Getty Image / Chris Graythen
Since Jon Jones claimed the UFC’s vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 with a quick submission of Ciryl Gane, UFC president Dana White has had a lot to say about the division.
He has spent plenty of time downplaying Francis Ngannou’s UFC career and his future plans and claiming that Ngannou ducked Jon Jones.
What we hadn’t heard from him yet was a confirmation of what would actually be next for Jones.
Since Jones claimed the belt, there were 2 clear options that developed for his first challenger.
He could take on former champ Stipe Miocic or rising star Sergei Pavlovich.
Today, White officially revealed what would be coming next for the heavyweight champ.
In his 2nd fight since moving up from light heavyweight, Jones will take on Miocic at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden in November.
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
The UFC always makes sure to load their MSG cards with big fights and this is about as big as it gets for them right now with Conor McGregor still not eligible to fight again.
The matchup might not present Jones with the challenges that taking on Pavlovich would have, but it is still an interesting fight at this point in Jones and Stipe’s careers.
Jones is 35 and ran into some surprising difficulty against Dominick Reyes and Thiago Santos before moving up in weight.
Miocic is 40 and hasn’t stepped in the cage since he was knocked out by Ngannou two years ago.
Still, Miocic has a strong enough wrestling background that Jones definitely won’t be able to just force the fight to the ground to get the win. Stipe is also a former Golden Gloves champion, so he could make Jones uncomfortable on the feet.
Jon Jones will surely be seen as a pretty big favorite in this fight and the UFC probably wouldn’t be thrilled if he lost to a guy who was knocked out by Ngannou, but Stipe Miocic could be a tough challenge for Jones in November.