Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are getting ready to fulfill within the UFC 309 fundamental occasion however there’s virtually as a lot curiosity surrounding what occurs afterwards as there’s what’s going to occur within the battle.
There are longstanding rumors that each rivals may name it a profession and it’s robust to fault that logic. At 42, Miocic doesn’t have age on his facet whereas Jones isn’t far behind at 37. The 2 have achieved extra of their illustrious careers than most fighters might ever dream of.
Whereas it’s extremely unlikely any choice on retirement is introduced previous to the occasion, Jones’ longtime coach Brandon Gibson is treating the present coaching camp like that is the final time he makes the stroll with the reigning UFC heavyweight champion.
“Each time Jon’s prepared [to retire], I’m proper there with him,” Gibson informed MMA Preventing. “I’m approaching this one prefer it’s our final go, it’s our final rodeo.”
Simply because the upcoming battle towards Miocic is likely to be the ultimate time Jones seems within the UFC doesn’t imply he’s already obtained one foot out the door. Gibson insists on the subject of Jones’ precise abilities and preparation, he’s by no means been sharper.
Jones has already achieved a lot within the sport, with fighters, followers, and pundits recurrently discussing him as the best of all time, so there aren’t many extra accolades that he might add to his résumé. Beating Miocic, the longest-reigning heavyweight champion in UFC historical past and likewise the record-holder for many defenses of that title (3), is certainly a checkmark that Jones needs earlier than calling it a profession, however Gibson acknowledges there needs to be a end line for each athlete in some unspecified time in the future.
“I feel bodily, mentally, he might go in there and have 5 or 6 extra nice performances,” Gibson stated. “There’s nothing left for Jon to show. I feel he actually needs this battle with Stipe. I feel this battle will assist solidify Jon’s standing as that nice heavyweight champion however it’s not one thing we discuss each evening on the gymnasium. We’re positively all eyes on Nov. 16. However every time I am going to a follow, I’m approaching it as that is my final camp. I’m giving it my all.
“If we get yet another after this, if we get two extra, that will be a fantastic blessing. I’m additionally able to see Jon dangle it up. Put the belt up. I’d favor them to stroll away clearly sooner than later. Out of all of the fighters, Jon deserves to stroll away any time he needs. I’m at all times going to assist these guys.”
An enormous a part of the narrative main as much as UFC 309 is that Jones is dealing with a neater opponent in Miocic, versus throwing down with Tom Aspinall. The interim heavyweight champion sports activities an 8-1 file within the UFC with all however certainly one of his wins ending by first spherical knockout or submission and he has already defended his title as soon as in Jones’ absence.
As a lot respect as Gibson maintains for Aspinall or another potential opponent for Jones, he is aware of that there’s at all times going to be one other problem awaiting any champion within the sport. A few years in the past Jones combating Francis Ngannou was all anyone might discuss and now that spotlight has shifted dramatically in the direction of Aspinall.
“There’s at all times going to be a subsequent No. 1 contender,” Gibson stated. “There’s by no means going to be an ideal time to stroll out. Any individual will at all times say ‘however you didn’t battle that man.’ To me, it doesn’t matter.
“Ten years from now we’ll have all of the generational talks. How would [Muhammad] Ali have performed towards [Mike] Tyson? How would a Tyson performed towards Tyson Fury? There’s at all times going to be these kinds of discussions that can come down the highway, too. There’s at all times plenty of what ifs on this recreation however what I do know is Nov. 16 we’ll be standing throughout the cage, throughout the octagon from Stipe and his nice workforce. That’s what we’re centered on.”
By the point Jones competes on Nov. 16, he’ll be over 20 months faraway from his most up-to-date look within the UFC when he dispatched Ciryl Gane within the first spherical to say the vacant heavyweight title. Whereas he needed to take time without work to recuperate from a torn pectoral muscle, which is why the Miocic battle was pushed again from 2023 to 2024, Jones has continued to adapt his physique to turn into one of the best heavyweight attainable.
As spectacular as his heavyweight debut was, Gibson expects even higher out of Jones when he competes within the division for the second time towards Miocic.
“He’s getting stronger, quicker, extra expert at heavyweight,” Gibson stated. “Early on, to make that bounce from mild heavyweight, to stand up to heavyweight was placing on plenty of dimension, plenty of mass. Now his physique has gotten very accustomed to that dimension. You noticed his current photograph how lean he’s getting for heavyweight after which we’ve simply assembled this tremendous workforce of coaching companions and coaches.
“Jon’s the best pupil within the recreation as effectively so he’s at all times studying. I feel he’s already probably the most harmful heavyweight there’s and now you add on this plethora of latest instruments, oh it’s simply terrifying. He could be a nightmare to educate towards as a result of there’s no path to victory towards Jon Jones.”
If all goes effectively at UFC 309 and Jones beats Miocic so as to add that identify to his résumé, he could determine proper then and there to put down his gloves and retire or maybe he’ll name out Aspinall for a champion versus champion battle.
It doesn’t matter what, Gibson plans to assist the choice as a result of he believes if anybody has earned the precise to exit on his phrases, it’s Jones.
“Jon’s been sacrificing his physique for this recreation for a very long time,” Gibson stated. “He’s earned it.”
