Stipe Miocic explains why he would prefer to face Jon Jones over Ciryl Gane
Stipe Miocic has suggested that he'd prefer to face Jon Jones over Ciryl Gane next. Miocic indicated that beating the legendary Jones would mean more to his legacy than beating 'Bon Gamin.' Nevertheless, the former UFC heavyweight champion clarified that Gane, too, is a good fighter.
We're just hours away from former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones' highly anticipated return from his three-year MMA hiatus. 'Bones' is scheduled to make his heavyweight debut against former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane.
The Jones-Gane matchup will be contested for the vacant UFC heavyweight title and is set to headline the UFC 285 event on Saturday (March 4, 2023 night).
𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗨𝗙𝗖 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱! 👑
@JonnyBones vs. @ciryl_gane is ON!! 🏆
#UFC285 | Saturday | BT Sport 1 https://t.co/zW7tChIKJW
In his latest interview with BT Sport's Caroline Peace, Miocic highlighted that the UFC has asked him to attend UFC 285, likely to promote a possible fight between himself and the Jones-Gane winner.
Miocic, who's himself widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA heavyweights ever, reiterated that the UFC has promised him a title shot against the winner of the Jones vs. Gane matchup in July. Miocic said:
"You know, they (the UFC) told me, 'You've got the winner in July.' So, I'll be ready."
On being asked who he'd prefer to fight in July if it were up to him, Miocic responded:
"I mean, I'll fight either one (Jones or Gane). I don't care." When asked again which fighter he'd like to face next, Miocic said, "Well, I mean, if it'd be Jon, it'll be great just 'cause of his (*unintelligible)elegacy. And you know, like, well, he's unstoppable. But Ciryl is also really good too. So, it's, you know."
Watch Miocic discuss the topic at 3:12 in the video below:
Stipe Miocic undergoes grueling training ahead of potential fight against winner of Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane
Stipe Miocic's most recent fight saw him lose the UFC heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou via second round KO in March 2021. 'The Predator' then beat Ciryl Gane in their title unification matchup in January 2022. Following that, Ngannou chose not to re-sign with the UFC.
What a knockout! 💥
Francis Ngannou finishes Stipe Miocic in the second round and is the new UFC Heavyweight Champion! 🏆
#UFC260 https://t.co/Zz2uyiHEdp
Ngannou was stripped of the title and parted ways with the UFC in January this year.
The UFC subsequently announced the Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane matchup to determine the new UFC heavyweight champion. Stipe Miocic, for his part, has been relentlessly lobbying for the next title shot, be it against Jones or Gane.
On that note, the firefighter recently provided a look into his intense training regime in a video posted on Twitter. Stipe Miocic is believed to be going through rigorous training and sparring sessions ahead of his much-awaited comeback to the octagon, which could potentially transpire this July.
Watch highlights from Miocic's training below:
& loaded.‘🔒 & loaded. https://t.co/iqh2Q1KyYX