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“Stop crying”… Stipe Miocic hits back at critics who insist he and Jon Jones support UFC heavyweight division

Posted on by angelo
“Stop crying”… Stipe Miocic hits back at critics who insist he and Jon Jones support UFC heavyweight division

Stipe Miocic has asked fans complaining about the UFC’s heavyweight division being delayed to “stop crying” as he inches closer to one last fight.

The legendary two-time champion hasn’t competed since losing his belt to Francis Ngannou in March 2021. But he’ll return to the octagon against Jon Jones in a last-ditch effort to reclaim the belt after his fellow icon won the vacant title last year.

Miocic and Jones were scheduled to face off in New York last year before an injury to the champion forced their fight to be postponed. The former champion opted not to fight again, and Tom Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich to become interim champion at the last moment.

Stipe Miocic Asks Fans to Stop Crying Over UFC Heavyweight Division Shutdown

A key issue that has irked fans in the lead-up to the Stipe Miocic vs. Jon Jones fight is the sense of a stalemate at the top of the heavyweight division. Aspinall will have already won and defended his title by the time the undisputed belt is contested towards the end of the year.

But speaking with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Miocic noted that he only has interest in one opponent at this point in his career. “The UFC can do whatever they want,” he explained. “That’s just the way it is. There’s only one guy I want to fight, and that’s Jon Jones.”

“But at the same time, the UFC can pick whoever they want. People don’t know this, but there’s been a couple other times where I was ready to fight and they gave them another guy. What am I supposed to do? I’m not blocking any division like everyone says.

“I don’t care. Do whatever you want and stop crying. I’m not saying he’s crying. I’m just saying he’s a fan and stuff like that.”

Stipe Miocic Explains How He Beat Jon Jones After Three-and-a-Half Years Away

Fans are also concerned about how Miocic will handle the pressure of facing one of the greatest fighters of all time in his first fight since March 2021. In fact, the last time Miocic won a fight was in the summer of 2020 against Daniel Cormier.

But he is confident he will come back strong, adding: “I am very competitive and I will never lose. It is in my DNA. I love what I do and I have the best coaches in the world who will prepare me for every fight.”

IMAGO/ZUMA WIRE: UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is set to face Stipe Miocic in November.
IMAGO/ZUMA FIL

“I think styles make matchups. I think I have a style that doesn’t match up well with his. If it’s reversed, it could be me too. He does a lot of good things. He’s good with his distance, his kicks and on the ground. I’m good at making a fight a fight.”

“I’m technical, but I can also get into a fight and make him really uncomfortable, like he does. I think it depends on who does what they like. Unfortunately, I don’t like being told what to do, so I’m going to do what I want.”

Jon Jones Confirms Date and Venue for Stipe Miocic Fight

After a lengthy injury layoff, Jones has returned to training and is understood to have confirmed the date and venue for the Miocic match, advising fans to prepare for a fight at Madison Square Garden in November.

The UFC takes place every November at the world’s most famous arena, and this year will be no exception. “Today we worked on the top part of my squat,” Jones wrote, alongside a video of himself working out.

“I finished at 525 pounds for a set of three. It’s great to feel my strength coming back, while losing weight at the same time.

“I have 18 weeks and three days to improve myself, and that is exactly what I am going to do. Progress equals happiness, sacrifice today, smile tomorrow. Find your personal love for self-improvement.”

That date would be November 9th, and in his next post, he confirmed the date with a caption that read: “Red corner, my office, #9November.” He then confirmed the location in a comment to a fan who told him to “claim a fight.”

“November 9th at Madison Square Garden,” he wrote when asked for a specific date. “I know it sounds like a dream, but it’s really going to happen.” However, the November 9th Madison Square Garden date is already set by David Gilmour, so he may not be 100% sure yet.

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