportsbooks simultaneously in his long-awaited…

UFC 309 Analysis: Chael Sonnen Outlines Stipe Miocic’s Edge Over Jon Jones in Heavyweight Showdown

Chael Sonnen believes there’s a chance that Stipe Miocic could shock fight fans and sportsbooks simultaneously in his long-awaited return to the Octagon.

Nearly four years removed from his second-round knockout loss against Francis Ngannou, the former two-time titleholder will step back into the main event spotlight for a showdown with reigning and defending undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.

The two combat sports icons will headline UFC 309 on Saturday, November 16 when the promotion makes its annual pit stop at Madison Square Garden in NYC.

Stipe Miocic

Chael Sonnen Thinks Stipe Miocic can stop ‘Bones’ from taking him down

As it stands, ‘Bones’ is a massive 6-to-1 favorite to come out on top in his first defense of the heavyweight crown. However, not everyone thinks it’ll be a walk in the park for Jones.

That includes ‘The American Gangster‘ who offered his unique take on this month’s most anticipated title fight.

Stipe Miocic

“Well, Stipe’s old, but not much older than Jon,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “I won’t argue with you if you tell me that Stipe is old by fighter standards, but I would argue if you told me Jon was young.

“Do you believe that Jon can just take Stipe down whenever he wants? If you do believe that, remember, that’s something Daniel Cormier couldn’t do. In one of their fights, there were two takedowns, and Stipe got them both. I’m just reminding you: Do you believe that Jon can just take Stipe down?”

Miocic is 14-4 inside the Octagon with nine of those victories coming by KO. Miocic won two out of three in his critically acclaimed trilogy with Daniel Cormier and went 1-1 against Ngannou before walking away from the sport in 2021 to resume life as a firefighter in Cleveland, Ohio.

Stipe Miocic

Bo Nickal Breaks Down Jones vs. Miocic At UFC 309: ‘When I Look At Jon’s Tools…’

UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal will have a keen eye on the Nov. 16 main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic once his assignment on the night is complete. Nickal is set to feature on the main card of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden next weekend, where the main attraction will be the […]

Continue Reading Bo Nickal Breaks Down Jones vs. Miocic At UFC 309: ‘When I Look At Jon’s Tools…’ at MMA News.

UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal will have a keen eye on the Nov. 16 main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic once his assignment on the night is complete.

Nickal is set to feature on the main card of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden next weekend, where the main attraction will be the long-awaited first heavyweight title defense for an all-time great in Jones.

20 months on from his crowning and a year removed from an injury scuppering plans for a showdown with Miocic in New York City last year, “Bones” will make his return for a contest that many are expecting to be his last.

The common consensus appears to be that Jones will get past an aging Miocic who hasn’t competed since falling via knockout to Francis Ngannou in 2021 before hanging up his gloves. Miocic has heard that script and promised something different, vowing to shock the world with his performance.

Nickal, though, doesn’t appear convinced.

During a recent interview with former UFC and ONE Championship titleholder Demetrious Johnson, Nickal backed Jones to get the job done at MSG owing to the wide-ranging “tools” in his arsenal.

He did, however, highlight a potential path to victory for Miocic.

“First of, I love both those guys. They’re awesome, amazing competitors,” Nickal said. “If I had to pick who’s going to win the fight, I would say Jon, just because the long layoff for Stipe. And when I look at Jon’s tools, he’s just got such a diverse ray of attacks — offense and defense.

“I think if this fight were to go Stipe’s way, he would probably have to get Jon tired. But I think that Jon is just so savvy in there,” Nickal continued. “I would say the two smartest guys that I’ve seen fight are probably you (Johnson) and him, guys that I really respect their intelligence and their mind. I think a lot of people don’t talk about that in MMA…the most underrated part of Jon’s game.”

Jones will look to prove Nickal’s prediction right come fight night next weekend, when he headlines a pay-per-view card that also features a highly anticipated rematch between former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

Elsewhere on the lineup, Nickal himself returns to action opposite Paul Craig and middleweight great Chris Weidman looks to make it two wins from two in 2024 when he faces former American football linebacker Eryk Anders.

Continue Reading Bo Nickal Breaks Down Jones vs. Miocic At UFC 309: ‘When I Look At Jon’s Tools…’ at MMA News.

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: ‘It Wasn’t My Choice” for UFC 309

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: 'It Wasn't My Choice" for UFC 309Nearly three years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Stipe Miocic returns on Saturday, November 16 for…

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: 'It Wasn't My Choice" for UFC 309

Nearly three years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Stipe Miocic returns on Saturday, November 16 for a high-stakes heavyweight showdown with undisputed titleholder Jon Jones.

