- Randy Couture thinks Stipe Miocic could edge Jon Jones
- “The Natural” isn’t convinced that Alex Pereira is already as great as “Bones”
Randy Couture sees Stipe Miocic as the only fighter who could beat Jon Jones and not Alex Pereira.
Only Stipe
Speaking to Inside Fighting, “The Natural” weighed in on the much-awaited heavyweight title fight between “Bones” and Miocic. The way Couture sees it, only Miocic possesses what it could take to end Jones’ reign.
“I think right now, because of experience, Stipe’s probably got the best shot at beating Jon. Aspinall has that raw physical ability and is still green enough and young enough that he’s going to be tough for Jon to deal with, especially if Jon waits any longer because he’s getting stronger and stronger each time out and I think the longer Jon waits, the better he’s going to be, he’s going to be in full stride by the time that fight happens so it’s interesting,” Couture assessed.
Alex has a long way to go
On the other hand, Couture also recognizes the rise of “Poatan.” For the former UFC two-division champ, Pereira is full of potential but he has a long way to go before he reaches Jones’ level.
“Pereira has some things to prove, moving up is no easy task. It’s one thing to cut weight and move down and there’s still some questions there even but moving up and dealing with the bigger guys, and Jon’s answered that question already dealing with the bigger guys, it’s a different thing,” Couture said. “…He’s a hell of a competitor and he’s just demonstrated that again. I think anybody’s crazy if they don’t think you better strap them on if you’re stepping in there with him because he’s gonna bring it.”
Aside from Miocic and Pereira, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is also being linked to a showdown with “Bones.” However, UFC president Dana White has already confirmed that Jones will face Miocic first as soon as they have finalized a date for his return.
