Dana White announced the news during the weigh-ins for Volkanovski vs Rodriguez.
If fans weren’t already excited enough for this weekend’s card, they certainly will be now. During yesterday’s ceremonial weigh-ins, White confirmed the long-awaited return of arguably the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time, Stipe Miocic. His comeback will be against arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Jon Jones.
Anticipation has been brewing for a fight between these two for at least a couple of years, ever since Jones announced he would return after an extended absence from the sport after a three-year break. ‘Bones’ fought for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 on his comeback against the Frenchman Cyril Gane, who was coming off a knockout victory over Tai Tuivasa.
Jones was victorious on his return at UFC 285 with an impressive first-round submission victory over Gane in Las Vegas; it was only his opponent’s second defeat in his MMA career. Stipe was in attendance that night, and when Jones announced that he wanted Miocic as his preferred next opponent, we have patiently waited ever since for the fight to be confirmed.
The wait is now over (well, almost), and the two biggest stars in the heavyweight division will face off under the bright lights of the iconic Madison Square Garden. The UFC likes to save some of the biggest fights for New York City, and November 11 will be no different. It’s difficult to say how such a fight will go with any clarity, as Jones has only fought twice in three years, one of which was at a lower weight class. Miocic last fought in March 2021 when he lost his rematch to Francis Ngannou; both men haven’t been very active recently.
So who will be the favorite for the UFC 295 main event? MMA Mania reported that Jones has opened as the big -365 favorite. Miocic has opened as the -300 underdog, which seems harsh considering he has the most UFC heavyweight title defenses in history with six. Jones, in many people’s eyes, has never really lost a fight, as the only loss on his record is a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill in 2009 which was shrouded in controversy.
It’s hard to argue that he shouldn’t be the favorite, but it’s worth bearing in mind that only one opponent has a positive record against Miocic, and that’s Stefan Struve for his TKO victory over ten years ago. Other fighters that have defeated Miocic (Cormier, Francis and Dos Santos) have also tasted defeat against the man from Euclid, Ohio.
Save the date. November 11, Jones Vs Miocic. Madison Square Garden, New York City.
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