The last time fight fans saw the consensus heavyweight GOAT compete, he suffered a nasty second-round knockout loss against Francis Ngannou. Now, the Cleveland native is back and ready to retake the heavyweight crown when he meets ‘Bones’ in the UFC 309 headliner in Madison Square Garden.

Stipe Miocic

Much scrutiny has surrounded Miocic’s upcoming clash against Jones, much of it surrounding interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall who has been left by the wayside while the UFC continues to push Jones vs. Miocic.

After ‘Bones’ bowed out of his originally scheduled scrap with the two-time titleholder last November, an interim title was introduced at UFC 295 between Aspinall and Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall won the bout via a 69-second KO and has since defended the interim belt against Curtis Blaydes while waiting for ‘Bones’ to recover and settle his business with Miocic before a potential unification clash.

Stipe Miocic

However, Miocic himself was the subject of some criticism after he chose to stand aside and let Aspinall fight Pavlovich instead of accepting the Brit as a replacement opponent for his scrapped scrap with Jones. Miocic has also been healthy this entire year, meaning he could have stepped up and fought Aspinall for the interim title instead.

Responding to some of that criticism during an interview with MMA Fighting, Miocic passed the buck to the UFC.

”It wasn’t my choice. It’s a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to. They gave it to me” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Miocic did acknowledge that Aspinall is who the people want to see right now.

”[Tom Aspinall is] tough,” Miocic added. “He hits hard. Big boy. It’s what people want, he knocks people out.”

Stipe Miocic is confident in his game plan for jon jones

Regardless of the backlash, Stipe Miocic is looking forward to his return to MSG and is confident that he and his team have devised a game plan that will make him the UFC’s first-ever three-time heavyweight champion.

”We always come with a great game plan. They improvise and make everything right. As long as I go to the game plan, listen [to my coaches], we’ll be good… I think he’s [Jones] just good at what he does. He’s an artist! He knows how to mix it up. He knows how to keep a guy guessing him, you know? That’s why he’s done so well.”

Overall, Stipe Miocic is 20-4 in his mixed martial arts career with 14 of those wins coming by way of knockout. Miocic has held the heavyweight title on two separate occasions and defended it four times — more than any other heavyweight titleholder in UFC history.

Stipe Miocic

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: ‘It Wasn’t My Choice” for UFC 309

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: 'It Wasn't My Choice" for UFC 309Nearly three years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Stipe Miocic returns on Saturday, November 16 for…

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: 'It Wasn't My Choice" for UFC 309

Nearly three years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Stipe Miocic returns on Saturday, November 16 for a high-stakes heavyweight showdown with undisputed titleholder Jon Jones.

The last time fight fans saw the consensus heavyweight GOAT compete, he suffered a nasty second-round knockout loss against Francis Ngannou. Now, the Cleveland native is back and ready to retake the heavyweight crown when he meets ‘Bones’ in the UFC 309 headliner in Madison Square Garden.

Stipe Miocic

Much scrutiny has surrounded Miocic’s upcoming clash against Jones, much of it surrounding interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall who has been left by the wayside while the UFC continues to push Jones vs. Miocic.

After ‘Bones’ bowed out of his originally scheduled scrap with the two-time titleholder last November, an interim title was introduced at UFC 295 between Aspinall and Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall won the bout via a 69-second KO and has since defended the interim belt against Curtis Blaydes while waiting for ‘Bones’ to recover and settle his business with Miocic before a potential unification clash.

Stipe Miocic

However, Miocic himself was the subject of some criticism after he chose to stand aside and let Aspinall fight Pavlovich instead of accepting the Brit as a replacement opponent for his scrapped scrap with Jones. Miocic has also been healthy this entire year, meaning he could have stepped up and fought Aspinall for the interim title instead.

Responding to some of that criticism during an interview with MMA Fighting, Miocic passed the buck to the UFC.

”It wasn’t my choice. It’s a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to. They gave it to me” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Miocic did acknowledge that Aspinall is who the people want to see right now.

”[Tom Aspinall is] tough,” Miocic added. “He hits hard. Big boy. It’s what people want, he knocks people out.”

Stipe Miocic is confident in his game plan for jon jones

Regardless of the backlash, Stipe Miocic is looking forward to his return to MSG and is confident that he and his team have devised a game plan that will make him the UFC’s first-ever three-time heavyweight champion.

