For weeks, it has seemed the UFC heavyweight champion has spent more time answering questions about Tom Aspinall than talking about his opponent on Saturday at UFC 309, former two-time champion Stipe Miocic.
After the trailer for UFC Countdown was released, if Jones had trouble zeroing in on Miocic, that issue might be resolved. After watching the trailer and hearing Miocic call him a “bi###,” Jones offered a chilling response to his upcoming opponent on social media.
Jones’ references to “black fighters,” are in response to Miocic supposedly hiring African-American sparring partners to help him prepare for the champion. Every fighter Miocic is seen sparring in the video appears to be African-American or have darker complexions.
Miocic tells Jones, “Bring it on, bi###,” in the trailer, and it pokes the bear.
While Jones may be even more motivated to destroy Miocic after what he perceived as a disrespectful comment, he’ll still have to solve a man who has won the UFC heavyweight title on three occasions. No matter how Jones approaches the fight, he has no simple task.
Jones is heading into the fight as a considerable favorite to win. The primary factor is Jones’ superior skill. Most consider him the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.
On top of that, Miocic is 42 years old. While that age is not as old as it would be in other weight classes, it’s advanced even for the heavyweight division. Miocic isn’t just on the wrong side of 40; he’s also been very inactive.
Miocic’s last fight was a devastating KO loss to Francis Ngannou in March 2021, so it has been three years and eight months since the former was in the UFC’s Octagon. It’s been 20 months since Jones last fought, and in his last fight, he submitted Ciryl Gane to win the heavyweight title Ngannou vacated when he left in free agency.
Jones is 37, and while he knows he is nearing the end of his illustrious career, he’s a little younger and more active than Miocic. Those factors could make the difference on Saturday night.
Aspinall is still looming over the event. He is officially the alternate if Jones or Miocic cannot compete on fight night. The interim UFC champion says he is ready for either man if he is needed to step in.
Here is a look at the entire UFC 309 card.
- (c) Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic – UFC Heavyweight Championship
- Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
- Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva
- Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
- Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders
- Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontap
- Marcin Tybura vs. Jhonata Diniz
- Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
- Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson
- David Onama vs. ???
- Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
- Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott
- Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura
Be on the lookout for more fight week coverage, including results, a recap report, and major takeaways from the event.
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