The long speculated next move for Jon Jones was finally revealed at the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 290 with UFC president Dana White himself confirming that Jones will defend his UFC Heavyweight Championship against a returning former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in New York City.
CONFIRMED: Jones vs Miocic for UFC 295
This will be Jones’s first defense of the belt he won at UFC 285, defeating Ciryl Gane by first round submission in order to win the vacant title which had been abdicated by Francis Ngannou following his departure from the company. Before winning the title against Gane, Jones had taken a three year hiatus from the sport while he bulked himself up to heavyweight after reigning supreme at light heavyweight for so many years. Many fans and pundits alike were curious to see what this new heavyweight version of Jon Jones would look like and while we did get to see a glimpse at UFC 285, the fight was over so quickly that many of the questions had about Jones at heavyweight still have not been answered. Whether he will move as quickly, pack even more power or perhaps suffer from cardio issues is still unknown which has left many feeling that a question mark still hangs over Jones at heavyweight and whether he is as unbeatable as he appeared to be a weight class lower at 205 lbs.
Stipe Miocic will be making his return to the octagon after losing the heavyweight championship in a defeat to Francis Ngannou back in 2021. Miocic is a two-time heavyweight champion and holds the record for the most defenses of the belt with four spread across his two reigns. Miocic will be looking to become a three-time UFC Heavyweight Champion in a fight that will very likely be his last. Surely the greatest to do it at Heavyweight, Miocic will be 41-years-old by the time he gets in the cage with Jon Jones, a shiny jewel to add to the crown of a very illustrious career.
Whether Jon Jones will prove himself to be as effective at heavyweight as he was at light heavyweight or if Stipe Miocic can truly cement his legacy as the division’s GOAT remains to be seen. Our questions will be answered on November 11th at UFC 295.
