MMA News

Tag: Jon Jones

  • Stipe Miocic Insists He Would Have Returned With Or Without Jon Jones

    Stipe Miocic Insists He Would Have Returned With Or Without Jon Jones

    For many fight fans, a defining trait of the main event of UFC 309 this Saturday night is activity. Whilst the defending heavyweight champion Jon Jones has only has one fight in well over four years, Stipe Miocic hasn’t fought since March of 2021.

    Not to mention the fact that in that fight, following his testing trilogy with Daniel Cormier that took three years to complete, Miocic was knocked out in devastating fashion by Francis Ngannou in their rematch at UFC 260.

    The former two-time heavyweight champion is ready to return after his match-up with Jones was pushed back a year from UFC 295 due to Jones’ injury which only added to the talk about whether this will be a major factor at Madison Square Garden. For Miocic, he’s confident that the time away hasn’t had a negative impact on his ability.

    He believes that he’s been able to let his body heal during this period and though he wasn’t dead-set on stepping back inside the Octagon, it was always an option for him after the Ngannou defeat. Miocic has said before that he pushed for a trilogy with his last opponent but when that didn’t happen, things went quiet on his end for quite some time.

    In a recent interview with Brett Okamoto for ESPN MMA, the returning challenger said that making a return after his most recent fight was always an option on the table even if it wasn’t an absolute must for him.

    “No I was always gonna fight man, I love fighting. I love what I do but I mean, I’m also okay with if it didn’t happen, I was okay with walking away.”

    Later on in the interview, Miocic was asked whether he would have made his way back to the Octagon eventually if it wasn’t for this fight. If there was ever a reason to come back after a tough loss followed by a long break, a legacy defining fight against Jones where Miocic could recapture the heavyweight belt and become the first man to beat “Bones” at the same time would surely be the one.

    He cut straight to the point, simply stating that he would have come back regardless of whether it was for this fight with Jones or something else.

  • ‘Eye Poke Bones Will Be Back’ – Fans React As UFC 309 Fighters Revealed To Be Using Old Gloves

    ‘Eye Poke Bones Will Be Back’ – Fans React As UFC 309 Fighters Revealed To Be Using Old Gloves

    Eyebrows have been raised after the promotion announced that those competing at this weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view won’t be using the new gloves.

    The mixed martial arts leader has touched back down in New York City this week for its annual numbered event at the iconic Madison Square Garden, where UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones will mark the main attraction.

    While he defends his belt against the returning Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 headliner, co-main eventing will be former lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler, who run it back three and a half years on from their first battle.

    During fight week, those names and the rest of the lineup on Nov. 16 were told they wouldn’t be entering the Octagon sporting the new glove design that was introduced this past June.

    The promotion announced the change back in April prior to UFC 300, outlining benefits such as additional padding to protect bone structure, a wristband locking system to prevent glove grabs, lighter weight and more flexibility.

    A decrease in knockout percentages have kept the new gloves as a prominent talking point since, and the decision to revert back to the old gloves for UFC 309 got the MMA community talking online.

    Many pointed to Jones’ history of eye pokes with the old design to share their conspiracy theories on the decision not to use the new gloves for his return fight.

    It’s worth noting that the new design didn’t explicitly address the eye-poke issue, and that form of foul has far from been eradicated in the months since it was introduced.

    Regardless, that didn’t stop fans from poking fun (pun intended) at Jones’ expense ahead of UFC 309.

  • Volkanovski: Jon Jones Not A ‘Proper Double Champ’ Until He Fights Tom Aspinall

    Volkanovski: Jon Jones Not A ‘Proper Double Champ’ Until He Fights Tom Aspinall

    Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t believe Jon Jones’ stint on the heavyweight throne will mean much if he continues to avoid facing Tom Aspinall.

    Jones secured the heavyweight crown in his divisional debut last year, running through Ciryl Gane in quick time to achieve glory in a second weight class. But his detractors haven’t been short on ammunition when it comes to dismissing his status as kingpin.

    While that started with claims he avoided a showdown with Francis Ngannou following “The Predator’s” rise to the top in 2021, the Rochester native is now being accused of ‘ducking’ Aspinall.

    The Brit earned the interim title last November after Jones’ planned first defense against Stipe Miocic fell through on late notice due to an injury to the champ. A year later, “Bones” is choosing to keep his sights on the returning veteran instead of his interim counterpart.

    That decision has been a prominent topic in the lead-up to Jones vs. Miocic this weekend at UFC 309, and among the latest to fall on the side of Aspinall in the debate is “Alexander the Great.”

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Volkanovski gave his assessment of the heavyweight title picture, commenting on Jones’ recent claim that he’ll likely only fight beyond Saturday’s event if it was against light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

    The Australian was firm in analyzing the damage that continuing to avoid Aspinall will do for Jones, insisting that he can’t be seen as the best heavyweight or a two-division champ unless he unifies the title.

    “I’m sure Jon Jones is sick of hearing this, but the Tom Aspinall fight is the fight everyone wants to see,” Volkanovski said. “You want to be heavyweight champion? You want to claim that crown? It’s going to be hard to convince me you’re a defending champ if you don’t fight Tom Aspinall while he’s interim champ.

    “He’s already got an incredible legacy. But if you want to claim the heavyweight division, say you’re a proper double champ…you’ve got to fight Tom Aspinall,” Volkanovski continued. “If you really want that on your résumé, ‘I was the best heavyweight while I was there,’ you have to fight Tom Aspinall. He is definitely the biggest threat. … I can see why he’s pointing to that (Pereira), but give away the heavyweight belt then.”

    Aspinall himself has taken issue with some of Jones’ comments during UFC 309 fight week, posting his highlight reel inside the Octagon on social media in response to the all-time great questioning what he’s done on MMA’s biggest stage.

