Dana White backs Stipe Miocic against Jon Jones' claims of him dodging a fight

Jon Jones returned to action in style at UFC 285 by making his heavyweight debut and capturing the vacant belt in the very first round against the No.1-ranked contender Ciryl Gane.

In the aftermath of the fight, Jones called out the consensus greatest heavyweight of all time, Stipe Miocic. However, 'Bones' also recently cast doubt over the former two-time champion's willingness to fight him.

While speaking to the media in London ahead of Saturday's pay-per-view, UFC president Dana White responded in support of Miocic and dismissed any notion of the Ohio native dodging a matchup with Jon Jones:

“No, no, no. Listen, Stipe has never tried to get out of anything ever. You know, this guy is looked at as the greatest or one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and yeah, no I don’t think Stipe is trying to get out of anything."

White further elaborated that Miocic had a thriving life outside of the octagon and vouched for him:

"The thing you have to understand for some of these guys, when they get to the level of a Jones, a McGregor, a Stipe… Stipe’s done it all. You know, he’s made tons of money, plus he has a job in Ohio, he’s got babies. These guys have stuff going on, so it’s never a matter of, ‘Oh he’s trying to get out of something.’ Stipe’s been fighting his whole life, who is he trying to hide from? You know what I mean, doesn’t make sense. Plus this will be if not the biggest, one of the biggest fights of his life.”

Check out Dana White's comments in an interview ahead of UFC 286:

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Stipe Miocic responds to Jon Jones' callout on Twitter

Jon Jones is not waiting around to secure his next fight at heavyweight after easing his way to victory against Ciryl Gane.

Jones was explicit about his intentions to defend the title against Stipe Miocic and made sure to inform him about it on Twitter:

"Bro it’s simple, either you believe in yourself or you don’t. Either you want this challenge or you don’t. Stop wasting everyone’s time."

Check out Jones' tweets directed at Miocic below:

BONY

@JonnyBones

Yo @stipemiocic only you the UFC and I know the truth, you dodged me all of 2022 - July, September & December.
Now I’m hearing rumors that we may not be fighting this July.

25631

1533

Yo @stipemiocic only you the UFC and I know the truth, you dodged me all of 2022 - July, September & December.
Now I’m hearing rumors that we may not be fighting this July.

BONY

@JonnyBones

Bro it’s simple, either you believe in yourself or you don’t. Either you want this challenge or you don’t. Stop wasting everyone’s time.

28138

3510

Bro it’s simple, either you believe in yourself or you don’t. Either you want this challenge or you don’t. Stop wasting everyone’s time.

Stipe Miocic responded to Jon Jones promptly but curtly with a four-word tweet that all but confirmed that 'Bones' would defend his heavyweight title against the former champion:

"See you in July."

Check out Miocic's reply on Twitter below:

Stipe Miocic

@stipemiocic

@JonnyBones See you in July.

17641

1485

@JonnyBones See you in July. https://t.co/lH7ZzemPCH

The two will likely face off in July at UFC 290 though the card is yet to be officially announced.

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