Wi͏͏t͏h two title wins and three consecutive title defenses it͏ wouldn’͏t b͏e w͏rong t͏o cal͏l Stipe Miocic ‘the greatest he͏a͏vy͏w͏eight͏’ to ͏ever ͏comp͏ete ͏in͏ ͏͏th͏e p͏rom͏otio͏n͏. Desp͏ite his i͏mpre͏ssi͏ve ͏͏ac͏hievements, a͏͏͏n͏ ͏e͏͏͏xten͏ded ͏la͏y͏off͏ ͏coul͏d h͏͏i͏nder his am͏͏bi͏t͏i͏ons of def͏eating t͏h͏e heavyweig͏ht ch͏amp͏io͏n, Jo͏n͏ J͏͏ones. Regardless, the Croatian-American fighter seems unfazed and ready for Jones at UFC 309. However, it ap͏pears that͏ ‘B͏͏o͏nes’ is͏ convinced tha͏t ͏Mioc͏ic’s seemingl͏y i͏ndiffer͏͏͏e͏nt attitud͏e is just a͏ facade t͏o ͏mask an͏y fe͏ar ͏of thei͏r ͏i͏mpending͏ ͏figh͏t.͏

Going into the fight, the former champion has the following things working against him; his three years away from the sport, and his last fight being a brutal KO loss at the hands of Francis Ngannou. Another big factor is Miocic’s age, where at 42 years old, he will take on an opponent five years younger to him.

While having a conversation with Scott Fontana of ‘New York Post Sports’, Jon Jones was asked about his opinion on Stipe Miocic’s comeback to the sport after a three-year layoff. In reply, the heavyweight champion emphasized that this layoff and the prospect of facing Jones will definitely affect Miocic’s performance at UFC 309 – “Yeah, I’m sure it will affect him. Not only the layoff, but who he’s coming back to. I mean, he tries to act very indifferent during his interviews, like he just doesn’t care about anything.”

He further added, “He doesn’t care about the turnout, he doesn’t care about what the fans say, he doesn’t care about that. But, just human nature, you have to care. You have to have a ton of emotions going on inside. He hides them very well, but I’m sure he thinks about it every moment of the day. I mean, if he doesn’t care, better for me, but I’m sure he cares. And I’m sure he has to be nervous. I have some nerves too, you know; it just means that we care.”

After his loss to Ngannou, Miocic took a break from fighting stating that he had some personal issues to resolve before making an Octagon comeback. In addition, he wanted to ensure that he came back in the pink of his health. One contributing factor to the extended layoff is Jon Jones, who injured himself just before their scheduled UFC 295 and had to undergo pectoral surgery.

It’s normal for Stipe Miocic to have nerves about his matchup against Jones, but is he really stressed out? We, as fans will only find out on November 16th. Furthermore, another question regarding Jon Jones remains unanswered: Will he retire after defending his belt? Let’s find out.

Jon Jones gives a clear answer to Tom Aspinall, and his retirement

When Kevin Iole asked Jon Jones about his intentions to de͏fend͏ his title ͏against the interim heavyweight c͏ha͏mpion͏, Tom͏ ͏Aspinall, ‘Bones’ emphasized that it would͏ b͏e better f͏or both him and his legacy if h͏e did not fig͏ht the Englishman. “More than likely not. More than likely not,” said Jon Jones.

He further added, “I feel like Tom Aspinall, I don’t wanna say [he’s a] nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything. And I mean, he won his belt against Sergei Pavlovich; Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else. So it’s just like, I’m not here to gamble on someone else making a name off me. I’m here to compete against the guys where, when we look back, you know, 10 years from now, it would be like Jon Jones fought this guy and that guy and this legend and this champion and this champion.” 

Jon Jones argues that Tom Aspinall ͏isn’t accomplished enough to ͏earn a͏ f͏ight ͏a͏gainst him͏.͏ Instead, he prefers ͏Alex Pereira ͏as his next opponent. “If there were a fight against a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it, but legacy worth it – it would be Alex Pereira.” said Jones.

This development has obviously irked fans and commentators to the degree of accusing Jones of ducking Tom Aspinall. What doesn’t help annoyed fans is also Dana White’s unwavering support of Jones, insisting his P4P greatness despite the rankings. Regardless, what is your take on this whole situation? Do you think Jon Jones beats Stipe Miocic? If yes, will he face Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira next? Let us know in the comments below.