Stipe Miocic is responding to critics who say he is degrading the UFC heavyweight division.
Jones and Miocic were scheduled to fight for the heavyweight title at UFC 295 last November. The bout was canceled after “Bones” withdrew due to injury.
Instead, Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA) faced Sergey Pavlovich (18-3 MMA) at UFC 295 and won the interim UFC heavyweight title.
The Briton made it clear that he believes he should have been given the permanent heavyweight title due to Jones' withdrawal, but that wasn't the case – he remains in interim status.
Well, Stipe Miocic has made it clear he doesn't mind, as he's patiently waiting his turn in the Octagon to face Jones for the heavyweight title.
Miocic offered his thoughts on Aspinall's situation to CBS Sports:
“I know, I feel the same way, but I'm not going to write him off. UFC can do what they want, that's the reality. The only person I want to fight is Jon Jones, but at the same time, UFC can choose who they want to fight. You don't know this, but there were a few times when I was ready to fight him and they gave him someone else. What should I do? Like everyone says, I'm not going down a weight class. I don't care. Do what you want and stop crying. I'm not saying he should cry, I'm just talking about the fans.”
Regarding the fight between himself and “Bones,” Stipe Miocic continued:
“Everyone thinks he's going to beat me. I don't like to be told that. I like to shut people up. He can beat me, I know that. I can beat anyone, I'll be the first to beat him. I don't think my style suits his. Maybe if the positions were reversed, I would too. He has a lot of good things – distance, leg work, ground game. I'm good at taking the fight. I have the technique, but I can also get into a brawl and make him very uncomfortable, and so does he. I think it depends on who's doing what. Unfortunately, I don't like to be told what to do, so I'm going to do what I want to do.”
At the end of the day, Miocic is going to do it his way.
The Miocic (20-4 MMA) vs. Jones (27-1 MMA) bout is rumored to take place on Nov. 9 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
What do you think about Stipe Miocic's commentary on the heavyweight division? Are you looking forward to the Miocic vs Jones fight? Any predictions?
PENN Nation, share your thoughts in the comments!
