Tag: Stipe Miocic

Derrick Lewis Calls It: Jon Jones Will Finish Stipe Miocic in First Round at UFC 309

UFC 309 Derrick Lewis on Jon Jones vs. Stipe MiocicHeavyweight knockout machine “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis has offered his pick for the UFC heavyweight championship showdown between…

UFC 309 Derrick Lewis on Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

Heavyweight knockout machine “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis has offered his pick for the UFC heavyweight championship showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The title tilt will place as the headlining fight of UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 17.

Derrick Lewis on Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

The US-born Derrick Lewis is a veteran of the UFC’s heavyweight division having a whopping 29 bouts in this organization since making his debut in 2014. This weekend, he faces Jhonata Diniz at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi.

‘Bones‘ Jon Jones was the long-reigning UFC light heavyweight champion racking up some incredible wins and remaining unbeaten as a titleholder. He defeated several notable fighters such as Rashad Evans, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Daniel Cormier, and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, among many more.

Jon Jones

Eventually, Jon Jones would vacate his light heavyweight strap and make a move to heavyweight. He captured the vacant title with a quick submission against Ciryl Gane in early 2023. Now, he is set to face the former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.

Stone Cold” Stipe Miocic set the record for most consecutive title defenses in UFC Heavyweight division history during his reign and has wins over fighters such as Fabricio Werdum, Alistair Overeem, and Daniel Cormier, among others. Miocic has not been active since 2021.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 27: Stipe Miocic prepares to fight Francis Ngannou during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

On squaring up the UFC 309 main event Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, Derrick Lewis said:

“I think Jones will beat him in the first round. It’s crazy to see a lot of people just disrespect Jones like that, like he ain’t the GOAT, for real. A lot of people keep throwing around these GOAT terms and this and that, Jones has been doing this for so many years at the top of the level against all these opponents, like top-ranked guys.

“Even though he have been having all this trouble outside the UFC, it’s like people outside the UFC don’t know, it’s 80% mental and 20% physical. If you don’t have the mentality going into these fights, you aren’t going to do well. For him to be going through all that stuff he been going through, and still beaten these guys like this, it says a lot.” [Ht BJPenn]

Mauricio Ruffy Gets New Opponent For UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Prelim

Highly touted lightweight prospect Mauricio Ruffy has a new foe to prepare for weeks out from the UFC 309 pay-per-view in New York City. After earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last year, Ruffy announced himself as one of the most promising up-and-comers at 155 pounds when he debuted in style this past […]

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Highly touted lightweight prospect Mauricio Ruffy has a new foe to prepare for weeks out from the UFC 309 pay-per-view in New York City.

After earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last year, Ruffy announced himself as one of the most promising up-and-comers at 155 pounds when he debuted in style this past May.

At UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, “One Shot” unloaded his arsenal on Jamie Mullarkey before utilizing a flying knee to set up a first-round knockout. The result left the Fighting Nerds standout riding a streak of five consecutive finishes with strikes.

Ruffy will look to keep his ball rolling at next month’s UFC 309 event, but not at the expense of the man he was originally lined up to face.

The Brazilian was added to the card in a matchup against Charlie Campbell, who has won both of his UFC fights to date. The American, however, was forced to withdraw, marking the latest issue in booking Ruffy’s return. He’d previously had plans for outings at UFC 303 and UFC 307 fall through.

Thankfully, the promotion has been able to secure a replacement opponent for the 28-year-old.

Mauricio Ruffy
UFC 309’s Mauricio Ruffy (Image: Alexandre Loureiro/UFC/Zuffa LLC)

Following the collapse of the Campbell matchup, Ruffy is now set to share the cage with James Llontop at UFC 309. The short-notice lightweight bout was first reported by Te La Canté MMA and later confirmed by Eurosport Nederland’s Marcel Dorff.

Peru’s Llontop has lost both of his UFC fights since a victory on DWCS in 2023, most recently falling on the wrong side of a split decision verdict opposite Viacheslav Borshchev in August.

With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 309 on Nov. 16 are as follows:

Main Card:

  • Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Jon Jones (C) vs. Stipe Miocic
  • Lightweight Co-Main Event: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
  • Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
  • Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
  • Middleweight: Eryk Anders vs. Chris Weidman

Preliminary Card:

  • Lightweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. James llontop
  • Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov
  • Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
  • Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson

Early Preliminary Card: 

  • Welterweight: Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
  • Welterweight: Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott
  • Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura

Continue Reading Mauricio Ruffy Gets New Opponent For UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Prelim at MMA News.

What’s Next After UFC 308? Full Confirmed UFC 309 Main Card For MSG On Nov. 16

UFC 308 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 309 in New York City. The promotion was in Abu Dhabi last week, where the Etihad Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in the Middle East. Of […]

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UFC 308 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 309 in New York City.