    There’s also a chance of the pair running into each other in the coming days, with Aspinall currently in New York City to weigh in as backup fighter for the Nov. 16 main event.

  • Stipe Miocic Shrugs Off Critics Ahead Of Jon Jones Fight At UFC 309

    Stipe Miocic Shrugs Off Critics Ahead Of Jon Jones Fight At UFC 309

    Stipe Miocic seems indifferent to criticism leading up to his title showdown with Jon Jones at UFC 309.

    Miocic is gearing up to challenge reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jones in his bid for a third title shot, with the bout set to take place on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    In the lead-up to this highly anticipated bout, the former UFC heavyweight champion has faced a barrage of scrutiny for securing a fight against “Bones” after a lengthy hiatus of over three years. Meanwhile, interim titleholder Tom Aspinall remains on the sidelines, waiting for his opportunity at a championship unification clash.

    During an interview with MMA Fighting, Miocic responded to the criticism surrounding his UFC 309 return, emphasizing that fight bookings ultimately rest with the UFC and are entirely out of his hands.

    The 42-year-old Ohio native acknowledged that a Jones vs. Aspinall matchup would be huge, yet he believes his own showdown with Jones is the fight fans truly wanted to see.

    “It wasn’t my choice,” Miocic said. “It’s a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to. They gave it to me. I believe so [there’s a reason why it’s happening]. I believe people want to see that. I think a lot more people want to see the fight than him fight Aspinall. [Aspinall is] tough. He hits hard. Big boy. It’s what people want, he knocks people out.”

    Miocic further shared that there was a time when the noise from naysayers might have gotten under his skin, but now he brushes it off without a second thought.

    “I don’t listen to anything on the outside. I used to when I was younger, when I started I was like why would you say that? How dare you? I was real sensitive. I literally stopped caring anymore. I don’t care what anyone says. I really don’t care.”

    Miocic has been out of action since his title loss to Francis Ngannou, who defeated him with a second-round knockout at UFC 260 in March 2021.

    Originally slated for a comeback at UFC 295 in November 2023, Miocic’s return was delayed when Jones sustained a torn pectoral tendon just weeks before the anticipated showdown, leading to the bout’s postponement.

  • Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

    Daniel Cormier Defends Jon Jones Against Claims Of Ducking Tom Aspinall

    Jon Jones’ most vocal critic, Daniel Cormier, is standing by him against accusations that “Bones” is dodging a showdown with Tom Aspinall.

    Jones is set to make his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event, taking place this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The buildup to this highly anticipated matchup has been overshadowed by widespread accusations within the MMA community, with many claiming that Jones is intentionally sidestepping a title unification bout against interim champion Aspinall. The New Yorker stirred up controversy once again last week, expressing little enthusiasm for the fight.

    Jones claims that Aspinall’s performances inside the Octagon have failed to spark any real excitement for a potential matchup. He further stated that, unless he retires after UFC 309, the only fight that piques his interest at this stage is a showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

    Jones’ remarks have once again provoked insinuations that he’s avoiding a showdown with Aspinall, supposedly fearing a loss as his career nears its twilight. However, Cormier firmly rejects this idea, even though he doesn’t fully endorse the reasoning of his former fierce rival.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “DC” recognized the legendary career of Jones and emphasized that the former UFC light heavyweight champion harbors no fear of Aspinall or any other competitor.

    “Look, Jon Jones isn’t afraid of Tom Aspinall,” Cormier said. “I wish people would stop saying that. He is not afraid of that guy. He is not afraid of anyone. He is not afraid to fight this guy. He’s not. I think he’s trying to be more strategic. He’s trying to make sure his legacy stands. I don’t know it could ever be faded. I know we have short memories, but could you ever forget what he did? I don’t think him fighting Tom Aspinall with the potential he would lose is a bad thing.

    “But most would expect him to win the fight. But at the end of the day, the old guard has to get passed through for the new guard to go. Unless you don’t play the sport by the way that everyone else does it. Everyone else does it that way. Maybe Jones will be different.”

  • Jon Jones’ Coach Predicts Stipe Miocic’s Approach For UFC 309

    Jon Jones’ Coach Predicts Stipe Miocic’s Approach For UFC 309

    Jon Jones returns in the main event of UFC 309 this Saturday night for what is just his second outing as a heavyweight. During his incredible light heavyweight title run, “Bones” was always one of the hardest fighters to predict or prepare for because he’s so good everywhere.

    Opponents could watch as much tape as humanly possible but ultimately, there’s no way to experience what it’s like to share the Octagon with the consensus greatest of all time other than physically being in there with him. This is even more true since he moved to heavyweight because of the lack of footage that is out there of him.

    His heavyweight debut at UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane ended in just over two minutes so we still don’t really know how good Jones is at heavyweight. This creates a problem for Stipe Miocic and his team when it comes to strategizing for November 16.

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Jones’ long-time striking coach Brandon Gibson spoke about what he would do if he found himself in their opposition’s shoes and had to plan for a fight against the heavyweight champion. Suffice to say that Gibson is glad that he’s on this side of the Octagon rather than the other.

    “That team at Strong Style, obviously they’ve built a lot of great fighters and built Stipe into an incredible champ so I’m not gonna presume what I believe their game plan would be. I think through Jon’s 16 championship fights and 27 fights total that you could definitely plot little elements here and there of when Jon has been hit or hit clean. I think it’s very hard to replicate and to duplicate.

    “You know if I were them, I would just be training Stipe to be the best Stipe out there. We’re anticipating him to come out aggressive like he has shown in the past and on the other hand, if I were to coach against Jon Jones, I think that’s the hardest puzzle as a coach in this entire sport to solve. Nobody has solved it yet and I think they’re the ones with their hands full.”     

