Tag: Stipe Miocic

Jon Jones’ Coach On Not Fighting Tom Aspinall Next: ‘Stipe Miocic Deserves Better…’

Jon Jones’ coach, Greg Jackson, recently explained why his star pupil is slated to face Stipe Miocic next rather than Tom Aspinall. “Bones” is preparing for what could be both the first and final defense of his undisputed heavyweight title as he faces former champion Miocic in the headlining bout of UFC 309. The highly […]

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Jon Jones’ coach, Greg Jackson, recently explained why his star pupil is slated to face Stipe Miocic next rather than Tom Aspinall.

“Bones” is preparing for what could be both the first and final defense of his undisputed heavyweight title as he faces former champion Miocic in the headlining bout of UFC 309. The highly anticipated showdown is set for November 16 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City.

This matchup has been a priority for Jones since his heavyweight debut in March 2023. He’s even considered retiring after potentially defeating Miocic, widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight champion.

The Jones vs. Miocic matchup has faced considerable backlash from the MMA community, with many arguing that interim heavyweight champion Aspinall, who is also the backup fighter, is the rightful challenger.

Some have even suggested that Jones should remain available after UFC 309 for a title unification bout. However, “Bones” has consistently dismissed the prospect, making it clear he has no interest in facing Aspinall.

Jackson Defends Jones vs. Miocic Matchup: ‘It’s Really Two Legends Fighting Each Other’

During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, Jackson was prompted to shed light on Jones’ fervor to face Miocic next, rather than focusing on rising contenders like Aspinall or Curtis Blaydes.

The Jackson’s MMA Acoma founder elaborated that this fight represents a legacy moment for “Bones.” He emphasized that while there will always be emerging challengers, the upcoming bout at UFC 309 is a legendary clash aimed at determining who truly stands out among the elite.

“I think because Stipe is so legendary—I mean, the guy’s one of the best heavyweights,” Jackson said. “You could argue he’s one of the best heavyweights ever—so I think that’s the challenge that Jon needs because there’s always going to be young guys coming up, there’s always going to be a new phenom, and there’s always going to be another guy that’s like, ‘Oh, this guy’s super tough.’ So I think the attraction for Jon in that is it’s really two legends fighting each other.”

Jackson further emphasized that Jones has accomplished so much in his career that he no longer feels the need to validate himself against any competitor; he can choose whoever he wants to fight.

“At this point in Jon’s career, he doesn’t need to fight; he could stop today and be fine. But I think that gets him up for Stipe—the idea of Stipe and how great he is, and how tough he is, and to compete against that. I think he’s looking for a legacy thing, in my opinion… I do know that we had this fight locked up before any of that drama happened, so to me, it would be a terrible move to tell Stipe, ‘Oh, never mind, we’re not gonna fight you after all; we’re gonna go after this guy.’ I mean, Stipe deserves better than that. He’s not only a great fighter but also a great guy.””

Jones was last active when he captured the heavyweight title by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. He was scheduled to fight Miocic at UFC 295 last November, but “Bones” was forced to withdraw just days before the bout due to a pectoral injury.

Continue Reading Jon Jones’ Coach On Not Fighting Tom Aspinall Next: ‘Stipe Miocic Deserves Better…’ at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier Certain Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic Will Avoid Facing Backup Fighter Tom Apsinall at UFC 309

Daniel Cormier Certain Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic Will Avoid Facing Backup Fighter Tom Apsinall at UFC 309Tom Aspinall may officially be the backup for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, but Daniel Cormier can’t see either…

Daniel Cormier Certain Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic Will Avoid Facing Backup Fighter Tom Apsinall at UFC 309

Tom Aspinall may officially be the backup for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, but Daniel Cormier can’t see either one of them actually fighting the interim UFC heavyweight champion in NYC.

18 months removed from his title-winning performance against Ciryl Gane to claim the undisputed heavyweight crown, ‘Bones’ is scheduled to defend his belt against the greatest fighter the division has ever seen on Saturday, November 16 inside Madison Square Garden.

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Jones vs. Miocic was originally scheduled to go down last November, but a pectoral injury forced Jones out of the bout. That paved the way for Tom Aspinall to step in and take home the interim heavyweight title via a stunning first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295.

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Since then, Aspinall has been angling hard for a fight with Jones. Instead, he’ll have to settle for a backup role at UFC 309, but even if one of the two headliners is unable to make the walk come fight night, Cormier isn’t convinced that either one of them would actually agree to fight Aspinall on short notice.

“Guess what Chael [Sonnen]? Now you have the opportunity to be let down,” Cormier said on a recent episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy with co-host Chael Sonnen. “Step into my shoes for once… If one of those dudes [Jones or Miocic] gets hurt, neither one of them is fighting Tom Aspinall. You’re out of your mind. No way! When Jon Jones got hurt the first time [at UFC 295] Sergei Pavlovich was the backup fighter who fought. If somebody gets hurt, get ready for Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane. Mark my words, there you go” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Cormier thinks it’s a matter of ‘risk vs. reward’ for Jon jones and stipe miocic

Cormier doesn’t necessarily think it would be a matter of Jones or Miocic being scared of Tom Aspinall. Instead, he thinks it comes down to a case of “risk vs. reward” for the two combat sports icons who are in the twilight of their respective careers.

