Jon Jones hasn’t been an underdog since his second combat within the UFC and that positively received’t change when he units foot within the octagon to battle Stipe Miocic on Saturday evening.
Regardless of far much less expertise within the heavyweight division, Jones is presently a 7-to-1 favourite to beat Miocic and retain his title. A part of the explanation for these lopsided odds is perhaps Jones’ standing as arguably the best fighter of all-time however there’s additionally questions surrounding Miocic even getting this matchup after almost 4 years away from the game and coming off a brutal knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in his earlier outing in 2021.
Whereas that’s all true, Jones’ longtime coach Brandon Gibson is aware of higher than to assume any combat is a assured win simply ready to occur, particularly with someone like Miocic standing throughout the octagon from them.
“Typically the game has a brief reminiscence sadly,” Gibson informed MMA Preventing. “However particularly as we movie research for this combat, Stipe has been in canine fights. He’s been in a single sided dominating performances. He might be the aggressor shifting ahead like we noticed within the second Junior dos Santos combat. He might be punching off his again foot like we see within the [Fabricio] Werdum combat. He might be very strategic and follow the sport plan like we noticed within the first Francis Ngannou combat.
“Stipe has all of it. He can punch. He can kick. He can wrestle. He has nice bodily endurance. We all know we’re going on the market to combat the best UFC heavyweight champion of all time. We’re making ready for it as such.”
If there’s another excuse why Miocic has been doubted so closely main into UFC 309, it’s no less than partially due to the rise of interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
The British born fighter has been completely dominant throughout his UFC profession with eight wins all coming by means of knockout or submission with solely a single opponent making it previous the primary spherical. His solely loss got here from a freak damage occurred in a combat towards Curtis Blaydes and Aspinall avenged that defeat this previous July with a shocking knockout simply 60 seconds into their rematch.
As nice as Aspinall has appeared currently, Gibson refuses to look previous the lengthy record of accomplishments adorning Miocic’s resume.
He’s a two-time heavyweight champion with extra title defenses within the division than anybody else in UFC historical past and Miocic has been competing at this stage for the previous 13 years.
“Stipe’s a canine,” Gibson mentioned. “We’ve seen Stipe come again in fights. He’s confirmed himself in these championship rounds. He doesn’t fade. He’s as powerful as they arrive. Even the knockout within the second Francis Ngannou combat, Stipe was wobbled and nonetheless punching. That man is harmful always. He’s keen to exit on his defend.
“To me, that’s a a lot scarier matchup than possibly a younger prospect who’s by no means made it out of the primary spherical.”
As if all that wasn’t sufficient, Gibson additionally acknowledges rumors that Miocic could retire following the combat on Saturday and what higher strategy to cap off a profession than beating Jones in his last UFC look.
“[Stipe is] very harmful,” Gibson mentioned. “All of his championship expertise, his accolades, the place he’s at in his profession, what he’s achieved. He has nothing left to show.
“So him taking this combat reveals us he’s right here to win. We’re taking it very critically. We’ve been making ready so arduous for this bout. We take it so critically. You’re going to see the most effective Jon Jones as a result of we’ve got a lot respect for Stipe.”
Whereas he’s teased curiosity in doubtlessly pursuing a matchup towards UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira sooner or later, Jones might additionally determine that beating Miocic is an effective way to finish his profession as effectively. Gibson says that’s an enormous a part of the explanation why Jones needed this combat within the first place.
“This could be our seventeenth world championship victory, which that alone I don’t know if that may ever be matched,” Gibson mentioned. “I don’t assume persons are going to look again and say how nice Ciryl Gane was sadly. However there’s little doubt they’ll look again and say what an ideal heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was, particularly with win wins over Ngannou and [Daniel] Cormier.
“Jon’s by no means bought to combat in New York Metropolis earlier than. So Jon in Madison Sq. Backyard, this has been a 12 months and a half lengthy buildup to this combat. I believe there’s so many parts which are going to be checked, that simply make it a really particular evening in Madison Sq. Backyard. I can’t wait.”