  • Jon Jones ‘Healed Enough’ For UFC 309 Return But ‘Not As Strong’ As Pre-Injury 

    Jon Jones ‘Healed Enough’ For UFC 309 Return But ‘Not As Strong’ As Pre-Injury 

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has provided an update on his physical condition ahead of this weekend’s pay-per-view.

    Jones will return to the main event spotlight on Saturday night to headline UFC 309, set to play out inside the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The Rochester native was previously slated to do so for the promotion’s 2023 visit to the iconic venue, but a torn pectoral tendon forced a postponement of his title defense against the returning Stipe Miocic.

    12 months on — and despite many taking issue with “Bones” facing Miocic over interim champ Tom Aspinall — the pair will give their matchup a second go in “The Big Apple.”

    Jones is unsurprisingly confident of his chances against Miocic, who hasn’t competed in three and a half years. But he seemingly wouldn’t describe himself as being at 100 percent himself when he enters the Octagon again.

    During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Jones looked back on his recovery and assessed how his training has compared to the lead-up to his canceled clash with Miocic last year.

    “Bones” admitted that his strength is somewhat down from this time 12 months ago and suggested that other competitors might not be returning from a pectoral tear at this stage.

    “I took my recovery pretty seriously. Right now, I feel like I’m in the shape of my life,” Jones said. “This is about as soon as I should be back in the cage. The injury was anywhere from eight months to a year. … Some athletes would still be using this time to recover but I know this sport only waits for so long.

    “I do feel healed enough to be in there. I’m not as strong as I used to be but I’m smarter than ever, I have a lot of experience, and I’m plenty strong,” Jones continued. “Before my pec tear, I was benching like, 315 (pounds) I could do for five reps and I had about a 500-pound squat for a few reps. I was pretty strong. Now, I feel incredibly strong still but not like, superhuman strength the way I used to feel.”

    While apparently not in the kind of condition he was set to enter UFC 295 in last year, Jones is evidently confident that he’s ready to make his return 20 months on from his crowning as heavyweight kingpin.

  • Jon Jones Open To Vacating Heavyweight Title For ‘BMF’ Fight With Alex Pereira

    Jon Jones Open To Vacating Heavyweight Title For ‘BMF’ Fight With Alex Pereira

    Jon Jones is set to defend his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Yet, many fight fans are also speculating about a potential showdown between Jones and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

    In a recent interview with Aaron Bronsteter of Fox Sports, Jones expressed his opposition to the idea of an interim heavyweight title, saying it was unnecessary and created confusion for fans. Jones believes the interim title was introduced mainly to add hype to the Madison Square Garden event while he recovered from an injury.

    “Well, the interim championship shouldn’t have been there in the first place. The only reason there was an interim championship fight was because I got hurt, and they needed to keep the importance of that Madison Square Garden event (UFC 295). But Sergei [Pavlovich] and Aspinall shouldn’t have been fighting for an interim title in the first place. They should’ve just been a replacement fight, a main event. I think making it an interim fight was premature, and now you have a bunch of confused people.”

    Jones also hinted at a possible fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, noting his long history in the 205-pound division. Jones even indicated he’d be open to vacating his heavyweight title to fight Pereira for the “BMF” (Baddest Motherf*****) title.

    “It’d be cool to fight [Pereira] for the heavyweight championship, but I would also willingly give up the heavyweight championship. I walked away from the light heavyweight championship, and I’d love to walk away from this one, as well, on top, on (my) own terms, good head on (my) shoulders, making lots of money. I love the position that I’m in right now.”

    Jones suggested that a cross-division clash with Pereira would generate considerable attention as it would bring together two elite fighters from different weight classes in a high-stakes showdown.

  • UFC 309: Custom Shorts Revealed For Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler

    UFC 309: Custom Shorts Revealed For Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler

    The UFC appears to be continuing its trend of designing tailored fight kits for its top athletes, with Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler next in line to enjoy this stylish touch for their highly anticipated matchups at UFC 309.

    The penultimate UFC pay-per-view event of the year is set to electrify Madison Square Garden in New York City this weekend. In the headliner, Miocic will challenge reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, while the co-main event of UFC 309 features a high-stakes, five-round rematch between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

    As Miocic gears up for his first Octagon appearance in over there years, the former longtime heavyweight champion will debut custom fight shorts from Venum, the UFC’s official fight kit provider. Designed to honor his Croatian heritage, Miocic’s shorts showcase a checkered pattern on one side and the Croatian coat of arms on the other, drawing inspiration directly from Croatia’s flag.

    The 42-year-old Ohio native last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he succumbed to a second-round knockout by Francis Ngannou, forfeiting his heavyweight title in the process.

    Meanwhile, Oliveira, coming off a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April, will step into the Octagon wearing abstract, multicolored shorts with his moniker, “Do Bronx,” emblazoned on one side. The inspiration behind this striking design remains unknown.

    On the flip side, Chandler will don black shorts accented with gray straps and stars at UFC 309, a tribute to the American flag. “Iron” is making his long-awaited return after a two-year hiatus, following his submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.

    The custom shorts for the fighters featured at UFC 309 add to the already revealed gear for “Bones,” which showcases two fierce red lions along with Philippians 4:13, the Bible verse Jones has inked on his chest.

  • VIDEO: UFC 309 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Jones vs. Miocic & Oliveira vs. Chandler

    VIDEO: UFC 309 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Jones vs. Miocic & Oliveira vs. Chandler

    Fight week for the UFC 309 pay-per-view this Saturday has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

    Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic and the co-main event between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

    Saturday’s UFC 309 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with heavyweight kingpin Jones (27-1, 1 NC) looking to add a first successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a memorable submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023.

