Don’t count on Stipe Miocic to lose any sleep over the criticism that he’s getting a combat in opposition to Jon Jones at UFC 309 after a three-plus 12 months lengthy absence whereas interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is left ready within the wings.
By no means thoughts the truth that Miocic was booked for this identical actual combat nearly precisely one 12 months in the past till a torn pectoral muscle knocked Jones off the cardboard, however the former heavyweight champion reminds anyone complaining that he’s not the matchmaker. As a lot as Miocic has at all times wished the combat in opposition to Jones, it’s nonetheless as much as the UFC to e book these fights and that’s fully out of his management.
“It wasn’t my selection,” Miocic instructed MMA Preventing. “It’s a combat I wished, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t need to. They gave it to me.”
In fact, Aspinall would certainly disagree after he’s amassed a powerful 8-1 resume within the UFC with all of his wins coming by knockout or submission inside two rounds.
Maybe the most important distinction with Miocic is the legacy he’s constructed as arguably the best heavyweight in UFC historical past after breaking the file for essentially the most title defenses within the division (three whole). Miocic takes nothing away from Aspinall, however he in the end believes his combat in opposition to Jones simply means extra to the game.
“I imagine so [there’s a reason why it’s happening],” Miocic stated. “I imagine individuals need to see that. I believe much more individuals need to see the combat than him combat Aspinall.
“[Tom Aspinall is] powerful. He hits laborious. Large boy. It’s what individuals need, he knocks individuals out.”
Past Aspinall lurking across the nook, Miocic additionally faces a rising narrative that he’s destined to lose along with his final combat coming all the best way again in 2021 when he suffered a knockout to Francis Ngannou.
Whereas Miocic pushed for a trilogy in opposition to Ngannou straight away with the heavyweights tied at one win a bit, the UFC by no means ended up reserving the combat. Ngannou solely fought for the UFC another time earlier than struggling a torn ACL in his knee after which leaving the promotion in free company.
That’s when consideration shifted in the direction of Jones after he repeatedly known as for the possibility to face Miocic with hopes of cementing his standing as the best fighter within the historical past of the game.
Miocic understands the duty he’s endeavor with a combat in opposition to Jones after such an extended layoff however don’t count on him to put down and play lifeless simply because some loud voices within the sport are saying he can’t win. The 42-year-old Cleveland native admits there’s a time when listening to which may have bothered him, however lately he simply doesn’t take note of what anyone says a lot much less let it get to him.
“I don’t take heed to something on the surface,” Miocic stated. “I used to after I was youthful, after I began I used to be like why would you say that? How dare you? I used to be actual delicate. I actually stopped caring anymore. I don’t care what anybody says. I actually don’t care.”
Maybe the opposite largest storyline surrounding the UFC 309 fundamental occasion are the persistent rumors that win, lose or draw, there’s a phrase the place each Miocic and Jones name it a profession afterwards.
Jones hasn’t precisely hidden the truth that he’s acquired nothing left to show, and he’s hinted at retirement quite a few instances when addressing his future after going through Miocic on Nov. 16.
In the meantime, Miocic hasn’t stated almost as a lot as a result of he simply doesn’t actually have interaction on social media and he not often grants interviews main as much as his fights.
So the place precisely does he stand on this entire retirement speak after going through Jones?
“I believe each combat, I’m at all times making ready for my final one,” Miocic stated. “I at all times considered retiring after my first UFC combat. I say that on a regular basis. Who desires to get beat up for 10 weeks, 12 weeks, come again and do it once more?
“I really like what I do and it’s enjoyable. So we’ll see however proper now my process at hand is Jon. That’s all I care about. That’s what I’m fascinated about.”
That stated, Miocic clearly envisions successful, and he couldn’t fathom a significantly better strategy to finish his profession than changing into the primary individual to legitimately beat Jon Jones.
“Once I do beat him, it’s going to be nice,” Miocic stated. “one hundred pc [that would be a great exclamation point on the career].”