As Tom Aspinall will get able to defend the interim UFC heavyweight championship towards Curtis Blaydes later this month at UFC 304, battle followers should stay affected person earlier than seeing the precise heavyweight title on the road once more.
That’s as a result of the expectation is for Jon Jones to defend the title towards former two-time champion Stipe Miocic in the primary occasion of the UFC’s annual November pay-per-view card at New York’s Madison Sq. Backyard. This had been the plan for UFC 295 final 12 months till Jones suffered a torn pectoral tendon throughout coaching.
Regardless of Aspinall profitable the interim belt on this card, nevertheless, the seeming want of the UFC’s to have Jones vs. Miocic at MSG, in addition to the pair’s personal want for this battle to occur, resulted in “Bones” not being stripped or vacating the title together with his damage — and the UFC’s endurance in delaying this battle.
Battle followers on social media, nevertheless, have voiced frustration with the state of affairs. Many have expressed a scarcity of want to see Jones vs. Miocic, with many preferring a unification bout between Jones and Aspinall — or a champion vs. champion superfight between Jones and Alex Pereira.
Miocic Admits He Would ‘Really feel The Similar Means’ If He Was Aspinall
In an interview with CBS Sports activities’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Miocic was requested in regards to the outcry from followers and their impatience or lack of want for the battle. Miocic’s response was easy — followers must cease “crying” as a result of that is what he, Jones, and the UFC all need.
“I get it. I’d really feel the identical method however I’m not taking something away from him (Aspinall),” Miocic stated. “The UFC can do what they need. It’s what it’s. There’s just one man I wish to battle, it’s Jon Jones. However on the similar time, the UFC can choose who they need.
“Folks don’t know this however there have been a few different occasions the place I used to be able to battle they usually gave them one other man. What am I speculated to do? I’m not holding up any division like everybody says. I don’t care. Do what you need and cease crying. I’m not saying he’s crying. I’m simply saying like followers and stuff like that.”
Although there has not been an official announcement from the UFC, Miocic confirmed that the plan proper now’s for him and Jones to face off inside MSG this November.
Jones has repeatedly talked about the date November 9 on social media, despite the fact that a David Gilmour live performance (one in a sequence) is scheduled for that evening on the area.
After dominating the sunshine heavyweight division for a lot of the 2010s, Jones moved as much as heavyweight. After a three-year hiatus from the cage, Jones defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 to seize the then-vacant UFC heavyweight championship.
Miocic, in the meantime, has not fought within the UFC since dropping the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021. With Andrei Arlovski’s current departure from the promotion, Miocic has not fought anybody on the present UFC roster.
