Jon Jones was irate at the UFC 309 pre-fight presser with his opponent Stipe Miocic being the centerpiece for his temper. This is surprising since the former champ is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever come across. However, Jones doesn’t think so and for reasons that seem justified, if true. After all, the heavyweight champ refused to shake Miocic’s hand at the press conference, telling him “don’t ever mention my kids!” But did he? Did Miocic really take a shot at Jones using his kids?

Well let’s take a look at the exact comments in their context that made Jones so angry. The comments that seem to have incensed Jones so much seem to have come from Miocic’s appearance on Rampage Jackson’s ‘JAXXON Podcast’. There, the former champion was asked by Jackson’s co-host Bear Degidio if he felt he got his due credit from the UFC. To which Miocic had a simple answer.

“I mean of course the more the better, you get paid more. But like that’s my problem. Maybe if I talk more sh*t, they would go crazy. But that’s not how I am. Like I’ve got more s**t to worry about. I work full time as a fireman, I’ve got two kids, just trying to raise my kids right. I don’t want my kids to look up and be like ‘look at my dad, he’s a f***ing a**hole!'” Miocic said.

Of course, the Ohio native here is explaining why he doesn’t trash talk, even if it would be good for his popularity and help him make more money. Because he needs to be a role model for his kids, and doesn’t want them to think less of their father. But Jones somehow saw this as an attack on himself. ‘Bones’ felt that Miocic was saying that Jones’ kids think he is an a**hole, with that not being the case for Miocic’s kids. But these are not the only comments from the former champ that set Jones off.

Stipe Miocic apologized to Jon Jones for comments ahead of legacy-defining clash

Of course, Jon Jones is not only upset at Miocic over the ‘a**hole’ comments. The other thing that really struck in the champ’s craw was the former champ calling Jones a “b***h.” Miocic, of course, apologized for those comments at the press conference, but to no avail. The fight is now personal for Jones as he feels wronged and disrespected by Miocic.

Of course, some feel this outrage may be a bit manufactured on Jones’ part in an attempt to sell more PPVs. And there does seem to be some merit in that argument since Jones did shake Miocic’s hand at their final face-off at the ceremonial weigh-ins last night. But that doesn’t mean the stakes are any lower for their UFC 309 clash tonight.

After all, this is a very high stakes fight for Jones (and indeed Miocic), which will have immense significance on both men’s legacy. And Jones, widely considered the MMA GOAT, will do everything in his power to make sure he doesn’t take a loss in what will probably be his last ever fight.

On the other hand, Miocic too, has the opportunity to come out of the shadow of his infamous loss to Francis Ngannou and get on the Mt. Rushmore of MMA by being the first (and possibly only) man to ever defeat ‘Bones’. What are your thoughts on Stipe Miocic’s comments that angered Jones?