Opinion- With Jon Jones Out Injured, Stipe Miocic ‘HW GOAT’ Fight Will Never Happen

The combat sports universe was abuzz with anticipation, eagerly awaiting a clash of titans at UFC 295. This monumental event was set to witness Jon Jones defend his title against none other than Stipe Miocic. Fans, athletes, and experts alike couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement of this legacy-defining showdown. The prospect of ‘Bones’, often regarded as the greatest UFC fighter, locking horns with the ‘heavyweight GOAT’ Stipe Miocic was a recipe for adrenaline-pumping action.

Supposedly planned for International Fight Week in July of the current year, the fight was finally set for November for an even more monumental spectacle. However, the world of MMA was recently rocked by disheartening news! Jon Jones sustained an injury that forced him to withdraw from the UFC 295 bout. Now, there is a strong possibility Jones vs. Miocic might never happen!

Jon Jones suffers a serious injury before UFC 295

UFC’s top honcho, Dana White, broke this news to the UFC community. The UFC CEO featured in a video and made this unfortunate announcement. On a somber note, he revealed the unfortunate injury sustained by ‘Bones’. Moreover, he disclosed that Jon Jones was engaged in training when he suffered a tear in his pectoral tendon. This means his left tendon (that joined his pectoral muscle to the shoulder joint) tore right off the bone.

With the announcement was the video of the injury. In the footage, the UFC heavyweight champ was seen going for a takedown. However, things took an unexpected turn as ‘Bones’ cried out in pain. In the footage, Jones’ inability to move his left arm after the injury is clearly visible.

Moreover, White’s announcement was concise and to the point: “Eight months, gonna need surgery, he’s out,” the UFC CEO said. Next, he announced that Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka (initially the co-main event) is now the UFC 295 main event. Further, replacing Jones vs Miocic will be a co-main event heavyweight bout between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich.

Jon Jones faces the winner of Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich and not Stipe Miocic?

In the announcement, White also pointed out that Aspinall vs. Pavlovich is for the interim UFC heavyweight title fight. Usually, interim belts are introduced when the undisputed champion cannot fight for a long time. Moreover, the undisputed champion is then supposed to return and face the interim title holder.

Going by this logic, Jones will face the winner of Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich when he returns to action. Moreover, fans have raised questions about why Miocic was not considered for an interim title fight. For now, there is no official statement regarding this. ‘Stone Cold’ might not be interested in fighting for the interim title. Or maybe, the former champ only wants a fight against Jon Jones. No one knows for sure!

Retirement looms over Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic

When the super fight between Jones and Miocic was announced, many fans started questioning the latter’s fighting skills. As of October 2023, Miocic is 41 years old, and has been inactive for 2 years and 7 months. His last fight was against Francis Ngannou, where he lost via a 2nd round KO.

Read More – Dana White Reveals Stipe Miocic’s Future After Canceled Jon Jones Heavyweight Championship Fight at UFC 295

Further, the American fighter works as a firefighter, and fans aren’t really sure if he has been consistently training. By the time Jon Jones is physically fit to fight, Miocic might turn 42. Moreover, he will have been inactive for more than 3 years by then! In such a situation, many feel that this super fight will never happen!

On the other hand, Jon Jones has also been considering retirement for a long time. The UFC legend has talked about hanging up his gloves several times. Moreover, fans were expecting Jones vs. Miocic to be the last fight of the former’s career. Now with this injury, there is a possibility that ‘Bones’ decides to retire without ever coming back to action!

As the dust settles on the abrupt cancellation of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, the fight’s future remains shrouded in uncertainty. Fight fans across the globe eagerly await updates on Jones’s recovery and the potential resurrection of this colossal contest. The tantalizing prospect of a ‘HW GOAT’ matchup slipping through our fingers leaves an indelible void in the realm of MMA.

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