Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic said Jon Jones could be in for a surprise when the pair face off for the undisputed heavyweight title at UFC 309.
After a career spent campaigning in the UFC heavyweight division, two-time former UFC champion Stipe Miocic knows all about the risks of competing in the UFC’s heaviest weight class.
The former champion, who challenges Jon Jones for the undisputed heavyweight title at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, said that the move up to heavyweight could yet offer an X-factor Jones hasn’t had to deal with so far in his UFC career.
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Stipe Miocic has ‘some things up my sleeve’ ahead of UFC 309
Jones captured the vacant heavyweight title with consummate ease as he quickly took down and submitted French contender Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. That fight lasted just 124 seconds. Jones’ lack of cage time competing against a bonafide heavyweight fighter could potentially be an advantage for Miocic heading into fight night in New York.
“Yeah, that definitely plays into the fight,” Miocic told reporters during his media day session.
“It’s definitely a different ball game when it comes to heavyweight. You’ve got bigger guys, (they) hit harder. A lot of things are different. We’ll see. I have some things up my sleeve, too, just like he does.”
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Stipe Miocic says he’s found ‘tendencies’ in Jon Jones’ game
Jones is renowned for his meticulous preparation for fights, where he and his coaches break down hours of tape on his opponents to identify key openings to exploit. But Miocic revealed that he’s got the former light heavyweight champion well scouted, too, and is ready to expose some holes in Jones’ game on Saturday night.
“I definitely watched film on him,” he said.
“He does throw different stuff at different times. But also he does have tendencies, like everyone else. You’ve just got to exploit them.”
Miocic, who tucked into a meal while answering questions, has always been a straightforward, no-frills character on the UFC roster. While some put great effort into trash-talking their opponents or telling long stories to get people interested in their fights, Miocic’s approach is much simpler. Get in, get the win, and go home.
But, while he might not be the most outspoken fighter on the microphone, the Ohio native, who continues to work as a firefighter and paramedic as his day job, wants to be remembered as a tough fighter who got stuck in and earned all his achievements.
“I’d want to be remembered as just that guy that went out there, blue-collar dude, went out there and beat a–,” he said.
“A dude (who) wasn’t ever given anything, it was all earned. Just a normal, blue-collar dude who just loves to fight.”
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Stipe Miocic praises his coach ahead of UFC 309 title fight
Miocic also took the opportunity to pay tribute to his longtime coach, Marcus Marinelli, who, despite his successes with Miocic over the years, doesn’t get the same plaudits that some of his fellow coaches receive in the MMA space.
“He isn’t just dedicating his life to me – I’m not anything special,” said Miocic.
“We have all our fighters. It’s not just me, we have our whole team. He puts all his time and effort into us. He gives us everything he’s got.
“He’s my best friend, and he is the Godfather to my daughter. That’s how much I love the man. That’s how much I look up to him.”
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