In the past four years, Jon Jones has fought only once, submitting Ciryl Gane in March 2023 to claim the UFC heavyweight title. After recovering from a serious injury, "Bones" is back at UFC 309 to defend his belt against Stipe Miocic, widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight in MMA history. The bout will take place in the early hours of Saturday, November 16 to Sunday, November 17, and fight week has already delivered plenty of drama and intrigue.
A Heated Rivalry Between Jones and Miocic
While Jones and Miocic initially displayed mutual respect, tensions escalated in recent weeks. During Thursday's face-off, Jones refused to shake Miocic’s hand, accusing him of insulting his children. The controversy stems from a past interview where Miocic discussed setting a good example for his kids, stating, “I don’t want my kids to say, ‘Look at my dad, he’s a [bleep] idiot!’” While the comment wasn’t directed at Jones, the champion interpreted it as a slight, declaring the fight "very personal."
Miocic reportedly reacted angrily to Jones’ accusations backstage, but the feud cooled slightly during their final face-off, where Jones extended his hand, later claiming, “I felt forgiveness was the right thing to do. Still, this fight is very personal.”
Dana White: A Condition for Alex Pereira Fight
Amid rumors of retirement, Jones, 37, has expressed interest in fighting light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira before ending his career. However, UFC President Dana White has insisted that Jones must first fight Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion.
White explained, “The winner of this fight should fight Tom Aspinall,” and hinted that a victory over Aspinall could lead to the dream matchup with Pereira. Despite his disdain for Aspinall, whom he claims has "behaved like an idiot," Jones may have to take on the English fighter if he wants to face Pereira.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier: A Tense Reunion
Fight week also saw a notable encounter between Jones and his long-time rival Daniel Cormier. The two shared one of the UFC’s most bitter rivalries, with Jones defeating Cormier in both of their fights. Now, as a UFC commentator, Cormier interviewed Jones during the week’s events.
While Jones has attempted to mend fences, Cormier appears uninterested in reconciliation. Jones acknowledged the lingering animosity, saying, “I recently learned that Daniel doesn’t like me trying to be nice to him, so I’ll have to wave to him from a distance.”
What’s Next for Jon Jones?
With the Miocic fight marking another milestone in Jones’ legendary career, the MMA world eagerly awaits the outcome. Will Jones take on Aspinall, paving the way for a superfight with Pereira? Or will UFC 309 be his last hurrah?
For now, fans are guaranteed a clash of two all-time greats, fueled by personal stakes and the promise of history being made.
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