For their much anticipated heavyweight title fight, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic appear to have reached an understanding on a date.
The original plan for Jones’ comeback bout, which was meant to take place last year, was for the two to square off. The match never materialised, though, and ‘Bones’ most recently made a triumphant comeback to the cage at UFC 285, where he decisively defeated Ciryl Gane to claim the vacant heavyweight title. ‘Bones’ called out Miocic in his post-fight interview, and it appeared that the fight was set to take place at UFC 290 on July 8 during International Fight Week. Jones, though, recently asserted that he had received rumours that Miocic was pulling out of their fight at UFC 290. The heavyweight champion of UFC wrote:
“Hey @stipemiocic, you evaded me in July, September, and December of 2022. Only you, the UFC, and I know the truth. I’m hearing reports right now that we might not fight in July.” With his response, Miocic dispelled any scepticism and confirmed the date of July 8.
Jones has also charged Miocic with avoiding him for a fight at UFC 282 in December. The former heavyweight champion’s most recent remarks will undoubtedly calm anxious supporters.
Since losing his title to Francis Ngannou in 2021 via savage knockout, Miocic hasn’t competed.
Stipe Miocic receives a help offer from Sean Strickland to defeat Jon Jones in a prospective UFC 290 match.
Because of Jon Jones’ troubled past, Sean Strickland has been a vocal opponent of the UFC heavyweight champion. Due to multiple doping controversies, Strickland thinks the MMA G.O.A.T contender’s accomplishments are irrelevant and that he should never be permitted to compete again.
Regardless of Strickland’s viewpoint, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic appear to be headed towards each other. Strickland has already expressed a desire to aid Miocic in defeating Jones and even volunteered to serve as the current champion’s “punching bag.” The middleweight, 32, recently disclosed to Helen Yee:
“Stipe [Miocic], bro, dude, I beg you. He continued, “Do it for me. “Stipe, come here if you want to practise; I’ll be your punching bag, and we can spar every day. Stipe, do anything you need. Your man, I am. Join me while we exercise. Visit us at Xtreme Couture. I finally caught you. Dude, I’ll wrestle you all day. The entire day.”