The promotion was in Abu Dhabi last week, where the Etihad Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in the Middle East. Of note were headline wins for Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev, as well as important victories for Magomed Ankalaev, Lerone Murphy, and Shara Magomedov.

While the aftermath of the October 26 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the featherweight title picture to the heavyweight championship conversation.

At UFC 309, set for the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 16, reigning kingpin Jon Jones will compete for the first time this year in defense of his gold. Following a submission of Ciryl Gane to capture the crown, “Bones” will finally face the challenge of returning legend Stipe Miocic 20 months later.

Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira looks to bounce back from his UFC 300 loss. To insert himself back into the title picture at 155 pounds, “Do Bronx” must get the better of the always entertaining Michael Chandler for the second time.

Nickal, Weidman, Silva Set The Stage For High-Profile Headliners At UFC 309

Before Jones defends his belt and Oliveira runs it back with Chandler, a number of other notable names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major UFC 309 card.

That includes fast-rising flyweight Karine Silva, who gets her toughest assignment to date opposite longtime contender Viviane Araújo. Having won all four of her UFC fights and risen to #11 on the ladder following a submission of Maryna Moroz and decision victory over Ariane Lipski, “Killer” will look to break into title contention at the expense of Araújo, who lost to Natália Silva last time out.

Prior to that, the undefeated Bo Nickal gets his latest test. As he looks to build his skills up outside the rankings, the wrestling specialist will meet a submission artist who has previously held numbers next to his name at both 185 and 205 pounds in Scotland’s Paul Craig.

And opening the UFC 309 main card will be a former champion as veteran Chris Weidman looks to secure his first win streak since he moved to 13-0 with a successful title defense against Vitor Belfort back in 2015. Following on from a controversial victory over Bruno Silva, the 40-year-old will make the walk inside MSG to do battle with ex-American football linebacker Eryk Anders.

Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the light heavyweight clash between #6-ranked contender Nikita Krylov and the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov, which is currently slated to top the preliminary portion of the event.

See below for the full UFC 309 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Jon Jones (C) vs. Stipe Miocic
  • Lightweight Co-Main Event: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
  • Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
  • Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
  • Middleweight: Eryk Anders vs. Chris Weidman

Preliminary Card:

  • Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov
  • Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
  • Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Welterweight: Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
  • Welterweight: Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott
  • Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura
UFC 309's Nikita Krylov
Image: UFC.com

Continue Reading What’s Next After UFC 308? Full Confirmed UFC 309 Main Card For MSG On Nov. 16 at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: ‘If He Shows Up…’

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou won’t dismiss Stipe Miocic’s chances of unseating Jon Jones from the throne next month. For only the second time since “The Predator” exited the promotion and relinquished the gold, the UFC’s heavyweight belt will be on the line at the annual Madison Square Garden-held pay-per-view in November After capturing […]

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: ‘If He Shows Up…’ at MMA News.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou won’t dismiss Stipe Miocic’s chances of unseating Jon Jones from the throne next month.

For only the second time since “The Predator” exited the promotion and relinquished the gold, the UFC’s heavyweight belt will be on the line at the annual Madison Square Garden-held pay-per-view in November

After capturing the vacant strap with a rapid submission of Ciryl Gane in his divisional debut last year, Jones will return from an injury layoff for a rescheduled defense opposite Miocic.

The 42-year-old Ohio native hasn’t competed since being brutally knocked out by Ngannou well over three years ago. That fact has left many doubting his prospects of regaining the heavyweight crown, and it’s made the Cameroonian fall on the side of “Bones.”

Ngannou Leans To Jones In UFC 309 Prediction, Says Miocic ‘Not Getting Any Younger’

During an appearance on the debut episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Ngannou was asked for his thoughts on the upcoming title fight in the division he formerly ruled over.

Given Miocic’s long spell on the sidelines and the uncertainty surrounding his fighting condition, “The Predator” is narrowly leaning the way of Jones for the UFC 309 headliner.

But should his ex-opponent turn up in the state that paved the way for two title reigns, Ngannou wouldn’t be surprised to see Madison Square Garden play host to an upset.

“Stipe hasn’t fought since what, three years and a half? So I don’t really know where he’s at. I don’t really know how he’ll show up,” Ngannou said. “He always shows up good, but it’s been a while, and he’s not getting younger. I think all those questions makes me slightly shift to Jones’ side.

“But Stipe is a guy that is very committed. When he shows up, he shows up in full,” Ngannou continued. “If he shows up in full, he can really surprise you. So I wouldn’t be surprised also if he wins.”

Regardless of Miocic’s condition when he makes the walk for the first time since 2021, Jones will look to establish firm dominance over the heavyweight legend to keep ahold of the belt in what many anticipate to be his final fight.

Ngannou, meanwhile, is just days away from his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts competition.

