Rumored Curtis Blaydes Explains Why He Believes Stipe Miocic Will Beat Jon Jones in Heavyweight Debut.

[Substance Abuse]

Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic appear destined to do battle before the end of 2022 in what could be one of the biggest fights in UFC heavyweight history.

The fight would serve as Jones’ first bout at heavyweight after he reigned over the 205-pound division for his entire career. Miocic, on the other hand, hasn’t fought since losing his title to Francis Ngannou in March 2021, but a win over somebody like Jones would almost certainly put him back in line to battle for gold again.

When the odds for the fight were first released, betting experts had Jones as a 2-to-1 favorite over Miocic. But fellow heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes believes anybody expecting that fight to be easy for either man just doesn’t know enough about the sport.

“I feel like when you say people, do you mean casuals or do you mean the educated MMA fans?” Blaydes said in reaction on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Because I think the educated MMA fans understand this fight is legitimately a pick ‘em. It could go either way.”

Blaydes acknowledged the talent that Jones brings with him to the heavyweight division, but noted it will still be Jones’ first time engaging with bigger, stronger, and more powerful opposition. And that’s especially true when dealing with somebody like Miocic, who has 15 career knockouts on his résumé, including four in UFC title fights.

That power possessed by Miocic is what Blaydes expects to be the difference against a fighter in Jones who might be the greatest mixed martial artist in history but has also never been hit by someone as dangerous as the former UFC heavyweight champion.

“Jon, he hasn’t shown that one-punch knockout power,” Blaydes explained. “What he has shown, he is extremely creative. He’ll hit you with elbows, knees, teeps, all types of different stuff. Even on the ground, he’s aggressive. He’s looking for submissions. He’s looking to drop elbows. He brings a lot to the table, but the biggest thing he doesn’t have is the power. I think that’s always the equalizer.

“I would pick Stipe to win this. Just because he’s been in five-round heavyweight fights multiple times and he’s shown one-punch power when he knocked out Fabricio [Werdum], when he knocked out Alistair [Overeem]. I know that wasn’t one punch, but it was one punch that set up the finish. He’s already shown that, and he has the wrestling, he has the conditioning. I just believe he’s a smart enough fighter, he’ll be able to figure out Jon after two or three rounds. He’ll start to land. His punches are going to hurt more than the punches of a Jon Jones. That’s just what I think. I think it could go either way.”

In Jones most recent fight in 2020, he absorbed 119 strikes from Dominick Reyes, who had the then-champion on the ropes in the early rounds before slowing down later in the fight. Despite losing a decision, Reyes has always maintained that he should’ve been victorious that night, yet ultimately Jones still left with his title intact.

As much as he respects Reyes and the pop in his own punches, Blaydes knows it’s still a different story getting hit by somebody like Miocic at heavyweight.

“I’ve sparred with [Dominick Reyes] before, multiple times,” Blaydes said. “He does hit hard, but it ain’t like getting hit by a heavyweight. It ain’t the same.”

Blaydes gives Jones credit for the ability to turn the tables on Miocic if he approaches the fight the correct way, which is why he’s hesitant to guarantee victory for either competitor.

“What if Jon Jones comes out and takes down Stipe and he’s on top?” Blaydes said. “We haven’t seen Stipe on bottom. I guess we have against [Daniel Cormier], but the dimensions of ‘DC’ vs. Jon Jones are different. He’s a different guy. I think it’s going to be interesting. I would pick Stipe, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he lost either.”

With his own fight scheduled against Tom Aspinall at UFC London on Saturday, Blaydes isn’t putting too much time thinking about what’s next for him, but he’s always loved the idea of facing Miocic one day after they trained together briefly at the start of his fighting career.

Blaydes still considers Miocic to be one of the toughest matchups for him in the division, and that’s why he’s dreamed of testing himself against arguably the best heavyweight to ever compete in the UFC.

“I think stylistically we’re the most similar,” Blaydes said of Miocic. “He’s a smart, technical boxer, who uses his footwork. That’s what I strive to do. This is one thing that he does that I’m looking to add into my game. He doesn’t force the takedowns. Sometimes I just force it.

“I just have it in my head, we’re going to the ground. He allows the takedowns to happen organically so it’s smoother and it doesn’t take as much energy. Me, I don’t mind spending the energy because I think it’s worth it, because once I get on top, that’s when I get to rest. But that’s something I’ve always been focusing on implementing — not telegraphing the takedowns or being so intentional about it. Just allow it to happen. That’s something I admire about his game.”

Link: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/7/...ocic-will-beat-jon-jones-in-heavyweight-debut

 

[Adebisi]

We haven’t seen Jones fight in years, so we don’t really know where he’s at from a physical standpoint. He certainly has less wear on him, though.

Stipe looked absolutely horrendous in his last fight. It could have been an anomaly, but he’s old and been in wars, he might just be finished.

