Daniel Cormier has fought both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic in his illustrious UFC career. Miocic, considered the heavyweight GOAT is set to face heavyweight champ Jones, the MMA GOAT, on UFC 309. Ahead of this legacy-defining fight, which is expected to be ‘Bones’s last, it is well worth seeing what ‘DC’ has to say about the mega-clash.

Speaking to fellow UFC commentator Jon Anik on their ESPN MMA show, Cormier broke down what could be the ‘X-Factor’ that helps Jon Jones win the fight. The first, and perhaps obvious one, was for the heavyweight champ to exploit any opening that Miocic gives him.

“So for Jon Jones [the X-Factor] is going to be taking advantage opportunities, right. Stipe does leave openings, but you’ve got to be able to capitalize on them. And knowing Jon Jones the fighter, he will do that,” he said.

In addition, the UFC Hall of Famer felt that Jones would need to combine his entire dynamic arsenal with range management to have a shot at beating the wily and ever-dangerous Stipe Miocic.

Elbows will be very obvious for him, he will have to be able to use his range, distance and be diverse in the attacks. He’s got to throw knees, he’s got to throw those nice body kicks, leg kicks, he’s got to use all of his weapons,” Cormier added.

Jones is perhaps the most dynamic, creative, and intelligent striker of his generation. Not to mention the champ is very patient and not one to force things. The kind of plan Cormier has sketched out for Jones is exactly what one would expect of the champ. After all, there is a reason he is considered the greatest ever, and his incredible fight IQ is one of them. On the other hand, ‘DC’ had a diametrically opposite game-plan for Miocic to win the heavyweight title off of ‘Bones’.

‘DC’ feels Miocic will need all his brawn to beat Jon Jones

Daniel Cormier feels that Miocic’s biggest advantage against Jones would be his size. After all, the former champ is a natural heavyweight, unlike Jones, who had to spend three years bulking up enough to move from light heavyweight to heavyweight. While both men stand at 6’4″, Miocic is clearly the bigger man. That is why Cormier wants Miocic to ‘bully’ Jones using his size.

“And for Stipe Miocic, guys, it’s about being the bully. He has got to show this guy ‘I’m a real heavyweight, I’ve been here, I’ve defended this belt, I have fought the best of the best. “And the one thing that should give him confidence is watching Jon Jones against other big guys- Thiago Santos, Dominic Reyes- they gave him problems but none of them were Stipe Miocic,” Cormier said.

While most are expecting Jones to win hands down, that is not what Cormier feels. “This fight is much closer than most people want to believe,” ‘DC’ declared. And Cormier, being perhaps both men’s most well-known opponent, knows what he is talking about. What do you think about Daniel Cormier’s take on the Jones-Miocic fight?