Following a pair of lucrative boxing matches opposite Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, “The Predator” will debut in the SmartCage as the headline act for the upcoming PFL pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: ‘If He Shows Up…’ at MMA News.

Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead of UFC 309 Clash with Jon Jones

UFC 309 is a big return for Jon Jones following the injury that he suffered ahead of UFC 295 in November of last year. However, it’s an even bigger comeback for the former champion Stipe Miocic who hasn’t fought in well over three years at this point. The last time that we saw him compete […]

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UFC 309 is a big return for Jon Jones following the injury that he suffered ahead of UFC 295 in November of last year. However, it’s an even bigger comeback for the former champion Stipe Miocic who hasn’t fought in well over three years at this point.

The last time that we saw him compete inside the Octagon was when he lost the title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March of 2021. Though Jones’ injury couldn’t be helped, it added even more time to Miocic’s layoff that many think will be too much for him to overcome at Madison Square Garden on November 16.

In a recent interview with James Lynch for Inside Fighting, heavyweight contender and former interim title challenger Curtis Blaydes gave his thoughts on the fight. Blaydes said the fight is so difficult to predict because we don’t know how Miocic is going to look after being gone for such a long time.

He is likely seen by many as the best heavyweight in UFC history but three years is a long-time for anyone to be inactive, let alone someone that is going to be fighting Jones for the title.

“Razor” did express some concerns about the health of the former champion based on second-hand comments that he has heard. Blaydes said that he has been hearing that Miocic didn’t appear to look at his best during his public appearances in recent times.

“I mean, who knows like Stipe has been gone for so long. Rust, it might be a factor, that’s something you gotta think about and like, I’ve been hearing that like whenever Stipe shows up at like an event or a press conference or a meet and greet or anything like that.

people have been saying that he’s got like a limp, he doesn’t look healthy, he looks smaller. I don’t know, right now, based on all that, I go Jon.”

Read also: Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

Continue Reading Curtis Blaydes Questions Stipe Miocic’s Readiness Ahead of UFC 309 Clash with Jon Jones at MMA News.

Former Opponent On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: ‘Not Bigger, Not Stronger, Striking Not Better!’

One of Jon Jones’ former opponents recently articulated his thoughts on the reigning UFC heavyweight champion’s upcoming matchup against Stipe Miocic. Jones is set to put his undisputed title on the line against former long-time champion Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York […]

Continue Reading Former Opponent On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: ‘Not Bigger, Not Stronger, Striking Not Better!’ at MMA News.

One of Jon Jones’ former opponents recently articulated his thoughts on the reigning UFC heavyweight champion’s upcoming matchup against Stipe Miocic.

Jones is set to put his undisputed title on the line against former long-time champion Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

This matchup has ignited a whirlwind of debate, with UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall repeatedly calling for a title unification bout. Despite these appeals, ‘Bones’ has remained firmly committed to facing Miocic. Jones’ adamant stance has provoked discontent among many fans, who argue that he is stalling the division and deliberately avoiding a showdown with Aspinall.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion has frequently expressed that facing Miocic is his dream fight and the primary reason for his move up to the heavyweight division. Jones has also alluded to the idea that defeating a legend like Miocic would be the final crowning achievement in his already stellar career, suggesting that after adding such a victory to his record, he may hang up his gloves.

However, Vitor Belfort believes that a fight against Miocic brings a lot of risk.

Belfort Thinks Miocic Has The Upper Hand Against Jones At UFC 309

During a recent interview with Inside Fighting, ‘The Phenom,’ who lost to Jones at UFC 152 in September 2012, shared his insights on the headlining bout of UFC 309. Belfort asserted that this matchup poses more risks than rewards for “Bones”, arguing that Jones would be tested to his limit against the 42-year-old veteran.

“If I can give any advice to Jon Jones, it’s to not fight him [Aspinall] because there is nothing to gain from that fight for Jon Jones,” Belfort said. “Jon Jones is going to have the greatest career. Let’s say he beats Miocic, which I think is going to be very hard. I love Jon Jones, and I think he has an amazing career, but you know, a lot of people think he’s bigger than Stipe Miocic. No, he’s not bigger, he’s not stronger, and his striking is not better than Stipe Miocic. Stipe Miocic is a great boxer; he can wrestle and he can grapple.”

Belfort also suggested that Jones is doing the right thing in not fighting Aspinall, as he poses a significant threat to the champion.

“Aspinall is a different beast. He’s so young; I mean, he’s the new generation—very dangerous, very explosive, very athletic. I don’t think unless Jon Jones is going to make millions of dollars. But I mean, if I’m Jon Jones, I would ask, ‘Why are you fighting him? If you win, cut it out, go retire, and be the best guy of all time.’ I’m thinking he would be the Tom Brady of MMA.”

Continue Reading Former Opponent On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: ‘Not Bigger, Not Stronger, Striking Not Better!’ at MMA News.