‘Stop crying’… Stipe Miocic hits back at critics insisting he and Jon Jones are holding up UFC heavyweight division

Miocic and Jones were due to battle in New York City last year before an injury to the champion left them forced to postpone. The former champion opted not to take another fight, and Tom Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich to become interim champion on short notice instead.

Stipe Miocic tells fans to ‘stop crying’ over stalling UFC heavyweight division

A key issue that has irked fans as they wait for Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones to square off has been the perceived log-jam atop 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 he only has interest in one opponent at this stage in his career. “The UFC can do what they want,” he explained. “It is what it is. There’s only one guy I want to fight, it’s Jon Jones.

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

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

Stipe Miocic details how he beats Jon Jones after three-and-a-half year layoff

Fans are also concerned about how Miocic is going to cope with the pressure of one of the sport’s greatest ever in his first fight since March of 2021. In fact, the last time Miocic won a fight was as long ago as the summer of 2020 against Daniel Cormier.

But he is confident of coming back strong, adding: “I am very competitive and will never lose it. It’s in my DNA. I love what I do and have the best coaches in the world that will have me ready whenever the fight comes up.

“I think styles make match-ups. I think I have a style that doesn’t match well with his style. If the shoe’s on the other foot, it could be me as well. He does a lot of good things. He’s good with his distance, his leg kicks and on the ground. I’m good at making it a fight.

“I’m technical but I can also make it into the brawl and make him feel really uncomfortable as does he. 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 to.”

Jon Jones confirms date and venue for Stipe Miocic fight

After a long period on the sidelines with injury, Jones has returned to training. And he has seemingly confirmed a date and venue for the clash with Miocic, telling fans to prepare for a bout at Madison Square Garden this November.

The UFC famously comes to the world’s most famous arena every November, and this year will be no different. “Today we worked on the top part of my squat,” Jones wrote, accompanying a video of himself working out.

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

“I got 18 weeks and three days to improve, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Progress equals happiness, sacrifice today, smile tomorrow. Find your personal love for self improvement.”

That timeframe would land on November 9, and in his next post he confirmed the date with a caption that read: “The red corner, my office, #Nov9th.” He later confirmed the location in a comment to a fan who had told him to ‘claim a fight’.

“November 9th Madison Square Garden,” he wrote when told to give a solid date. “I know it seems like a dream but it’s really happening.” However, the November 9 date at Madison Square Garden is already booked in by David Gilmour, so he may not be 100 per cent accurate as yet.

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