Stipe Miocic has made it clear that he is only interested in returning to fight Jon Jones, and all signs point to that matchup eventually happening in November.
Miocic also recently argued that he is not keeping the heavyweight division to himself because ultimately it is up to the UFC when it comes to matchups.
The same applies for Jones, who actually caused a delay in the fight against Miocic due to a torn pectoral muscle that has kept him out of action for the past year. Although he hasn’t decided on long-term plans beyond that fight, Jones still consistently wants to make Miocic the next guy to fight, and add arguably the greatest heavyweight in UFC history to his resume.
Recently retired UFC welterweight Matt Brown doesn’t really understand the criticism aimed at the fight, especially considering the accomplishments of Jones and Miocic in their respective careers.
“Things move fast and people want to see the next big thing right away,” Brown said in the latest episode. fighter vs writer, “They are two giants. They both deserve to fight each other. They both deserve that big fight. If it happens we will all see it. All the haters, all the negative people, they’re all going to see it. We would all like to see it. This is what each of them must fight. This is the right fight. It turns out that it’s taking much longer than it should. This should have happened a year ago, but here we are.
“Let both of them fight, let them fight their great battle. Both of them have done more than anyone can imagine them doing in this game. What else do you want? Let people go on a legendary battle. Let them fight. Let them earn some money. Hey, buy the pay-per-view to support them so they can make more money. But let’s move on. I think it’s a wonderful thing. I think this is a very good thing. Fuck two great fighters, let them fight.”
Perhaps the biggest obstacle revolving around Miocic getting this opportunity is his extended layoff without a fight since 2021. Furthermore, his last appearance ended in a devastating knockout at the hands of Francis Ngannou, costing him the UFC Heavyweight title.
Of course, Miocic wouldn’t be the first champion to win a title immediately after a loss.
Although he hasn’t been out nearly as long, Israel Adesanya is about to get the same opportunity after losing a one-sided fight to Sean Strickland. Adesanya is now set to face Draculas du Plessis for the middleweight belt at UFC 305 in August. There are many other examples of established past champions receiving special honors like this.
As far as Miocic returning at 42, Brown feels age certainly matters more if Miocic is trying to win a title as a bantamweight, but that’s not the case here. .
“Look, I’m 43, I know what it feels like to be 43. I feel as good as ever,” Brown said. “I’m a lot bigger now, but Stipe is a heavyweight so I think he’ll be fine. How old was Randy Couture when he came back and won the title? Heavyweight is different. This is not a speed game. It’s not that reactive a game.
“Now, John is not a slow guy, so Stipe will need his reactions to be as good as they can be, but it’s not the same game. If you’re a 135-, 145-, 155-pounder, turning 43 will be a problem. You have to hurry. But when you’re a heavier weight, I don’t think it’s that big of a difference. If Stipe stays healthy, trains, I think he’ll put up a good fight and I think he’ll do very well.
Heavyweight has traditionally been the oldest division in the sport when it comes to top-tier fighters.
Of the current top 15 UFC rankings, the youngest fighter on the list is 29-year-old Sergey Spivak. He is the only heavyweight ranked player still under the age of 20, one of only a few under the age of 35.
The time off could be a big concern for Miocic, but it also might not have the same impact on him as it would on a fighter in the lighter division, as landing a heavyweight would have to completely change the direction of the fight. Requires only one shot. Miocic similarly regained his heavyweight title after losing the majority of his rematch against Daniel Cormier before turning the tables and scoring a knockout in the later rounds.
“It’s not the same speed and reaction (at heavyweight),” Brown said. “You don’t walk the same. There aren’t the same fast, jerky movements. I think they’ll be fine. I would still like to see the fight. I don’t know where the hatred is coming from.”
Brown also disagrees with the idea that Jones is somehow tarnishing his reputation as champion by waiting for Miocic instead of facing interim champion Tom Aspinall or another ranked heavyweight.
Jones has repeatedly stated that he sees Miocic as an opponent that really adds to his already renowned resume, while less established fighters do not carry as much weight because they have not performed as well.
Like it or not, Brown understands Jones’ intentions, and he believes Jones has done enough to take some steps forward in his career.
“I get it, people are complaining that John isn’t building his resume at heavyweight,” Brown said. “I think Stipe is out for three years, but that’s not John’s goal. He has said it very clearly. ‘I’ve done it all already,’ he says. When he said this, you have to believe him. I don’t remember his exact words, but moving up to the heavyweight division is not his goal. He did this at 205. Did this for a long time. Did it very well. Now he is fighting the battle of inheritance.
“To be fair, I would love to see him do it all. I would love to see him move up to heavyweight, but he doesn’t have to. He’s not going to go down in history as the greatest heavyweight champion. I think he’s basically already said he has no problem with it. He is going to go down as one of the greatest, if not one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. He doesn’t need to do this heavy work.”
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