The eagerly anticipated showdown between UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is set to take place at UFC 295 on November 11 at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
Dana White, the president of the UFC, recently confirmed this highly anticipated matchup through his social media platforms, and it will serve as Jones’ first title defense.
While the prospect of these two accomplished fighters going head-to-head in the octagon has generated tremendous excitement, there are concerns surrounding Miocic’s prolonged absence from competition.
Having not competed since March 2021, the 40-year-old fighter’s inactivity has led many to question his chances against Jones.
Fans question Jon Jones’ choice of opponent
Similar to Jon, former multiple-time heavyweight champion Stipe has faced a period of relative inactivity. The Ohio native has had his own behind-the-scenes disagreements with the UFC regarding financial matters.
After losing the belt to Francis Ngannou in 2021, Miocic made it clear that his main motivation for returning to the cage was to compete for a championship title.
Regrettably, for fans, this has resulted in the 40-year-old professional firefighter spending the past two years on the sidelines, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to arise.
Terrible fight, Jones is soft for picking him as his opponent
— J (@joto4_) July 8, 2023
Now, with Jones as the reigning champion and Ngannou temporarily out of the picture, it appears that the chance has finally presented itself for Miocic to make his return.
A recent Twitter post by @espnmma highlighting the number of days Miocic has been away from action drew disappointment from fans, with many expressing their concern in the comments section.
Similarly, when MMA journalist Chamatkar Sandhu shared the betting odds for the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic matchup and noted that ‘Bones’ was a significant favorite, fans responded with similar sentiments in their replies.
When will Stipe Miocic fight Jon Jones?
In addition to the exciting news of the heavyweight title fight, White’s announcement also confirms what many have been anticipating—a 14th UFC pay-per-view (PPV) event for this year.
The UFC has established a tradition since 2016, with the exception of the abbreviated COVID schedule in 2020, of hosting a PPV at the iconic Madison Square Garden in early November every year.
Dana White announces Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.
Nov 11 #UFC295 pic.twitter.com/ZSFQadegLC— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 7, 2023
Considering Jon’s connections to the area, it was expected for the UFC to select him as the headliner for their November PPV card in New York. With Jones’ star power and the allure of the Madison Square Garden venue, this event is shaping up to be an exceptional spectacle.
While no other fights have been officially announced for the card at this time, fans can anticipate a stacked lineup to complement the anticipated heavyweight championship clash.
Do you think Jon took the easy way out by fighting Miocic? Share with us below!