“It’s not even about being scared. It’s not even, it’s about risk management Chael,” Cormier continued. “Whoever, if someone gets hurt in this fight, the reward versus the risk of fighting Tom Aspinall is so great, I don’t believe that either of them will do it. Love that it’s a part of the story now. We all love the story, we love a great story but I don’t know that plays.

“I don’t think he’s scared Chael. But again, it’s risk vs. reward. Jon Jones, I will tell you this right now, Jon Jones. To his credit, a win over Tom Aspinall does nothing more for Jon Jones than a win over me or Vitor Belfort or Rashad Evans or Shogun Rua or Alexander Gustaffson and all these list of great fighters that he’s already beat.” Cormier added, “But losing to Tom Aspinall, losing to Tom Aspinall does do something because now you see him lose. He’s never lost. That matters to him now.”

Daniel Cormier: Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Haven’t Agreed To Tom Aspinall Back-Up Role

Following the official announcement for Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, Tom Aspinall was confirmed to be the back-up. Many have been campaiging for the interim champion to get the next shot at Jones’s heavyweight title, rather than the rescheduled clash with Miocic. Dana White said himself in a […]

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Following the official announcement for Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, Tom Aspinall was confirmed to be the back-up.

Many have been campaiging for the interim champion to get the next shot at Jones’s heavyweight title, rather than the rescheduled clash with Miocic.

Dana White said himself in a recent press conference that Aspinall is next for whatever happens in this division and will therefore, be in New York ready to make weight if required.

However, this then opens up the question of whether Jones or Miocic would even contemplate fighting Aspinall on short notice, if either man does pull out before November 16.

Daniel Cormier Calls Chael Sonnen ‘Gullible’ For Thinking That Jones & Miocic Agreed To Fight Aspinall

In a recent episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy, Chael Sonnen asked Daniel Cormier whether he could confirm that Aspinall being the back-up means that Jones and Miocic had to sign off on it.

Cormier’s response was to laugh at Sonnen for even suggesting that this would be a possibility, labelling him as “gullible”.

“No, it does not mean that. What it means is now we have another opportunity for disappointment. See that’s the difference between living, hey, that’s the difference between growing up in a mansion and growing up in the ghetto. In the ghetto, you learn to expect disappointment. You learn to be let down, that is just the way it is. So guess what Chael, now you have an opportunity to be let down so step into my shoes once. If one of those dudes get hurt, neither one of them is fighting Tom Aspinall. You’re out of your mind, no way.”

To illustrate his point, Cormier pointed to UFC 295 last year where Jones did pull out of the fight but there was a back-up fighter on hand.

Despite Sergei Pavlovich being ready to take his place, Miocic chose to wait for “Bones”, instead which led to the creation of the interim title which was won by Aspinall.

Cormier finished his statement by making a bold prediction of what will actually happen if either man withdraws.

“When Jon Jones got hurt the first time, Sergei Pavlovich was the back-up fighter, who fought? Who fought? If somebody gets hurt, get ready for Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane, mark my words.”

Read also: Former Champ Skeptical Of Michael Chandler Beating ‘Meaningful Favorite’ Charles Oliveira At UFC 309

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier: Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Haven’t Agreed To Tom Aspinall Back-Up Role at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier Explains Why Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Won’t Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Risk vs. Reward’

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is officially scheduled for November 17, 2024, at UFC 309. The fight was originally booked to headline Madison Square Garden in 2023 but was called off because of Jones’ injury. This time, Aspinall will be the backup fighter for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title fight. Considering he’s been the interim […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Explains Why Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Won’t Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Risk vs. Reward’ at MMA News.

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is officially scheduled for November 17, 2024, at UFC 309. The fight was originally booked to headline Madison Square Garden in 2023 but was called off because of Jones’ injury.

This time, Aspinall will be the backup fighter for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title fight. Considering he’s been the interim champ for almost a year and has defended the belt once, many fans want him to get at least a shot at earning undisputed gold.

In contrast to Chael Sonnen, Daniel Cormier believes that if Jones vs. Miocic doesn’t happen, none of the UFC veterans will risk fighting Tom Aspinall.

Daniel Cormier Compares Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic To Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira To Claim Back-Up Fighters Are Irrelevant

Sonnen and Cormier discussed the UFC 309 main event on the latest episode of Good Guy / Bad Guy on the official ESPN MMA YouTube channel. “The American Gangster” stated that if Aspinall is officially the backup fighter, it is only after both “Bones” and Miocic have agreed to it.

