Stipe Miocic was present at UFC 295 to witness the fights unfold. He was originally scheduled to fight the current undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones. But the fight fell off due to Jones’ unfortunate pectoral injury. However, judging by the way he was walking, Miocic may have been carrying an injury himself!
During the post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White addressed the issue. One journalist explicitly asked Dana if he had any knowledge about the alleged injury that Stipe was carrying. In response, the UFC head honcho added that he had recently hung out with Stipe and the former UFC heavyweight champ did not mention any physical difficulties.
Stipe Miocic is in the building! 🇺🇸 #UFC295
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) November 12, 2023
He added, “Stipe was limping? I had lunch with him the other day. He didn’t say anything about any injuries. So I don’t know. He didn’t mention anything to me.”
The last time Miocic fought inside the Octagon was in March 2021, when he lost to Francis Ngannou in a vicious manner at UFC 260. Since then, he has been eager to regain his title. With no apparent injuries, it does seem like Miocic is chomping at the bits to get his crack at the title. But, after Tom Aspinall’s thunderous victory over Sergei Pavlovich to grab the interim belt, will the Ohio native get the chance? Let’s find out.
Dana White confirms Stipe Miocic as the next opponent for Jon Jones
UFC President Dana White is notorious for speaking his mind during post-fight press conferences. However, one subject matter he explicitly avoids is match-making immediately after a big event. However, the 54-year-old made a rare exception for Stipe Miocic after UFC 295. Despite Tom Aspinall being the new interim heavyweight champion, White revealed that the 41-year-old will indeed fight Jon Jones next.
“Those two both deserve that fight, that’s the fight they want. What I love is that Jon Jones, you know, as soon as he heard that he was injured and he knew how bad it was, he went right to LA, got the surgery and he is already in rehab,” said White.
Dana White says the plan is still Jones/Miocic.#UFC pic.twitter.com/eAVsMAv6Yz
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) November 12, 2023
Not just the UFC President, but even Jon Jones stated his willingness to fight Stipe upon his return from the injury. While Jonny Bones is widely regarded as the MMA GOAT, Miocic is also hailed as the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time. Hence, one can imagine why the UFC is really keen on making the fight happen. Although fans may regret not seeing Francis Ngannou vs Jones, it seems they will get to witness the next best thing in due time.