    If “Bones” is to continue his rule atop the 265-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Miocic (20-4). The former two-time titleholder is returning from a lengthy layoff for his opportunity to regain the gold, having most recently been unseated in brutal fashion by Francis Ngannou back in 2021.

    Before those two collide in the main event at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden, the stakes will also be high for a crucial five-round lightweight clash.

    After a toe injury resulted in Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303 this past June, Chandler (23-8) finally heeded the calls of those advising him to move on from the Irishman.

    That decision has left him running it back with a former champion and current top-five contender in Oliveira (34-10, 1 NC), who will look to repeat his title-winning performance over “Iron” from 2022 and stake his claim for a shot at regaining the belt in the process.

    Ahead of those two contests in “The Big Apple,” fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 309 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XIaiNRIuvg
  • Jon Jones’ Coach Claims Tom Aspinall Has Been On The Radar Since Before Heavyweight Move

    Jon Jones’ Coach Claims Tom Aspinall Has Been On The Radar Since Before Heavyweight Move

    UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is sure to be one of the most talked about fighters of the week despite the fact that he isn’t set to compete at UFC 309 on Saturday night. Many believe that it should be him facing Jon Jones in a title unification clash at Madison Square Garden rather than Stipe Miocic.

    During his time away from the Octagon due to the injury he suffered ahead of UFC 295 last November, Jones has been very outspoken about Aspinall and a potential fight with him. It’s been a huge talking point throughout this year with some accusing the champion of ducking the interim titleholder.

    Whilst Jones has recently stated that he doesn’t believe that the Brit has accomplished anything significant enough to make him interested in the fight, that isn’t to say that Aspinall hasn’t been someone that he’s known about for a long time. This is something that Jones’ long-time striking coach Brandon Gibson recently spoke about in an interview with Submission Radio.

    Gibson revealed that Aspinall’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division isn’t surprising because he’s a fighter that the team have had their eyes on for some time now, dating back to when Jones was planning his move to heavyweight during his long hiatus after vacating the light heavyweight belt.

    “No, no surprise at all. You know back in the day when Jon was originally making his move up to heavyweight, we thought Francis was going to be the opponent and we were studying the heavyweight landscape. Aspinall was a guy that we’ve always had our eye on, for years now. He’s very smooth, great takedowns, he’s a finisher and in heavyweight, that’s a powerful thing. He has incredible footwork and defense so Aspinall’s been a guy that we’ve already had an eye on for sure.”

  • Magomed Ankalaev Becomes Latest To Brand Jon Jones ‘Scared’ Of Tom Aspinall, Champ Hits Back

    Magomed Ankalaev Becomes Latest To Brand Jon Jones ‘Scared’ Of Tom Aspinall, Champ Hits Back

    The pressure on UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones to fight Tom Aspinall is continuing to mount just days away from his first title defense.

    Jones will return to the cage 20 months on from his crowning in March 2023, when he debuted at heavyweight by rapidly submitting Ciryl Gane to capture the then-vacant belt.

    While his first challenger was also penciled in last year, an injury forced Jones out of a Madison Square Garden headliner opposite the returning Stipe Miocic. A year on, the pair will give their matchup another go in the main event of UFC 309 at MSG.

    That, however, is despite the presence of an interim titleholder in Aspinall, who had gold wrapped around his waist after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in their late-notice clash last November, which replaced the original Jones vs. Miocic showdown.

    Having also defended his strap in the months since, Aspinall has plenty of backers when it comes to his calls for a unification fight. But not only did Jones dismiss that for his upcoming defense, he’s also seemingly planning to either hang up his gloves or target the champ from below, Alex Pereira, should he get past Miocic on Saturday night.

    “Bones” has been responding to much criticism online for that stance, and though that’s seen him hit back at fans for the most part, his latest back and forth came with the top contender in the division he formerly ruled.

    Commenting on a social media post detailing Jones’ recent remarks about favoring a clash with “Poatan” over his interim counterpart, Magomed Ankalaev joined in with those suggesting the Rochester native is ducking Aspinall.

    “Sound like someone (scared) of big TOM,” Ankalaev wrote.

    It didn’t take long for Jones to take notice of the Russian’s words, branding him ‘jealous’ and challenging the surging light heavyweight to replicate his résumé on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    “Magomed jealousy won’t earn you legend status, my friend,” Jones wrote. “Train harder, hate less. Want to truly insult me? Break some of my records first. Let’s get started.”

    It stands to reason that Aspinall will be a prominent topic throughout UFC 309 fight week, especially given the interim champ’s presence in New York City as the backup fighter for the main event.

  • Jon Jones Admits Retirement Decision Will Depend On His UFC 309 Performance

    Jon Jones Admits Retirement Decision Will Depend On His UFC 309 Performance

    The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, set to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, is now less than a week away. Leading up to the event, it appeared that Jones—who has previously been called by UFC CEO Dana White the greatest of all time—might be nearing the end of his pro-MMA career and considering retirement after this fight.

    However, Jones may be reconsidering his plans, with a potential matchup against interim champion Tom Aspinall now on the horizon. In a recent interview with KetoneIQ, he shared his thoughts on his future in the sport.

    “I feel like whether I retire or not will depend on this next performance,” Jones stated. “One of my main goals is to make it look really easy. If I can accomplish that, then curiosity will keep me in the game—just to see how far we can really take this thing.”

    Jones continued, “But at the same time, I’m really happy with my career. It’s been unbelievable, truly unbelievable. I work on looking in the mirror and reminding myself that I am enough, that I’ve accomplished enough, and that I don’t have anything left to prove. Sometimes, you can get caught up in always needing more and more.”

