UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is confident that he would defeat light heavyweight champ Jon “Bones” Jones if they fought. Miocic is scheduled to defend his belt against Daniel “DC” Cormier in the main event of UFC 252 on August 15, and Jones is currently on hiatus from the Octagon.
During an interview with Line Movement on August 5, Miocic was asked if he would be interested in fighting Bones down the line. He answered, “Yeah I mean yeah, it’s up to the UFC. I’ll fight anyone.”
Jones has shown interest in moving up to the heavyweight division and possibly challenging for the heavyweight title. Should Miocic get past DC at UFC 252, a fight between the two champions would be an instant superfight.
Miocic would have the chance to be the first person to defeat Jones besides Matt Hamill who defeated him in 2009 by disqualification. Many consider Bones the greatest fighter of all time, and if Miocic can be the first person to legitimately topple the light heavyweight champ, it would greatly bolster Miocic’s already Hall of Fame career.
On the other end, the bout would give Bones the opportunity to become a two-division champion.
Miocic said, “I definitely think that would be a great fight for him and I think I’d walk out the winner — I know I will walk out [the winner]. It’s a different weight class [for Jones] and I think I’d do well. I know I’d do well.”
First things first, Miocic has a tall task ahead of him. On August 15th, he will take on DC for the third time.
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Miocic & Cormier Are 1-1 in Their Last 2 Bouts
UFC 252 is a massive night for both Miocic and Cormier. The two men have fought twice, splitting the matches 1-1. The legacy of both fighters are intertwined with each other, and a victory in the trilogy match is paramount if either man wants to be etched in the history books as the greatest heavyweight of all time.
There has been a lively debate in the MMA community since DC moved up from light heavyweight to challenge Miocic for the heavyweight title in July 2018. Before the match, many fans looked at Miocic as the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time as he had just broken the record for most title defenses in the division.
However, the conversation shifted when DC knocked Miocic out in the first round of their UFC 226 fight. Some started regarding Cormier as the greatest in history. Then, 13 months later at UFC 241, Miocic avenged his loss by finishing Cormier in the fourth round to reclaim his belt. After that victory, Miocic once again was regarded by many as the greatest
UFC 252 May Declare Greatest Heavyweight of All Time
UFC 252 will be a telling match. If Miocic defeats Cormier for the second time, it would be very hard to deny him “GOAT” status. Should DC get his hand raised for the second time, eyeballs may shift back to him and he may be declared the greatest ever.
Regardless of the outcome, many may still argue that Fedor Emelianenko is the greatest to ever do it.
All that is for certain is that August 15 is an important night for UFC heavyweight history.
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UFC Champion ‘Knows’ He Would Defeat Jon Jones in Superfight