We asked AI to predict the winner of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic (and it gave a shocking reply)
The long-awaited Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic showdown has been hailed as one of the most significant contests in combat sports history. Google's AI Gemini has predicted the fight's winner, which most fans and experts would likely find shocking.
Jones, the consensus greatest of all time, last competed at light heavyweight in February 2020. The former UFC champion at that weight then steadily bulked up for his heavyweight debut. His hiatus ended when he stopped Ciryl Gane via first-round submission to capture the vacant UFC heavyweight title at UFC 285 in March 2023.
Miocic, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is counted among the greatest MMA heavyweights. The American fighter of Croatian descent boasts the highest number of consecutive successful UFC heavyweight title defenses (3). He last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021, losing the belt via second-round KO in a rematch against Francis Ngannou.
Speaking of the upcoming fight between Jones and Miocic, the AI gave a concise prediction. It alluded to Miocic being a massive underdog but predicted that he'll knock the champ out in round two:
"Stipe Miocic will shock the world and KO Jon Jones in the second round."
Check out a screenshot of the prediction for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic clash below:
After Jones captured the UFC heavyweight championship, the promotion booked him to defend it against Miocic at UFC 295 last year.
Unfortunately, a pectoral injury ruled the virtually undefeated Jones out. Instead, Tom Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich via first-round KO to capture the interim heavyweight title in a short-notice fight.
Aspinall later defended the interim belt by beating Curtis Blaydes via first-round KO in their rematch at UFC 304 this past July.
Since Aspinall's interim title win last November, many have been campaigning for Jones to fight the Brit instead of Miocic. Aspinall is also the official backup fighter for the UFC 309 headliner.
Critics have emphasized that the 42-year-old Miocic is past his athletic prime, hasn't competed since March 2021, and is coming off a vicious knockout.
Considering the variables at play, the AI predicting Miocic to knock Jones out strongly contradicts the general consensus in the combat sports community.
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic prediction: Former champion foresees KO at UFC 309
Speaking to MMA Fighting's Damon Martin, Miocic was recently asked to describe the ideal ending to the upcoming Jones matchup. The Cleveland native responded by predicting a knockout victory:
"Oh, yeah. Of course, in a knockout. There's no question."
Furthermore, Miocic reaffirmed the visualization approach he utilizes in fighting and life. He asserted that his visualization of knocking Jones out and reclaiming the title has been on "repeat."
Check out Miocic's comments below (15:10 and 16:00):