Cormier asked Sonnen to hold his horses, reminding him that Sergei Pavlovich was the backup fighter for Jones vs. Miocic in 2023. Similarly, Mateusz Gamrot was the backup fighter for Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev in 2023. While Pavlovich never got to fight any of the legends, Alexander Volkanovski hopped past Gamrot to fight Makhachev.

After proving that the concept of a backup fighter is not as concrete as it sounds, Cormier also claimed that Jones and Miocic are unlikely to fight Aspinall as a backup. He admitted that none of the UFC greats are scared, but they can’t risk losing to him at the final stages of their careers.

“It’s not even about being scared. It’s not even, it’s about risk management Chael. Whoever, if someone gets hurt in this fight, the reward versus the risk of fighting Tom Aspinall is so great, I don’t believe that either of them will do it. Love that it’s a part of the story now. We all love the story, we love a great story but I don’t know that plays.

This applies greatly to Jones, who’s been technically undefeated his whole career. If he wants to go out with a perfect record, he’d prefer fighting an old but popular Miocic over Aspinall who’s knocking heavyweights out cold at a gallop.

“I don’t think he’s scared Chael. But again, it’s risk vs. reward. Jon Jones, I will tell you this right now, Jon Jones. To his credit, a win over Tom Aspinall does nothing more for Jon Jones than a win over me or Vitor Belfort or Rashad Evans or Shogun Rua or Alexander Gustaffson and all these list of great fighters that he’s already beat.” Cormier added, “But losing to Tom Aspinall, losing to Tom Aspinall does do something because now you see him lose. He’s never lost. That matters to him now.”

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Explains Why Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Won’t Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Risk vs. Reward’ at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier Explains Why Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Won’t Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Risk vs. Reward’

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is officially scheduled for November 17, 2024, at UFC 309. The fight was originally booked to headline Madison Square Garden in 2023 but was called off because of Jones’ injury. This time, Aspinall will be the backup fighter for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title fight. Considering he’s been the interim […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Explains Why Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Won’t Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Risk vs. Reward’ at MMA News.

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is officially scheduled for November 17, 2024, at UFC 309. The fight was originally booked to headline Madison Square Garden in 2023 but was called off because of Jones’ injury.

This time, Aspinall will be the backup fighter for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title fight. Considering he’s been the interim champ for almost a year and has defended the belt once, many fans want him to get at least a shot at earning undisputed gold.

In contrast to Chael Sonnen, Daniel Cormier believes that if Jones vs. Miocic doesn’t happen, none of the UFC veterans will risk fighting Tom Aspinall.

Daniel Cormier Compares Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic To Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira To Claim Back-Up Fighters Are Irrelevant

Sonnen and Cormier discussed the UFC 309 main event on the latest episode of Good Guy / Bad Guy on the official ESPN MMA YouTube channel. “The American Gangster” stated that if Aspinall is officially the backup fighter, it is only after both “Bones” and Miocic have agreed to it.

Cormier asked Sonnen to hold his horses, reminding him that Sergei Pavlovich was the backup fighter for Jones vs. Miocic in 2023. Similarly, Mateusz Gamrot was the backup fighter for Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev in 2023. While Pavlovich never got to fight any of the legends, Alexander Volkanovski hopped past Gamrot to fight Makhachev.

After proving that the concept of a backup fighter is not as concrete as it sounds, Cormier also claimed that Jones and Miocic are unlikely to fight Aspinall as a backup. He admitted that none of the UFC greats are scared, but they can’t risk losing to him at the final stages of their careers.

“It’s not even about being scared. It’s not even, it’s about risk management Chael. Whoever, if someone gets hurt in this fight, the reward versus the risk of fighting Tom Aspinall is so great, I don’t believe that either of them will do it. Love that it’s a part of the story now. We all love the story, we love a great story but I don’t know that plays.

This applies greatly to Jones, who’s been technically undefeated his whole career. If he wants to go out with a perfect record, he’d prefer fighting an old but popular Miocic over Aspinall who’s knocking heavyweights out cold at a gallop.

“I don’t think he’s scared Chael. But again, it’s risk vs. reward. Jon Jones, I will tell you this right now, Jon Jones. To his credit, a win over Tom Aspinall does nothing more for Jon Jones than a win over me or Vitor Belfort or Rashad Evans or Shogun Rua or Alexander Gustaffson and all these list of great fighters that he’s already beat.” Cormier added, “But losing to Tom Aspinall, losing to Tom Aspinall does do something because now you see him lose. He’s never lost. That matters to him now.”

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Explains Why Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic Won’t Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Risk vs. Reward’ at MMA News.

Jon Jones Will ‘More Than Likely’ Retire After Stipe Miocic Fight at UFC 309

UFC 309 could be the last time Jon Jones steps inside of the Octagon. The heavyweight champion told Clocked N’ Loaded his Nov. 16 clash with Stipe Miocic is…

UFC 309 could be the last time Jon Jones steps inside of the Octagon. The heavyweight champion told Clocked N’ Loaded his Nov. 16 clash with Stipe Miocic is…