UFC CEO Dana White isn’t backing down on ready for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.
Jones and Miocic have been initially alleged to face off for the heavyweight title in the principle occasion of UFC 295 in November 2023, however shortly earlier than the occasion, Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle that compelled him from the cardboard. As an alternative of getting backup fighter Sergei Pavlovich step in in opposition to Miocic, UFC opted to postpone the combat solely. The 2 are actually trying to lastly matchup in opposition to one another in November, and whereas the bout has obtained an rising quantity of backlash just lately, White isn’t having it.
“What do I do?” White said to the media following the newest episode of Contender Collection. “A man who’s checked out as the best heavyweight within the UFC, this combat is about up, Jon Jones will get damage, it’s not his fault. He has to attend and return into f*cking coaching camp once more. He was coaching. So do I simply yank it away from Stipe and say go f*ck your self and sit on the sidelines for 2 extra years?
“If I did that, you guys could be like, ‘Oh, you f*cking disrespected the best heavyweight ever!’ and so would the f*cking followers. So I ought to simply shit on Stipe as a result of Jon received damage and never make the combat that he was already alleged to combat?”
The rising criticism to the Jones-Miocic matchup comes each from the rise of interim champion Tom Aspinall and Miocic’s latest historical past. Although Miocic is taken into account one of many biggest heavyweights of all-time, the 42-year-old has not competed in additional than three years, when he was brutally knocked out by Francis Ngannou, and holds no wins over present UFC fighters. Against this, Aspinall has 5 wins over presently ranked heavyweights in that point, together with his short-notice combat for an interim title when UFC postponed Jones vs. Miocic at UFC 295.
However when reporters pushed again on Miocic being given a title shot beneath these circumstances, White remained adamant that this was the one lifelike solution to deal with the state of affairs.
“I’ve two legends of the game that wished to combat one another,” White mentioned. “These guys are lined up, one man will get damage, and that is the combat that they each need. What do you do? You don’t present the blokes the respect? I assure you this, if Stipe wins, Stipe goes to retire. This will probably be Stipe’s final combat. So are you, the media, telling me I ought to simply inform Stipe to f*ck off? ‘Good luck to you Stipe, journey off into the sundown, go combat some fires and that’s a wrap for you buddy, as a result of Jon received damage.’ Or do I present this man the respect that I ought to present him and provides them each the combat that they need? That’s the place I’m in.
“If Stipe was 32 years outdated, then yeah, [an interim title fight] might be what we do. However that is in all probability Stipe’s final combat, win or lose, and I’m not going to disrespect the man. He accepted the combat, he was prepared for the combat, and Jon received injured.”
After all, that’s chilly consolation for Aspinall, who has lobbied for a shot on the undisputed title since profitable the interim belt. However White says that finally, he’ll get his flip.
“Aspinall’s a younger, badass dude,” White mentioned. “He’s received loads of time. These guys are going to combat in November and he’ll combat Jon Jones if he wins, I nearly assure you that. And if Stipe wins, we’ll work out what’s subsequent for Aspinall.”
Although not but official, Jones and Miocic are anticipated to face off in the principle occasion at UFC 309, which takes place on Nov. 16 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis.
