UFC President Dana White made an announcement on Friday stating that Jon Jones will be defending his UFC heavyweight championship title against Stipe Miocic later this year.
The highly anticipated title fight is scheduled to take place on November 11 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Jon recently made a triumphant return to the octagon after a three-year hiatus and secured the heavyweight championship on March 4. He achieved a remarkable Round 1 submission victory over Ciryl Gane.
Stipe, the two-time former heavyweight champion, last competed at UFC 260 in 2021 where he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. Boasting a record of 20 wins and 4 losses, with an astonishing 15 knockouts to his name, Miocic remains a formidable opponent.
Miocic will fight Jon Jones for Heavyweight Championship
This upcoming bout will showcase a clash between Jones, widely recognized as one of the greatest light heavyweights in mixed martial arts history, and Miocic, who White has hailed as “the greatest heavyweight of all time.”
Fans can expect a thrilling showdown between these two exceptional fighters as they vie for supremacy in the heavyweight division.
IT’S OFFICIALLY HAPPENING 🚨@JonnyBones vs @StipeMiocic for the heavyweight title will headline #UFC295 at Madison Square Garden!! pic.twitter.com/Que6RwEjo4
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2023
“Jon Jones, the great mixed martial artist of all time, will defend his title against the greatest heavyweight of all-time, former champ Stipe Miocic,” White announced via social media.
“They headline UFC 295 on Saturday, Nov. 11 at The Mecca, Madison Square Garden in New York City. This is the fight Jon Jones wanted. It’s the fight Stipe wanted and it is a legacy fight for both of these guys.”
At the age of 36, Jon boasts an impressive professional record of 27 wins and only 1 loss, with 17 of those victories ending in finishes. He holds the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings, showcasing his dominance across weight classes.
Jon has openly discussed the possibility of retiring after one more title defense. However, despite his statements, he signed an eight-fight contract extension in January, indicating his ongoing commitment to the sport.
When and where will the fight take place?
The long-awaited showdown between Jon and Stipe has finally been given a date and venue. These two iconic figures in combat sports will headline UFC 295, a highly anticipated pay-per-view event. Scheduled to take place on November 11 at the renowned Madison Square Garden in New York.
The announcement was made by Dana White, the president of the promotion, in a video message that was played prior to the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 290 in Las Vegas.
This fight holds significant importance as Jon (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) looks to capture his first successful UFC heavyweight title defense, potentially marking a pivotal moment in his career. Adding to the intrigue, Jones has hinted that this bout could possibly be his last in mixed martial arts.
Standing in his way is the formidable former champion, Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC). Ever since their respective reigns coincided in 2016, both fighters have expressed interest in facing each other.
The anticipation surrounding this matchup only grew when Jones made the move up to the heavyweight division. Bringing them one step closer to a clash inside the Octagon.
Are you hyped for the heavyweight battle for the ages? Let us know in the comments section.