 

[greenhawk]

Stipe will be 40 next month. Jones aint losing to some grandpa.

 

[DS66]

They're both past their prime. I think it would come down to a matter of how motivated Jon is. If he's genuinely motivated and has that fire re-lit inside of him, I think he can give 40 year-old Stipe a lot of problems with his speed and striking from the outside. If Jones "phones it in" like he did during his last couple LHW defenses, Stipe can probably beat him. But I'd lean more towards the former- I think Jones ego is too big and the voices of the doubters ring loud in his ears. There's nothing Jon like mores than proving the doubters wrong and that might just reignite that flame inside of him.

 

[Paul E Gensinger]

Stipe is done.
But Jones is fat. He already slowed down considerably 2.5 years ago. Without that speed, and obviously no power, he will NOT impress at Heavyweight.
Jones had the perfect LHW body. That reach, the lankiness, and the wrestling. It won't work at Heavyweight. His poor form stiff legged deadlifts don't always translate to cage strength.
It doesn't matter, Jones won't make an exceptional heavyweight and Stipe is SHOT. IF they fight (I think Stipe retires), it doesn't matter who wins, they're both irrelevant at this point.

 

[Joshuaace]

Jon is just coming in to his prime years relative to the HW division. He has a HW frame, a very well rounded skillset for the division, and a ton of Championship experience. How much speed he is able to keep, and how much strength he has gained are obviously still a mystery at HW. His Brothers are some big athletic guys. Jon has a lifetime of experience with BIG "A" Level athletes, I doubt he under estimates the task at hand at all.

I got Jon.

 

[Adebisi]

They're both past their prime. I think it would come down to a matter of how motivated Jon is. If he's genuinely motivated and has that fire re-lit inside of him, I think he can give 40 year-old Stipe a lot of problems with his speed and striking from the outside. If Jones "phones it in" like he did during his last couple LHW defenses, Stipe can probably beat him. But I'd lean more towards the former- I think Jones ego is too big and the voices of the doubters ring loud in his ears. There's nothing Jon like mores than proving the doubters wrong and that might just reignite that flame inside of him.

Jones is too smart of a fighter and his narcissism is too extreme to take a fight in which he doesn’t fully believe he will win. If he takes this fight, he’ll be motivated and knows he will win IMO.

He’ll NEVER fight Ngannou, though, I can guarantee that. It’s very clear that he’s waiting to see how everything plays out with Francis.

 

[VinceArch]

Stipe will be 40 next month. Jones aint losing to some grandpa.

Stipe has certainly seen better days but Jon hasn't fought for an awful long time and who knows how he'll fight for the first time at HW where he will (most likely) be clean? It's an interesting fight and to write off Stipe completely is foolish.

 

[Pequeño Corey]

My boy Chris said that Stipe is low key looking yuge. A solid deuce and a half. Jones is in trahmendous trouble if he gets locked in there with Uber Stipe.

 

[TempleoftheDog]

I’m convinced Stipe beats Jones. And the list of reasons why isn’t exactly short.

 

[Paul E Gensinger]

I’m convinced Stipe beats Jones. And the list of reasons why isn’t exactly short.

How do you account for his last two fights? Made Ngannou look like Ali.
And his "win" over very fat, bad back Daniel was terrible.

 

[Axe720]

Like he said, Stipe has the experience factor at HW. He's lost a step but he's still no pushover. Not saying it's impossible for Jones to win, but that's a tough task if it his divisional debut.

 

[Ozze]

If they get into a clinch/dirty boxing situation, who would get wobbled first?

Jones by Miocic hands or Miocic by Jones elbows?

 

[Paul E Gensinger]

If they get into a clinch/dirty boxing situation, who would get wobbled first?

Jones by Miocic hands or Miocic by Jones elbows?

Ok, I pick Stipe by Jones elbows.

But both of these guys are question marks on whether they'll ever fight again. Therefore I say the chances of getting them in the same cage this year is zero.

 

[2004 account]

It's definitely a winnable fight for Jon Jones but stipe just might take it if he fights smart and doesn't look so geriatric


Jon should fight one of the young guns first as his intro of fire into the division, he def doesn't deserve to be blessed with a Francis ko til he proves himself at hw imo.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

If Jon Jones is 80% as good as he once was in his prime at LHW. He'll beat Stipe.

 

[Pechan]

Jon picks slow, old Stipe apart.

 

[surgeyou1]

Jon picks slow, old Stipe apart.

As if Jones isn't going to be old and slow after taking 3 years off and adding 30lbs.

 

[Shay Brennan]

I've got Stipe by UD.

 

[Captain Herb]

Stipe will be 40 next month. Jones aint losing to some grandpa.

They are both grandpas in MMA years and also completely inactive. It already has the feel of a legends fight. If the winner goes on to fight for the belt against any contender, they are going to get flattened.