    This will be Jones’ second heavyweight fight following his victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. It’s also only his second fight in the past four years due to his move to heavyweight and injuries.

  • Jon Jones: I’m ‘Grateful’ For Dana White’s Strong Support Of No. 1 P4P Status

    For years, Dana White has praised Jon Jones as the greatest fighter of all time. The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight between Jones and Stipe Miocic, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, has been promoted as the bout that could finally settle who deserves the title of greatest heavyweight fighter ever. UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly referred to Jones as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion.

    However, some fight fans believe Jones doesn’t deserve that top spot due to his inactivity, arguing that fighters like Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev might be more deserving. For Jones, though, just being mentioned in this conversation is an honor.

    “It’s just an honor, that’s all,” Jones told Kevin Iole with a smile. “It’s a huge honor to even be considered, at 37 years old, one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport. I’m just very grateful that my boss—a man who’s sat front row for all our fights—sees that in me.”

    Jones went on to share White’s sentiments: “For [Dana] to say, ‘Hey, listen guys, trust me. I know what I’m watching. I know what I’m looking at, and in my opinion, if Jon was the same size as a lot of these other guys, Jon would be in the mix,’ is just incredible.”

    Jones recognizes that with many new fans entering the sport, there’s a “what-have-you-done-lately” mentality. He appreciates that White acknowledges his full body of work, not just his recent performances.

    “I’m grateful that he’s not letting the naysayers or some fans push me to the side. I’ve done a tremendous amount of work for this company—at a very young age, at middle age, and now even at an older age. I’m just grateful to be recognized.”

  • Jon Jones Shrugs Off ‘Ducking’ Aspinall Accusations: ‘Oh No, My World Is Over’

    Jon Jones Shrugs Off ‘Ducking’ Aspinall Accusations: ‘Oh No, My World Is Over’

    Jon Jones seems in no mood to entertain claims that he’s dodging a potential clash with Tom Aspinall.

    Jones is locked in to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 309, set for Nov. 16 at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist Kevin Iole, “Bones” decisively dismissed the notion of facing interim champion Aspinall next, should he triumph over Miocic at UFC 309. He argued that, despite Aspinall’s persistent calls for a title unification fight, the Brit has yet to prove himself worthy of sharing the Octagon with him.

    Instead, Jones hinted that the fight he’s truly eyeing after next weekend is a high-stakes showdown with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, a bout that would solidify his legacy for good.

    Jones has faced fierce backlash from a segment of the MMA community, with accusations swirling that he’s “ducking” a showdown with Aspinall. The drama recently spilled onto social media once again, where “Bones” fired back at his critics in a post that has since been deleted.

    “I’m going to hide in my mansion and not come outside, people are calling me a duck come oh no my world is over” Jones tweeted. “What is this high school? lol”

    Soon after, the longtime former UFC light heavyweight champion posted a more introspective reply, emphasizing that his actions are driven by purpose and that he remains unfazed by external criticism.

    “As at this point in my career, every decision is rooted in purpose,” Jones posted. “My journey isn’t dictated by hype or outside opinions—it’s about crafting a legacy that speaks for itself, one step at a time. I’m here to do what’s right for my career and my legacy, with a vision that’s clear and unshakable. Focused, driven, and in complete control of myself. The story continues, and it’s unfolding exactly as I’ve envisioned.”

    UFC 309 will mark Jones’ long-awaited return to the Octagon after more than a year on the sidelines since claiming the heavyweight title with a victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023.

    He was initially slated to defend his title against Miocic at UFC 295, but the New Yorker was forced to withdraw just two weeks before the fight due to a torn pectoral muscle.

  • Jon Jones ‘Really Looking Forward’ To Using Once-Illegal Move at UFC 309

    Jon Jones ‘Really Looking Forward’ To Using Once-Illegal Move at UFC 309

    Fight fans are inching closer to the much-anticipated showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The UFC 309 heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City has been promoted as the bout that could finally determine the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time.

    A significant change to the fight’s rulebook will allow the controversial 12-6 elbow strike, as New York has adopted the updated MMA Unified Rules. Jones is especially enthusiastic about this rule shift, as it directly relates to the only official loss on his record. In December 2009, he was disqualified in the first round by referee Steve Mazzagatti after using a 12-6 elbow against Matt Hamill—without a prior warning, despite dominating the fight until that moment.

    Reflecting on the change, Jones told Kevin Iole, “It just makes me wish that the disqualification was overturned. That’s my biggest thought since I learned the rule is no longer banned. But on the other hand, I’ve accepted it, and I’ve been training extensively on different 12-6 elbow attacks. It’s funny because it’s been such a big no-no, and you train yourself not to go there. Now, being able to use that strike – it’s a very devastating move. It opens up so many more options, both standing and in the top position. I’m excited to hopefully be one of the first UFC athletes to legally display it at Madison Square Garden.”

    Since the rule change in July, Jones has been preparing to make the most of this weapon against Miocic. “In this next fight, I feel like I will be putting myself in some really great positions to land the technique, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Jones said.

  • Jon Jones Picks Alex Pereira Over Tom Aspinall As Preferred Next Opponent

    Jon Jones Picks Alex Pereira Over Tom Aspinall As Preferred Next Opponent

    Jon Jones will defend his UFC heavyweight championship for the first time against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. After winning the title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023, the newly crowned champion suffered a shoulder injury that delayed his fight with the former UFC heavyweight kingpin.

    While many fans are interested in watching two legends face each other before they hang up their gloves, others simply want the UFC heavyweight division to move forward. Tom Aspinall has defended his interim UFC heavyweight belt once and has finished most top contenders in the first round.

    Jones is a considerable favorite against Miocic, and while he’s teased retirement in the past, he discussed potential future opponents during an interview on the Kevin Iole YouTube channel.

