- Jon Jones only got his eyes locked on a title match with Stipe Miocic for his next fight
- The new heavyweight champion wants Miocic to be as focused as he is on their potential bout
Jon Jones did not fail to live up to the hype of his long-awaited return at UFC 285. After submitting Ciryl Gane to become the new UFC heavyweight champion, “Bones” only has one fight written on his drawing board – a showdown with Stipe Miocic.
Jon wants Stipe to be 100% focused on him
Speaking to reporters during his post-fight press conference, the former longtime light heavyweight champion expressed his strong desire to fight the so-called “heavyweight GOAT.” Jones also made it clear that he doesn’t want any excuses or uncertainties which could imply that when the fight happens, Miocic is not in his 100%. Hence, “Bones” suggests that Miocic takes a leave from firefighting and match the focus he’s been investing in their potential fight.
“I believe in my next fight, I’ll go into it with a different level of confidence, an even higher level of confidence,” Jones told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a UFC 285 post-fight news conference. “I believe that I’m going to look really great. I’m going to have even higher endurance than I had today, which is going to be hard to beat, because I’m in really great condition. … The next fight is going to be awesome,” Jones began.
“I say it respectfully to Stipe: I would take time off from being a firefighter right now. I mean that with all due respect. My whole world is going to be focused on him. This is the biggest opportunity in my life, to be the heavyweight GOAT, and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got – absolutely everything I’ve got. Stipe is talking about how he’s heavier than me right now. His head is already in the wrong spot if he thinks weightlifting is going to beat me. He’ll never be younger than he is right now. He’ll never be faster. I’m going to not only beat Stipe Miocic, I’m going to finish Stipe Miocic before the championship rounds,” he continued.
There shouldn’t be any problem
Barring Miocic’s dedication to firefighting, Jones shouldn’t be worried about anything as the former heavyweight champ has also made it clear that the feeling is mutual. It can be recalled that Miocic backed Gane to beat Jones but he is certain about his plan to face the winner at UFC 290.
As for “Bones,” he had already pointed out even before facing “Bon Gamin” that a win over Miocic will “solidify his legacy” as the greatest MMA fighter ever to do it.
Miocic has been out of action for two years now. He last fought at UFC 260 when he lost his heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou.
On the other hand, Jones will be looking to defend his heavyweight strap for the first time and make a statement by beating Miocic.
