Stipe Miocic has made it a point that he’s only eager to go up against Jon Jones for now. As such, all signs point to November. At the tail-end of their performative years, it makes sense to test it out with each other. Nevertheless, when the time comes, can Miocic perform against the all-around G.O.A.T. candidate?
Chael Sonnen says yes. Of course, ‘Bad Guy’ is an instigator for such issues. Now, the Oregon native provides a definitive reason for it, referencing Jones’ pectoral tear. Last year’s UFC 295 title fight didn’t proceed as planned. One year forward, Sonnen says, Miocic now has the upper hand because of preparedness for one opponent and lack of injury during that period of time.
251…Let’s not forget, it’s not a situation where you go into training camp and weight comes off…Stipe’s being ready…People are very quick to talk about Jon is the greatest. And he is…But it’s Stipe, it’s quantifiable…seems to me Stipe has had an advantage cause Jon’s injury was very real.
Chael Sonnen via his Official YouTube channel (@ChaelSonnenOfficial)
The former 265-pound champion recently sat down with CBSSports’ Shakiel Mahjouri. Stipe Mioicic insisted he did not hold up the state of the division waiting for this legacy matchup. Contrastingly, it was Sonnen who once insisted that he and the fandom as a whole would not watch this matchup if the fighters weren’t themselves interested. This was on the heels of ‘Bones’ pulling out.
Sonnen now says, washed-out or not, Miocic can steal all the thunder if he defeats ‘GOAT’ Jones in such a legacy matchup. During the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer Podcast, even Matt Brown defended the legacy matchup billing. The severity of the injury Jones suffered remains unknown. As such, Stipe Miocic holds a small advantage despite his age.
State of heavyweight division once Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic happens
Like Sonnen prompted, Jon Jones is the GOAT. Head honcho and taskmaster Dana White going the length to defend his pound-for-pound spot has only bolstered this belief. Nevertheless, there’s a subtle line between the ‘greatest’ heavyweight and a decorated heavyweight.
Stipe Miocic; Jon Jones (Source: complex.com/Instagram)The current heavyweight champion might be far from a heavyweight GOAT candidate. Jones’ quick submission of Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 remains his only ballot appearance in the weight class. With the duo of legacy heavyweights returning, this would be his maiden defense of the gold. Meanwhile, Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) treads ahead with three title defenses, the most in the division.
Jones recently hinted that the options are switching up in favor of him not retiring if he beats Miocic. During Funky and the Champ Show, Ben Askren and Daniel Cormier have hyped up Jones’ chances against Alex Pereira. With his UFC on ABC 6 victory, Alexander Volkov is in a stronger poll position for a title shot. Jones could finally take it easy and also give Tom Aspinall his unification chance.
Ciryl Gane and Jailton Almeida also remain close behind. The division can pivot anywhere, with the most lucrative fight being the next title fight. So far, Jones might retire, leaving Aspinall, Volkov, Gane, Almeida, and others to get the scrap. If not, Jones vs. Aspinall and Jones vs. Pereira remain strong possibilities.
