Stipe Miocic Reacts To Jon Jones Pulling Out – ‘It Was Dark’
In some MMA news, Stipe Miocic has reacted to the news of Jon Jones pulling out their title fight at UFC 295.
Jones was on course to face Miocic on November 11th, 2023, only to withdraw after suffering an injury in sparring. The heavyweight champion suffered an injury to the pectoral muscle, which resulted in Jones undergoing surgery, with a view to then fighting Miocic in 2024.
As a result, there were several changes made to the card by Dana White. Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall were added to the card in a co-main event fight for the interim belt at heavyweight.
Meanwhile, Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira became the headline event for the vacant light heavyweight title. And yet, there were question marks over why Miocic had not been offered an interim title fight. And with so many different emotions going through the fighter, it was understandably a tough period.
Miocic Reacts
“How did I feel when I woke up today? Like I got kicked in the nuts. In the morning, I woke up to my phone vibrating. It was dark, I had my son on top of me, trying to move and get my phone. I finally got my phone and had a text message from my manager saying my fight was off.
“I don’t know why I didn’t get picked, which is fine. I understand they have a direction they want to go. I’m okay with that. Every guy in the division is tough. I definitely want to fight the biggest fish, which is Jon Jones. It wasn’t my choice, it was theirs,” Miocic
Nevertheless, White did defend the decision on the basis that Miocic was too big of a name to have an interim fight. And given that the narrative heading into the Jones fight was that either fighter could retire depending on the result, it may have been a risk to throw Miocic into another fight.
After all, there is always a risk of injury or at the very least suffering a loss. As such, this is what White had to say in response to the criticism.
White On Miocic
“Stipe’s not fighting for an interim title. Jones said, ‘I want to fight Stipe. I said, ‘You’re fighting Stipe.’ You have the greatest heavyweight to all-time, versus the greatest martial artist of all time. This is a legacy fight for both of those guys. To even call Stipe and ask Stipe to fight for an interim title, is complete disrespect. This is a fight for two legends. Legacy. Two of the greatest to ever do it. The fans want to see it, I want to see it and they both want to do it,” White said
Ultimately, the fight will go ahead provided that Jones comes out in full health. The heavyweight champion did indicate his desire to face Miocic on his return.
But in the meantime the latter will have to decide where he goes next. A move on the sidelines could follow in an attempt to wait things out or take another fight to remain active. Time will tell.
Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingblitz.
