Stipe Miocic is one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA, especially in the UFC. However, he has not fought in almost three years but still landed a title shot against Jon Jones the current champion. Jones came up from light heavyweight to claim the vacant heavyweight title. Interestingly, Miocic recently pondered a move down to light heavyweight.
Miocic was a recent guest on the JAXXON podcast where he revealed he had weighed less than 235 lbs in his past UFC fights. However, for the fight against Jones, Miocic plans to be in the 250-260lbs range. Due to being a relatively smaller heavyweight, co-host Bear Degidio asked whether Miocic could make the light heavyweight limit.
[About the move to light heavyweight] that wouldn’t… It would take me a while, and I could probably get injured on the way, and I’d be a di**head.
Stipe Miocic on JAXXON podcast
Degidio’s inquisition came after Alex Pereira weighed above 230lbs inside the octagon after he made the 205lbs limit. Miocic stated Pereira has been cutting weight for a long time, making it easier for his body to do it. However, since he has not done the same due to being a heavyweight, Miocic would have it difficult.
Miocic has no intention of fighting anybody other than Jon Jones. He revealed a fight in November at Madison Square Garden looks possible. Jones also revealed in a now-deleted tweet the location and venue of the potential matchup.
Tom Aspinall criticizes Jon Jones for fighting Stipe Miocic
The UFC’s heavyweight division is at a logjam. There is an undisputed champion in Jon Jones and an interim champion in Tom Aspinall. However, They are not fighting next. Jones would defend the title against Stipe Miocic whereas Aspinall has an interim title fight defense scheduled against Curtis Blaydes.
Tom Aspinall critiques Jon Jones for fighting Stipe Miocic (via IMAGO/Instagram)After he defeated Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295, Aspinall has been clamoring for a title shot against Jones if not Miocic. However, the UFC was hellbent on Miocic vs. Jones. Aspinall has been critical of the decision and he again criticized Jones.
Jon Jones is playing games. He doesn’t want the fight… right now he’s interested in fighting 42 year old Stipe
Tom Aspinall on X
Tom Aspinall says that Jon Jones is “playing games” and wants to fight “42 year old” Stipe Miocic instead:
“I spoke to Jon Jones online, privately, personally, publically. There’s not a lot more I can do.
Jon Jones is playing games. He doesn’t want the fight… right now he’s… pic.twitter.com/jSnqDV67PT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 16, 2024
Many have called for the UFC to strip Jon Jones of the title, citing even Conor McGregor has not received preferential treatment like Jones. Nonetheless, Dana White has no intention to do so. He has always been vocal about the magnitude of the fight which the fight fans do not seem to think so highly of.
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