Stipe Miocic reveals likely date to face winner of Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane, per discussions with UFC
Stipe Miocic recently revealed that the UFC has offered him the winner of Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for a shot at the heavyweight title in July. The former heavyweight champion has been sidelined since losing his belt to Francis Ngannou in 2021 and could be right back in the championship picture when he returns.
At UFC 285, Jones will face off against Gane for the vacant heavyweight title in the headlining fight on the card. This will also mark the long-awaited return of 'Bones' to the octagon in his heavyweight debut.
Stipe Miocic is widely considered to be the greatest heavyweight ever. After beating Fabricio Werdum for the strap in 2016, the two-time UFC champion defended his throne three times, setting a heavyweight promotional record for the most consecutive title defenses.
In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic disclosed that the UFC has offered him the winner of UFC 285's headliner in July, saying:
"Yeah, they told me July. They said, 'You're fighting International Fight Week.' Yep [Miocic vs. the winner of Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane], that's what I was told... I want to fight for the gold because I set myself up for fighting for the gold, why would I take a step back and take a chance when I can win it right there?"
Watch the full interview below:
UFC 285: Jon Jones wants to fight Stipe Miocic after Ciryl Gane
Jon Jones is already looking beyond his title fight at UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title. After a three-year hiatus, Jones will return to action on March 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
As 'Bones' gears up to take on the No.1-ranked contender in his highly anticipated heavyweight debut on March 4, the former light heavyweight champion recently expressed his desire to fight Stipe Miocic next.
With Jones and Miocic both considered the greatest of all time in their respective divisions, it shouldn't come as a surprise that 'Bones' wants to test himself against the best, considering his seriousness about making the heavyweight division his new home.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Jones expressed his eagerness to face 'Stone Cold', acknowledging that the matchup would be a pivotal moment in his career. The former light-heavyweight champion stated:
"People consider him [Stipe Miocic] the greatest heavyweight of all time. The opportunity to compete against such a man, I'd be honored."
Watch the full interview below: