When Jon Jones made fast work of Ciryl Gane again in 2023, former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was entrance and heart to look at all of it occur.
He might not have recognized it on the time however Miocic instantly took heart stage following that battle when Jones known as him out because the opponent he most wished to face subsequent. In fact, Miocic gladly accepted as a result of the prospect to reclaim the heavyweight title whereas going up towards arguably the best fighter of all-time was too engaging the cross up.
“He’s good at what he does,” Miocic stated about Jones when chatting with MMA Preventing. “He’s an artist. He is aware of how you can combine it up. He is aware of how you can preserve a man guessing. That’s why he’s executed so effectively.
“one hundred pc [mutual respect]. I believe he’s an excellent fighter. I believe he feels the identical about me. We’re not going to really feel the identical manner as soon as we contact gloves. However we all know it’s going to be a present. We’re going to placed on present.”
As dominant has Jones was at 205 kilos, it’s nonetheless just a little more durable to guage him as a heavyweight with just one battle on his resume after spending lower than 4 minutes within the cage with Gane.
Miocic was completely impressed by that efficiency however he additionally is aware of he’s a a lot completely different animal with a confirmed observe document in comparison with any person like Gane. With a collegiate wrestling background mixed with quick fingers and brutal knockout energy, Miocic isn’t cocky however he is aware of he’s going to offer Jones the sorts of issues he’s by no means confronted earlier than, particularly at heavyweight.
“He did what he was purported to do [against Ciryl Gane],” Miocic stated. “He bought the win. I didn’t see a lot as a result of it didn’t go that lengthy. He did every thing he was purported to and bought the win.
“I don’t assume he has [been tested at heavyweight] however he’s fought the most effective on this planet. However I’m completely different. He’ll discover out. I’m going to the touch that chin. I promise you that.”
In some ways, Jones is a puzzle that’s by no means been solved and the proof to that reality stands together with his almost unblemished resume minus one disqualification loss in a battle he was profitable handily.
A number of fighters have come near beating Jones up to now, normally in shut selections, however he’s by no means actually been damage to the purpose the place a end appeared attainable. Miocic hopes to vary that on Saturday evening.
“I’ve bought the most effective coaches, we’re engaged on every thing,” Miocic stated. “We’re engaged on each scenario. I believe that we’ll be prepared. I do know we’ll be prepared. I’ve the most effective coaches on this planet. I wouldn’t be right here at the moment if it wasn’t for them.
“I don’t need any excuses. I’m not going to make any excuses. I’m coaching my ass off. I’m right here to battle and I’m right here to win. I’m going to win.”
Maybe the most important query surrounding Miocic heading into the battle is his return to motion after sitting out for over three years together with his earlier look ending in a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou again in 2021.
In an ideal world, Miocic would have returned a lot sooner but it surely simply wasn’t within the playing cards for him after hoping he’d get a trilogy with Ngannou after which one other year-long delay occurred on account of Jones’ damage.
For all of the issues about his break day between fights, Miocic guarantees that he’s been working simply as arduous as ever earlier than and if something, the prolonged break has really allowed him to heal up, add just a few new weapons to his arsenal and are available again higher than ever.
“There’s no query [I’m better],” Miocic stated. “I do know I’ve been [better than before]. I’m quicker. I’m stronger. I’ve extra of my instruments. I’ve sharpened them and realized extra. I’ll be prepared, no query.
“I believe the break day positively is [good]. Individuals may not assume that, the critics, however I don’t actually care. I do know the place I’m at and I do know what I’ve executed.”
Miocic enters the battle as an enormous underdog, as a lot as 7-to-1 primarily based on some betting strains, that are the most important odds towards him throughout his total profession.
None of that bothers him a lot as a result of Miocic has been right here earlier than and he expects the sheer variety of individuals counting him out will solely make it that a lot sweeter when he wins.
“It’s nothing new,’ Miocic stated. “There’s lots of occasions [I’ve been the underdog]. The primary Francis battle I used to be an underdog. [Fabricio] Werdum, I used to be the underdog. I believe [Junior dos Santos] I used to be the underdog. Numerous fights I used to be the underdog. I’ll be wonderful.”
Miocic isn’t huge on predictions however he positively is aware of how he needs the battle to finish as a result of he’s already visualized it tons of of occasions.
No one might consider he can do it proper now however the 42-year-old Ohio native vows to shock the world when he lastly faces Jones at UFC 309.
“In fact [I want to win] with a knockout,” Miocic stated. “There’s no query. [I’ve visualized it] on repeat. Prepare to listen to ‘and new.’ I promise you that.”
