Getty Image / Chris Unger
Jon Jones is set to take on Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in what should be a thrilling fight.
However, while discussing his upcoming bout, Jones admitted he’s having “nightmares” about Miocic.
He sat down with the OverDogs Podcast and opened up about what it’s like preparing for fights. Jon Jones claims he becomes nervous “once the contract is signed.”
Additionally, he explains how his opponent, in this case, Stipe Miocic, is on his mind nearly 24/7. But he does make it clear that this isn’t the first time an opponent has given him “nightmares.”
“I feel like when you get to a place when you don’t feel anything is probably when it’s time to hang it up and try something different. At this point, I still get really nervous, man. I have nightmares about my opponents. About every hour, Stipe Miocic will cross my mind. He will cross my mind. I could be having a drink, you name it, he crosses my mind. I could be at my kid’s volleyball game and I’m thinking about Stipe. There’s a lot of mental that goes into it that I don’t think people realize. But the goal is to just conquer that.”
It’s kind of cool to see this side of Jon Jones for once. Even though he’s regarded as the greatest UFC fighter of all time, Jones has a vulnerable side too.
But what sets him apart from the rest is that rather than running away from his anxiety, he faces them headstrong.
Jones goes on to give Miocic the ultimate praise. And it’s kind of his way of overcoming the mental side of fighting. It’s how Jon Jones can prepare so well for his opponents.
He doesn’t view anyone as an underdog and is definitely not sleeping on Miocic.
“Stipe has balls. He has courage. He’s not the youngest fighter, but that is a man. That is a man. I’m not the youngest either. In sports years, I’m over the hill, that’s for sure. Especially in combat sports. Stipe, he’s an honorable dude, and I know that he’s a man at the end of the day, and I know that he wants this fight. Everyone else thinks that his back’s against the wall and this is a David and Goliath situation for him. I disagree. I think Stipe is a very capable athlete and I think I owe it to Stipe to give him that chance to fight the best fighter ever. And I think Stipe owes it to me to give me a chance to fight the greatest heavyweight ever. I think we owe it to each other. I feel like we both would feel like we have unfinished business if we walked away not competing against each other.”
This is something young fighters can learn from. Giving all of that respect to an opponent allows Jones to fully prepare for the fight. It’s no wonder he’s been so dominant throughout his career.
Jon Jones still has some time to prepare for Stipe Miocic, as UFC 295 isn’t until November 11. As of now, it is the only fight on the card, but Dana White will eventually name more fights on the card as the date draws closer.