    “Tom Aspinall, is, I don’t want to say nobody but, he just hasn’t proven anything. He hasn’t done anything and I understand that, I mean he won his belt against Sergei. Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else, so, it’s just like, I’m not here to gamble someone else making a name off of me,” He continued. “A guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be, not only financially worth it, but, legacy worth it, would be Alex Pereira.”

    When asked if he would fight Aspinall after beating Miocic, Jones outright rejected the current interim UFC heavyweight champion. He compared the English heavyweight to Johnny Walker, who many thought could dethrone “Bones” at light heavyweight.

    “Bones” mentioned that he’s accepted a fair amount of risky fights back in the day, and he now only expects an opponent that makes sense to him financially and legacy-wise. On these grounds, he named Alex Pereira a more exciting fight than Aspinall.

    Unsurprisingly, “Bones” is being called out for not giving any credit at all to an interim champion with a title defense. That said, it’s hard to speculate on the future of the heavyweight division accurately until the UFC 309 main event concludes.

  • Dana White & Jon Jones Can’t Agree On Potential Aspinall Fight After UFC 309

    Dana White & Jon Jones Can’t Agree On Potential Aspinall Fight After UFC 309

    Dana White and Jon Jones recently offered starkly different opinions on whether the much-anticipated fight with Tom Aspinall will come to fruition following UFC 309.

    Jones is set to make the first defense of his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two were originally scheduled to face off at UFC 295 in November 2023, but the fight was scrapped at the last minute after “Bones” suffered a torn pectoral muscle.

    As a result, Aspinall stepped in to claim the interim heavyweight title with a stunning knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. Since then, the Brit has been outspoken about his desire to face Jones in a title unification bout. However, the former light heavyweight champion has repeatedly brushed off the idea, with the UFC CEO also firmly asserting that Jones’ next challenge will remain Miocic.

    Both Jones and Miocic have repeatedly suggested that their upcoming bout could mark the end of their careers. Despite that, in a recent interview with TNT Sports, White expressed his belief that the winner of UFC 309 would likely face Aspinall next.

    https://youtu.be/aUhZ8UG2cNQ?si=OtrHvO53p7RzjvC4

    But during an interview with MMA reporter Kevin Iole, “Bones” outright rejected the notion of facing Aspinall next should he emerge victorious against Miocic next weekend.

    Jones argued that the interim heavyweight champion has yet to prove himself worthy of facing him in the Octagon.

    “I feel like Tom Aspinall is — I don’t want to say nobody, but he just hasn’t proven anything; he hasn’t done anything. And I understand that, I mean, he won his belt against Sergei, but Sergei just got slaughtered by someone else. So it’s just like, I’m not here to gamble with someone else making a name off of me.”

    Jones went on to say that he’s primarily focused on competing against high-profile opponents, those capable of elevating his already storied career. At the moment, reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is the opponent who piques his interest the most.

    “If there were to be a fight with a guy that’s still on our UFC roster that would be not only financially worth it but legacy-worthy, it would be Alex Pereira. Alex Pereira and I are both 37 years old right now. I weigh about 235 [pounds]; I’m an incredibly light heavyweight. I think Pereira walks around at 240, and I think that fight would add much more to my legacy than a young man who’s cool today and maybe gone tomorrow.”

    • Read More: Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309
  • Colby Covington On Why He’s Backing Miocic At UFC 309: ‘A Real American With Morals & Values’

    Colby Covington On Why He’s Backing Miocic At UFC 309: ‘A Real American With Morals & Values’

    Colby Covington is throwing his support behind Stipe Miocic to beat Jon Jones in their upcoming title fight.

    Jones is set to defend his heavyweight belt against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, slated for Nov. 16 at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden.

    “Bones” enters the fight as a heavy favorite, with many MMA analysts predicting he’ll dominate the former champion with ease. However, Covington has offered a contrasting view, believing that Miocic is poised to deliver a stunning upset.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Chaos” was asked to predict the UFC 309 headliner. The former interim welterweight champion commended Miocic’s relentless work ethic while casting aspersions on Jones, pointing to his turbulent past as a reason he believes “Bones” is unworthy of the victory.

    “Stipe is a great American; he’s a patriot,” Covington said. “He’s a first responder, and the guy’s a hard worker. He’s managed being a firefighter while being a UFC champion. I mean, to have a double life like that is just so impressive, and I can only imagine his work ethic. So I’m really rooting for a real American, a guy that has morals and values — something that Jon lacks.

    “He [Jones] has no morals and values; he’s a terrible person. He’s beaten his wife, he’s had multiple drug challenges, terrible steroid charges, so he’s not a good person. He doesn’t deserve to win, so I’m rooting for Stipe, and I hope he gets it done.”

    Jones and Miocic were originally scheduled to clash at UFC 295 in November 2023. The fight was unexpectedly called off when the reigning champion sustained a torn pectoral muscle just weeks before the event.

    The New Yorker claimed the heavyweight title with a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. Meanwhile, Miocic has been out of action for over three years. His last appearance came at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he was knocked out by Francis Ngannou, costing him the championship.

    • Read More: CSAC Director Supports Overturning Jon Jones’ Controversial Loss
  • CSAC Director Supports Overturning Jon Jones’ Controversial Loss

    CSAC Director Supports Overturning Jon Jones’ Controversial Loss

    Jon Jones might finally see the sole blemish on his otherwise flawless record erased, with California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster voicing his backing for this change.

    “Bones” one loss in his 29-fight MMA career came against Matt Hamill at The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 Finale in December 2009. Despite overwhelming Hamill throughout the first round, Jones was disqualified for delivering a then-illegal 12-6 elbow.

