Jon Jones confirms first UFC heavyweight title defence against Stipe Miocic

08 July 2023 , 10:48

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Jon Jones confirms first UFC heavyweight title defence against Stipe Miocic

UFC legend Jon Jones will defend his heavyweight title for the first time at Madison Square Garden on November 11 against former champion Stipe Miocic.

Jones was a pound-for-pound great at light-heavyweight before bulking up to collect the belt vacated by Francis Ngannou earlier this year. He defeated Cyril Gane in Las Vegas, and will now headline UFC 295 at the most historic New York City venue against Miocic, who has the most world title fight wins in divisional history.

The date for the event was not confirmed last night when UFC boss Dana White announced the fight, but their November pay-per-view always happens on the second Saturday of the month. Jones and Miocic were due in Las Vegas for International Fight Week this year, but according to MMA insider Ariel Helwani the bout was not confirmed in time.

Jones has previously admitted that Miocic, who has won a record-breaking six world title fights at the weight, is the greatest 265lb fighter of all time. After he won the belt in March, he addressed a promo at the former champion saying: "Stipe Miocic, I hope you've been training my guy. You're the greatest heavyweight of all-time, and that's what I want. I want you real bad."

Speaking after last night's Power Slap event in Las Vegas, White told media: "We're going back into Madison Square Garden, this is a fight that had to be done. Especially when you think about the legacy of Jones, the legacy of Stipe.

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Who do you think leaves UFC 295 as heavyweight champion; Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Jon Jones will face Stipe Miocic this November (Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

"The greatest Mixed Martial Artist of all time vs the greatest heavyweight of all time after he moves up to heavyweight. It's a fight that has to happen and no better place for it to happen in Madison Square Garden."

Jones recently squared off with Ngannou at a PFL event, with fans clamouring to see the two heavyweight champions compete against one another. But with the Cameroonian, who never lost his UFC title before leaving the promotion, now on a different promotion it's likely that fight will never happen.

Meanwhile, Miocic hasn't fought since losing his belt to Ngannou back in March of 2021 at UFC 260. Having previously dominated his rival in their initial meeting, he was viciously knocked out the second time out and has since seemed uninterested in fighting any contenders if it isn't for the title.

Donagh Corby