When Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic finally enter the Octagon together, they will do so as two of the greatest fighters the UFC has ever produced — one searching for the ultimate validation of his legacy, the other with nothing left to prove but everything to gain.
Jones: History on His Mind
Jon Jones’ move to heavyweight was supposed to cement what he believes is his rightful place as the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Instead, it has been a complicated, lengthy chapter in a career that has always operated on the edges of what most people consider possible or permissible.
A victory over Miocic would give Jones wins in two different weight classes against universally recognised champions — an achievement with no precedent in UFC history. At 36, with time running out, this fight represents perhaps his last opportunity to write the ending he wants.
Miocic: The Quiet Killer
Stipe Miocic does not play the media game. He rarely gives quotable pre-fight predictions. He shows up, works at a fire station in Cleveland between camps, and then proceeds to dismantle world-class heavyweights with a combination of iron chin, octopus wrestling and underrated boxing.
His three title reigns and record four heavyweight title defenses place him among the sport’s greatest, yet he has never received the mainstream recognition his achievements deserve. A victory over Jones would change that forever.
The Matchup
Jones has advantages in reach, wrestling and creative striking. Miocic has the better boxing, significantly more finishing power at heavyweight, and has never been knocked out in his professional career. If Miocic can land early and establish his physical presence, this fight could be shorter than Jones might like.