    Jones, with longstanding support from UFC CEO Dana White, has made numerous attempts over the years to overturn his disputed loss, though each effort has fallen short. Recently, however, the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports lifted the ban on 12-6 elbow strikes, with the revised rules taking effect last weekend at UFC Fight Night in Edmonton.

    A faint ray of hope appears to be emerging for the UFC heavyweight champion as Foster, one of the key advocates behind the legalization of the once-banned strike, has now stepped forward to support Jones in his quest to have the loss overturned.

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the Athletic Commission director expressed his dissatisfaction with how the ruling was handled at the time, suggesting that the outcome could have been changed to a no contest rather than a DQ.

    “The rule is what it was then; it’s different now. It would be hard to go back…I’d be actually supportive of getting rid of [his loss], but it’s not my decision. … I didn’t like the way it was enforced back then, but that was 14 years ago,” Foster said. “I think there were — look, we’re talking about 14 years later. At the time, I thought there were other ways you could handle that situation rather than flat giving the guy a loss.”

    Although Foster is a staunch supporter of “Bones” having his loss overturned, the final decision rests with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. However, they have consistently declined to make any changes since 2009.

    After a hiatus of over a year, Jones is preparing for his return to the Octagon, where he will defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the headliner of UFC 309. The eagerly anticipated clash is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 16.

  • Francis Ngannou’s Coach Breaks Down How He Would Game Plan For Jon Jones

    Francis Ngannou’s Coach Breaks Down How He Would Game Plan For Jon Jones

    Unfortunately, it looks like the biggest fight in the heavyweight division across MMA may never happen. The prospect of seeing Jon Jones move up to heavyweight to face Francis Ngannou was one of the most talked about fights that we didn’t get to see when both men were in the UFC.

    Unfortunately, Jones debuting in his new weight class saw him win the vacant title that was left behind when Ngannou departed the promotion and signed to the PFL. Though this super fight between champions is something that the PFL is very keen on, it seems incredibly unlikely that a deal will ever take place between the two promotions.

    It’s still going to be used as a talking point for fans for many years to come and in a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Ngannou’s coach spoke about how he would have tried to approach the fight if it had happened inside the Octagon. Eric Nicksick broke down where he believes they would have had success in the fight.

    Like many would assume, competing against the consensus greatest of all time in a technical back-and-forth would not have been the desired strategy for the Xtreme Couture head coach.

    “I definitely think you had to put Jon on his back foot, you had to put pressure on him, you had to put him up against the corner post and you couldn’t get in a technical fight with Jon and you couldn’t allow him to dictate the hand play right, where he starts to occupy your hands and that’s a slow paced type of fight where Jon is very technical there and he starts to pick you apart with elbows and the clinch and the knees and the things that he does so well.

    “For me, I thought we got to get this guy on his back foot and we got to apply pressure right away and make it an ugly fight, don’t make it a technical fight. You’re going to have to make this grimy and try to get out of there, try to get him out of there in the first two-three rounds. I think the longer a fight would have gone between him and Francis, it would have favored more Jon and that was where I felt like if we put a game plan on him, we were going to have to put the pace on him.”

  • Daniel Cormier: ‘Sharpest Businessman’ Dana White Can Make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

    Daniel Cormier: ‘Sharpest Businessman’ Dana White Can Make Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

    Francis Ngannou couldn’t have had a better return to MMA as he knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round to win the PFL heavyweight championship on October 19, 2024. Jon Jones, on the other hand, is finally returning to the Octagon against Stipe Miocic on November 16, 2024.

    Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight kingpin before Jones moved up to the division. Many fans eagerly wanted to see them fight, but before anything could materialize, Ngannou left the UFC and signed with the PFL. He also boxed in high-profile matchups against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

    “The Predator” was recently asked on The Ariel Helwani Show if he could still fight “Bones”. The lineal heavyweight MMA champion claimed that the superfight is not completely off the table and that figures like Turki Alalshikh might play a role in it.

    Alalshikh, as the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, has helped organize several major combat sports events over the last few years.

    Daniel Cormier reviewed Ngannou’s statements on his YouTube channel recently. He admitted that White’s rocky relationship with the PFL champ is a problem, but Riyadh Season’s inclusion could shake things up.

    The former UFC champ mentioned that Riyadh Season sponsoring UFC 306 was a huge development, and might have laid the foundation for crossovers like Jones vs. Ngannou.

    “Dana does not like Francis, that is a massive problem. Massive problem. But hell, when in the world do you put that over business. I don’t know that he will, he’s one of the smartest, sharpest businessman you’ve ever met. If the dollars make sense, the fight could potentially happen,” DC continued. “If Francis is to be believed, and Francis has had these conversations, we’re now entering a world where multiple partnerships already established in this realm. ESPN UFC, ESPN PFL, Riyadh Season UFC. Ladies and gentleman, maybe, just maybe, we get that fight.”

    DC also believes White is smart enough to put personal differences aside for a lucrative business opportunity. He isn’t sure that Ngannou and Jones will fight in MMA, but he’s not ruling out the possibility entirely.

  • Bo Nickal Breaks Down Jones vs. Miocic At UFC 309: ‘When I Look At Jon’s Tools…’

    Bo Nickal Breaks Down Jones vs. Miocic At UFC 309: ‘When I Look At Jon’s Tools…’

    UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal will have a keen eye on the Nov. 16 main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic once his assignment on the night is complete.

    Nickal is set to feature on the main card of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden next weekend, where the main attraction will be the long-awaited first heavyweight title defense for an all-time great in Jones.

    20 months on from his crowning and a year removed from an injury scuppering plans for a showdown with Miocic in New York City last year, “Bones” will make his return for a contest that many are expecting to be his last.

