UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones could have already got his palms full with followers who need him to show himself towards interim champ Tom Aspinall, however earlier than that he’ll must get previous Stipe Miocic on Nov. 16. And, if his current snub of Miocic is something to go by, Saturday’s epic UFC 309 matchup is about to be one other extremely private conflict. Right here’s why.
Rochester, New York native Jon Jones (21-1 in UFC) had a troublesome time this week in the course of the press convention for his upcoming title protection at Madison Sq. Backyard. Regardless of being the native hero, followers and journalists needed to know if Jones can be up for a conflict towards Aspinall if he’s victorious at UFC 309.
Whereas boss Dana White welcomed the extremely anticipated bout, Jones has been lower than smitten by taking up the Brit, as an alternative telling journalists that he would fairly choose fights that excite him. This example boiled over on the press convention when a big contingent within the room started to chant for “Tommy.” And, fairly than maintain his cool, Jones fired again, “Knock it off,” however that wasn’t the top of the drama.
Why did Jon Jones snub Stipe Miocic forward of UFC 309?
Whereas Jones, who final fought in March 2023, is on file as calling Aspinall and a** gap, he additionally has private beef with Miocic (14-4 in UFC). As the 2 fighters received in place for the compulsory face-off, Jones snubbed Miocic’s providing of a handshake. Apparently, the non-public emotions had been resulting from feedback that firefighter Miocic had made within the buildup to the combat. “Everybody likes first responders and I respect women and men who’re within the armed forces, regulation enforcement, issues like that, so I made it a degree to be very respectful to him,” he instructed reporters.
However he took offense after accusing Miocic of claiming “my youngsters won’t ever take a look at me like I’m an a**gap,” believing that the quote was an assault on his circle of relatives dynamic. Jones additionally mentioned he was lower than completely happy that Miocic had referred to as him a “b*tch.” So then, the champ says that the combat is now very private to him and that; “the respect is out of the window.”
Scores shall be settled at UFC 309 ON Saturday, November 16, out there on ESPN+.