Fans react to Jon Jones' claims of being fight-ready and Stipe Miocic's alleged hold-up for UFC 282 in December
Jon Jones has revealed that he's still training for his much-discussed potential fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 282 on December 10. Needless to say, fans have addressed Jones' highly anticipated possible heavyweight debut against Miocic, a matchup that would mark the former light heavyweight champion's return after a two-year hiatus.
Earlier this month, Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC could book Jon Jones to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 282 this December or fight UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in March 2023.
If they can get Jones x Miocic done, that’ll be the UFC 282 main. If not, the main will be Prochazka x Teixeira 2.
And if they can’t get Jones x Miocic done for 12/10, they’ll set their sights on doing Ngannou x Jones in March, if Ngannou re-signs. Developing.
Meanwhile, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jones has now claimed that he's unaware of what's happening with Miocic and the UFC while stating that he is prepared to fight the former heavyweight champion at UFC 282:
"I’m preparing to fight Stipe December 10 in Las Vegas. Not really sure what’s going on between Stipe and the UFC but I’m ready to compete! I’m going to control what I can and stay in shape."
I’m preparing to fight Stipe December 10 in Las Vegas. Not really sure what’s going on between Stipe and the UFC but I’m ready to compete! I’m going to control what I can and stay in shape. twitter.com/coledillon1874…
Some fans reacted by suggesting that Miocic is evading the fight against 'Bones'. Jibing at Miocic, one fan revisited his own tweet from July and asserted:
"Can someone tell Stipe to stop hiding and that Jon is ready"
@JonnyBones twitter.com/sakazukistan/s…
Meanwhile, other fans expressed their excitement at Jones' long-awaited comeback:
"LETS GOOOO"
@JonnyBones LETS GOOOO
Alternatively, another fan insinuated that the fight likely won't transpire at UFC 282:
"This can’t be happening on December 10th, the announcement would be way too late"
@JonnyBones This can’t be happening on December 10th, the announcement would be way too late
Furthermore, another Twitter user asked Jones about a potential fight against Ngannou:
"Any chance you fight Francis soon?"
@JonnyBones Any chance you fight Francis soon?
Several other fans hailed the return of the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) Jon Jones.
"Let's go GOAT, FINALLY"
@JonnyBones Let's go GOAT, FINALLY 🔥
Henry Cejudo views Stipe Miocic as "an easy fight" for Jon Jones
Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou hasn't competed since January of this year due to knee injury issues and is unlikely to return until early 2023.
Furthermore, Ngannou's engaged in a contract dispute with the UFC and hasn't re-signed with them yet. On that note, it's believed that the rumored Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic could have an interim UFC heavyweight title at stake.
Earlier this year, one of Jones' coaches, former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo, broke down the Jones-Miocic matchup. He acknowledged that in comparison, while Ngannou's otherworldly KO power made him a dangerous matchup for Jones, 'Triple C' picked 'Bones' to easily beat Miocic.
Speaking to The Schmo, Cejudo hailed 'Bones' as better than Miocic in every department:
"With the Stipe fight, I like it for Jon. I think it can allow Jon to really work on everything. Like mixed martial arts as a whole... At the end of the day Schmo, I think it's an easy fight for Jon Jones."
Watch Cejudo's assessment below:
for @JonnyBones. No offense to Stipe-- he's the greatest heavyweight in UFC history-- but everything Stipe has, Jon Jones is better at.
I think it's easy 💰 for @JonnyBones.
Jonny wants to bring back the old Jones when he went on a rampage of just killing the elite.🦁
youtu.be/KKHEtWAERHY https://t.co/7NpQl4NuhF