    The common consensus appears to be that Jones will get past an aging Miocic who hasn’t competed since falling via knockout to Francis Ngannou in 2021 before hanging up his gloves. Miocic has heard that script and promised something different, vowing to shock the world with his performance.

    Nickal, though, doesn’t appear convinced.

    During a recent interview with former UFC and ONE Championship titleholder Demetrious Johnson, Nickal backed Jones to get the job done at MSG owing to the wide-ranging “tools” in his arsenal.

    He did, however, highlight a potential path to victory for Miocic.

    “First of, I love both those guys. They’re awesome, amazing competitors,” Nickal said. “If I had to pick who’s going to win the fight, I would say Jon, just because the long layoff for Stipe. And when I look at Jon’s tools, he’s just got such a diverse ray of attacks — offense and defense.

    “I think if this fight were to go Stipe’s way, he would probably have to get Jon tired. But I think that Jon is just so savvy in there,” Nickal continued. “I would say the two smartest guys that I’ve seen fight are probably you (Johnson) and him, guys that I really respect their intelligence and their mind. I think a lot of people don’t talk about that in MMA…the most underrated part of Jon’s game.”

    Jones will look to prove Nickal’s prediction right come fight night next weekend, when he headlines a pay-per-view card that also features a highly anticipated rematch between former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

    Elsewhere on the lineup, Nickal himself returns to action opposite Paul Craig and middleweight great Chris Weidman looks to make it two wins from two in 2024 when he faces former American football linebacker Eryk Anders.

  • Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309

    Tom Aspinall Explains How Stipe Miocic Can Beat Jon Jones At UFC 309

    Tom Aspinall recently shared his insights on how Stipe Miocic could secure victory over Jon Jones in their highly anticipated title showdown.

    Jones is slated to put his undisputed heavyweight title on the line for his first defense against Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The clash between Jones and Miocic has ignited significant debate within the MMA community, with many asserting that interim heavyweight champion Aspinall — who also serves as the backup fighter — deserves the opportunity to compete in a title unification bout.

    Aspinall might not see his dream of facing the winner of the UFC 309 headliner come to fruition, as Jones has stated that his showdown with Miocic is likely to be the last bout of his MMA career.

    However, the Salford native has devised a strategy for how he would approach “Bones,” who is renowned for his grappling-heavy, pressure-fighting style in the Octagon.

    During a recent interview with Safest Casino Sites, Aspinall outlined the game plan he would adopt if he were in Miocic’s position facing off against Jones.

    “I’d be looking for the knockout against Jon Jones is what I’d be looking for with him,” Aspinall said. “I’d be trying to push him back and use his size. It’s not even like he can use the experience. They’re both as experienced as one another, but I’d just be using my size on him, trying to push him back and knock him out. I think that Stipe Miocic has got big knockout power in comparison to Jon Jones. So I think he can knock him out.”

    The Jones vs. Miocic matchup was initially set for UFC 295 in November 2023. However, “Bones” had to withdraw from the bout due to a torn pectoral muscle.

    Consequently, Aspinall stepped up to challenge Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title and has since defended that championship with a stunning knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July.

  • Jon Jones’ Coach Approaching UFC 309 Camp Like It’s His ‘Last’

    Jon Jones’ Coach Approaching UFC 309 Camp Like It’s His ‘Last’

    The coach of Jon Jones has further fueled retirement speculation ahead of the UFC heavyweight champion’s title defense this month.

    Jones is less than two weeks out from putting his gold on the line for the very first time 20 months on from winning it at the expense of Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.

    The delay in his clash with Stipe Miocic has been down to the injury “Bones” sustained weeks out from their scheduled battle at Madison Square Garden last November. A year later, the pair of UFC greats will give their matchup another go.

    The decision to do so has received heavy scrutiny given the presence of an interim titleholder in Tom Aspinall. Jones has been heavily berated for avoiding a unification fight, and even if he emerges from UFC 309 next weekend with the title still in his possession, many are expecting him to continue to do so.

    Jones has hinted at retiring following the Miocic fight numerous times this year. And while UFC CEO Dana White has suggested the Rochester native would continue as an active competitor to face the deserving next in line, the latest remarks out of his coach aren’t encouraging.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Brandon Gibson looked ahead to his man’s next assignment inside the Octagon, which headlines UFC 309 in New York City on Nov. 16.

    On the topic of retirement, Gibson noted that he would fully back Jones should he decide to hang up his gloves, even going as far as to say he’s “ready” to see the former light heavyweight kingpin do so.

    And with that in mind, the trainer has been approaching their latest camp as if it’s the final one.

    “Whenever Jon’s ready (to retire), I’m right there with him. I’m approaching this one like it’s our last go, it’s our last rodeo,” Gibson said. “I think physically, mentally, he could go in there and have five or six more great performances. There’s nothing left for Jon to prove. I think he really wants this fight with Stipe. I think this fight will help solidify Jon’s status as that great heavyweight champion but it’s not something we talk about every night at the gym.

    “We’re definitely all eyes on Nov. 16. But each time I go to a practice, I’m approaching it as this is my last camp. I’m giving it my all,” Gibson continued. “If we get one more after this, if we get two more, that would be a great blessing. I’m also ready to see Jon hang it up. Put the belt up. I’d prefer them to walk away obviously earlier than later. Out of all the fighters, Jon deserves to walk away any time he wants. I’m always going to support those guys.”

    It remains to be seen whether Jones would following a triumph in MSG with a retirement, closing out his heavyweight stint with wins over Gane and Miocic.

    But before even contemplating that, “Bones” must first get the better of a former champion widely branded the division’s greatest of all time. While he’s been widely counted out owing to his age and inactivity, Miocic plans on shocking the world come fight night in “The Big Apple.”