”We always come with a great game plan. They improvise and make everything right. As long as I go to the game plan, listen [to my coaches], we’ll be good… I think he’s [Jones] just good at what he does. He’s an artist! He knows how to mix it up. He knows how to keep a guy guessing him, you know? That’s why he’s done so well.”

Overall, Stipe Miocic is 20-4 in his mixed martial arts career with 14 of those wins coming by way of knockout. Miocic has held the heavyweight title on two separate occasions and defended it four times — more than any other heavyweight titleholder in UFC history.

Stipe Miocic

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: ‘It Wasn’t My Choice” for UFC 309

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: 'It Wasn't My Choice" for UFC 309Nearly three years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Stipe Miocic returns on Saturday, November 16 for…

Stipe Miocic on Facing Jon Jones Over Aspinall: 'It Wasn't My Choice" for UFC 309

Nearly three years removed from his last appearance inside the Octagon, Stipe Miocic returns on Saturday, November 16 for a high-stakes heavyweight showdown with undisputed titleholder Jon Jones.

The last time fight fans saw the consensus heavyweight GOAT compete, he suffered a nasty second-round knockout loss against Francis Ngannou. Now, the Cleveland native is back and ready to retake the heavyweight crown when he meets ‘Bones’ in the UFC 309 headliner in Madison Square Garden.

Stipe Miocic

Much scrutiny has surrounded Miocic’s upcoming clash against Jones, much of it surrounding interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall who has been left by the wayside while the UFC continues to push Jones vs. Miocic.

After ‘Bones’ bowed out of his originally scheduled scrap with the two-time titleholder last November, an interim title was introduced at UFC 295 between Aspinall and Russian knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall won the bout via a 69-second KO and has since defended the interim belt against Curtis Blaydes while waiting for ‘Bones’ to recover and settle his business with Miocic before a potential unification clash.

Stipe Miocic

However, Miocic himself was the subject of some criticism after he chose to stand aside and let Aspinall fight Pavlovich instead of accepting the Brit as a replacement opponent for his scrapped scrap with Jones. Miocic has also been healthy this entire year, meaning he could have stepped up and fought Aspinall for the interim title instead.

Responding to some of that criticism during an interview with MMA Fighting, Miocic passed the buck to the UFC.

”It wasn’t my choice. It’s a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to. They gave it to me” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Miocic did acknowledge that Aspinall is who the people want to see right now.

”[Tom Aspinall is] tough,” Miocic added. “He hits hard. Big boy. It’s what people want, he knocks people out.”

Stipe Miocic is confident in his game plan for jon jones

Regardless of the backlash, Stipe Miocic is looking forward to his return to MSG and is confident that he and his team have devised a game plan that will make him the UFC’s first-ever three-time heavyweight champion.

”We always come with a great game plan. They improvise and make everything right. As long as I go to the game plan, listen [to my coaches], we’ll be good… I think he’s [Jones] just good at what he does. He’s an artist! He knows how to mix it up. He knows how to keep a guy guessing him, you know? That’s why he’s done so well.”

Overall, Stipe Miocic is 20-4 in his mixed martial arts career with 14 of those wins coming by way of knockout. Miocic has held the heavyweight title on two separate occasions and defended it four times — more than any other heavyweight titleholder in UFC history.

Stipe Miocic

Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309

Tom Aspinall recently shared his insights on how Stipe Miocic could secure victory over Jon Jones in their highly anticipated title showdown. Jones is slated to put his undisputed heavyweight title on the line for his first defense against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden […]

Continue Reading Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309 at MMA News.

Tom Aspinall recently shared his insights on how Stipe Miocic could secure victory over Jon Jones in their highly anticipated title showdown.

Jones is slated to put his undisputed heavyweight title on the line for his first defense against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The clash between Jones and Miocic has ignited significant debate within the MMA community, with many asserting that interim heavyweight champion Aspinall — who also serves as the backup fighter — deserves the opportunity to compete in a title unification bout.

Aspinall might not see his dream of facing the winner of the UFC 309 headliner come to fruition, as Jones has stated that his showdown with Miocic is likely to be the last bout of his MMA career.

However, the Salford native has devised a strategy for how he would approach “Bones,” who is renowned for his grappling-heavy, pressure-fighting style in the Octagon.

During a recent interview with Safest Casino Sites, Aspinall outlined the game plan he would adopt if he were in Miocic’s position facing off against Jones.

The Jones vs. Miocic matchup was initially set for UFC 295 in November 2023. However, “Bones” had to withdraw from the bout due to a torn pectoral muscle.

Consequently, Aspinall stepped up to challenge Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title and has since defended that championship with a stunning knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July.

Continue Reading Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309 at MMA News.