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LAS VEGAS – Jon Jones sits atop the heavyweight throne within the UFC, and his subsequent take a look at is likely to be probably the most prolific of his profession.
Following UFC 285 on Saturday at T-Cellular Area, UFC president Dana White mentioned Jones will face all-time heavyweight nice Stipe Miocic in his first title protection as heavyweight champion.
Shifting up a weight class after three years out of motion, Jones (27-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) had been missed by some previous to quick dispatching of Ciryl Gane (11-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) by submission. Not many knew what to anticipate from a fighter making a transition after a lot time away.
Even after the victory, Jones appeared to point he’s skeptical that he’s silenced all of the doubters, together with Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC), whom he despatched a warning to.
“I imagine in my subsequent struggle, I’ll go into it with a distinct stage of confidence, a good greater stage of confidence,” Jones instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a UFC 285 post-fight information convention. “I imagine that I’m going to look actually nice. I’m going to have even greater endurance than I had at the moment, which goes to be arduous to beat, as a result of I’m in actually nice situation. … The following struggle goes to be superior.
“I say it respectfully to Stipe: I might take day without work from being a firefighter proper now. I imply that with all due respect. My entire world goes to be targeted on him. That is the largest alternative in my life, to be the heavyweight GOAT, and I’m going to provide it the whole lot I’ve obtained – completely the whole lot I’ve obtained. Stipe is speaking about how he’s heavier than me proper now. His head is already within the unsuitable spot if he thinks weightlifting goes to beat me. He’ll by no means be youthful than he’s proper now. He’ll by no means be quicker. I’m going to not solely beat Stipe Miocic, I’m going to complete Stipe Miocic earlier than the championship rounds.”
Previous to Saturday, Jones, 37, hadn’t competed in MMA since February 2019 as a result of contract disputes and matchmaking delays whereas he moved from gentle heavyweight to heavyweight.
Miocic hasn’t competed since March 2021, when he misplaced the heavyweight title after being knocked out by Francis Ngannou at UFC 260.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 285.
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