Tag: Stipe Miocic

Jon Jones Shrugs Off ‘Ducking’ Aspinall Accusations: ‘Oh No, My World Is Over’

Jon Jones seems in no mood to entertain claims that he’s dodging a potential clash with Tom Aspinall. Jones is locked in to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 309, set for Nov. 16 at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City. During a […]

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Jon Jones seems in no mood to entertain claims that he’s dodging a potential clash with Tom Aspinall.

Jones is locked in to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 309, set for Nov. 16 at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City.

During a recent interview with MMA journalist Kevin Iole, “Bones” decisively dismissed the notion of facing interim champion Aspinall next, should he triumph over Miocic at UFC 309. He argued that, despite Aspinall’s persistent calls for a title unification fight, the Brit has yet to prove himself worthy of sharing the Octagon with him.

Instead, Jones hinted that the fight he’s truly eyeing after next weekend is a high-stakes showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, a bout that would solidify his legacy for good.

Jones has faced fierce backlash from a segment of the MMA community, with accusations swirling that he’s “ducking” a showdown with Aspinall. The drama recently spilled onto social media once again, where “Bones” fired back at his critics in a post that has since been deleted.

“I’m going to hide in my mansion and not come outside, people are calling me a duck come oh no my world is over” Jones tweeted. “What is this high school? lol”

Soon after, the longtime former UFC light heavyweight champion posted a more introspective reply, emphasizing that his actions are driven by purpose and that he remains unfazed by external criticism.

“As at this point in my career, every decision is rooted in purpose,” Jones posted. “My journey isn’t dictated by hype or outside opinions—it’s about crafting a legacy that speaks for itself, one step at a time. I’m here to do what’s right for my career and my legacy, with a vision that’s clear and unshakable. Focused, driven, and in complete control of myself. The story continues, and it’s unfolding exactly as I’ve envisioned.”

UFC 309 will mark Jones’ long-awaited return to the Octagon after more than a year on the sidelines since claiming the heavyweight title with a victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023.

He was initially slated to defend his title against Miocic at UFC 295, but the New Yorker was forced to withdraw just two weeks before the fight due to a torn pectoral muscle.

Continue Reading Jon Jones Shrugs Off ‘Ducking’ Aspinall Accusations: ‘Oh No, My World Is Over’ at MMA News.

Dana White & Jon Jones Share Contradictory Answers On If Aspinall Fight Will Happen After UFC 309

Dana White and Jon Jones recently offered starkly different opinions on whether the much-anticipated fight with Tom Aspinall will come to fruition following UFC 309. Jones is set to make the first defense of his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two were originally […]

Continue Reading Dana White & Jon Jones Share Contradictory Answers On If Aspinall Fight Will Happen After UFC 309 at MMA News.

Dana White and Jon Jones recently offered starkly different opinions on whether the much-anticipated fight with Tom Aspinall will come to fruition following UFC 309.

Jones is set to make the first defense of his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two were originally scheduled to face off at UFC 295 in November 2023, but the fight was scrapped at the last minute after “Bones” suffered a torn pectoral muscle.

As a result, Aspinall stepped in to claim the interim heavyweight title with a stunning knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. Since then, the Brit has been outspoken about his desire to face Jones in a title unification bout. However, the former light heavyweight champion has repeatedly brushed off the idea, with the UFC CEO also firmly asserting that Jones’ next challenge will remain Miocic.

Both Jones and Miocic have repeatedly suggested that their upcoming bout could mark the end of their careers. Despite that, in a recent interview with TNT Sports, White expressed his belief that the winner of UFC 309 would likely face Aspinall next.

But during an interview with MMA reporter Kevin Iole, “Bones” outright rejected the notion of facing Aspinall next should he emerge victorious against Miocic next weekend.

Jones argued that the interim heavyweight champion has yet to prove himself worthy of facing him in the Octagon.

“I feel like Tom Aspinall is — I don’t want to say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything; he hasn’t done anything. And I understand that, I mean, he won his belt against Sergei, but Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else. So it’s just like, I’m not here to gamble with someone else making a name off of me.”

Jones went on to say that he’s primarily focused on competing against high-profile opponents, those capable of elevating his already storied career. At the moment, reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is the opponent who piques his interest the most.

“If there were to be a fight with a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it but legacy-worthy, it would be Alex Pereira. Alex Pereira and I are both 37 years old right now. I weigh about 235 [pounds]; I’m an incredibly light heavyweight. I think Pereira walks around at 240, and I think that fight would add much more to my legacy than a young man who’s cool today and maybe gone tomorrow.”

Continue Reading Dana White & Jon Jones Share Contradictory Answers On If Aspinall Fight Will Happen After UFC 309 at MMA News.

Colby Covington Explains Why He’s Rooting For Miocic Over Jones At UFC 309: ‘A Real American With Morals & Values’

Colby Covington is throwing his support behind Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones in their upcoming title fight. Jones is set to defend his heavyweight belt against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, slated for Nov. 16 at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden. “Bones” enters the fight as a heavy favorite, […]

Continue Reading Colby Covington Explains Why He’s Rooting For Miocic Over Jones At UFC 309: ‘A Real American With Morals & Values’ at MMA News.

Colby Covington is throwing his support behind Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones in their upcoming title fight.

Jones is set to defend his heavyweight belt against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, slated for Nov. 16 at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden.

“Bones” enters the fight as a heavy favorite, with many MMA analysts predicting he’ll dominate the former champion with ease. However, Covington has offered a contrasting view, believing that Miocic is poised to deliver a stunning upset.

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Chaos” was asked to predict the UFC 309 headliner. The former interim welterweight champion commended Miocic’s relentless work ethic while casting aspersions on Jones, pointing to his turbulent past as a reason he believes “Bones” is unworthy of the victory.

“Stipe is a great American; he’s a patriot,” Covington said. “He’s a first responder, and the guy’s a hard worker. He’s managed being a firefighter while being a UFC champion. I mean, to have a double life like that is just so impressive, and I can only imagine his work ethic. So I’m really rooting for a real American, a guy that has morals and values — something that Jon lacks.

“He [Jones] has no morals and values; he’s a terrible person. He’s beaten his wife, he’s had multiple drug challenges, terrible steroid charges, so he’s not a good person. He doesn’t deserve to win, so I’m rooting for Stipe, and I hope he gets it done.”

Jones and Miocic were originally scheduled to clash at UFC 295 in November 2023. The fight was unexpectedly called off when the reigning champion sustained a torn pectoral muscle just weeks before the event.

The New Yorker claimed the heavyweight title with a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. Meanwhile, Miocic has been out of action for over three years. His last appearance came at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he was knocked out by Francis Ngannou, costing him the championship.

Continue Reading Colby Covington Explains Why He’s Rooting For Miocic Over Jones At UFC 309: ‘A Real American With Morals & Values’ at MMA News.

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