Here is why I believe Stipe Miocic will beat Jon Jones

[Equinox Shadow]

HW 'chunky' Jones did not look fast against Gane. Just very much superior in getting the grappling submission. By LHW Jones standards, chunky HW Jones is a couple steps slower.

...But as much as I would like Stipe to win, Jones is the best MMA strategy fighter in the history of the sport. And some of the best timing.
...When Reyes was touching him up the first few rounds of their fight, Jones would literally turn tail and run to the other side of the Octagon to recover and regroup and reset. He also did that against Rampage when he ate couple shots.
...Also to note, Jones brought his D fighting game to the Reyes fight.
...I've got Reyes winning that fight 3 rounds to 2.

...Santos starts tagging Jones and Jones backs up and gets out of there.
...Round 4, Santos lands a pretty hard shot. Jones literally turns tail and runs to the other side of the Octagon to recover, regroup and reset.
...it's a great strategy. But this fight, I would call that Jones C fighting game, but enough to win.

...The Jones version that fought Reyes and Santos is beatable.
....Slower HW chunky Jones is beatable by a Stipe from six, seven or eight years ago.
...But at 42 years old, Stipe is in trouble. Chunky Jones goes to work on Stipe's legs with those effective, unorthodox kicks he does. Then Jones will grapple submit him.

Are people talking themselves into Stipe having a chance? He's looked slow in his last few fights, and those were years ago. Jon's reach and speed advantage will make the striking difficult, and Jon has showed himself to be an elite wrestler.

He is going to run over Stipe. I don't think Stipe even thinks he can win. He's going out there to earn one last big paycheck. I see Jon hurting him on the feet, then getting mount and either getting the GnP stoppage or the RNC.

 

[RuDeMeNT]

Jon Jones doesn´t have that one shoot KO threat nor does he have an advantage on Stipe in the wrestling department. Stipe Miocic is great wrestler with a wrestling background himself and super durable. The fight will be fought mostly stand-up and here is why I believe Miocic gets an advantage he has power unlike Jones and could probably catch Jones plus he has long reach and Jones won´t be able to enjoy fighting on the outside.

I was listening to the rampage podcast where Ngannou said alot of people don´t realize how tough Stipe is and it surprises people when in there with him and I completely agree with him. I believe this fight will play out like Stipe vs DC 3 very tough back and forth fight where Stipe eventually finds the finish in the end

johnny bones loses this fight by himself.... johnny bones doesnt lose fights..... he will win like he wins all his fights

 

[Goutfather]

stipe always gets counted out. that’s a big part of his story now. he has always been much better than he’s given credit for.

but jones really is that guy. he’s got the best fight iq in all of mma, which is enough to take this fight. jones is also very strong, even tho he lacks power relative to his other attributes. if they end up on the ground or in a scramble, i’m sure that jones will be able to dictate where the fight goes from there. and it will be a place where jones has the upper hand.

so once again, im gonna have to count out stipe. he’s got a chance but it will be a long shot.

 

[CombatCyborg]

nor does he have an advantage on Stipe in the wrestling department

The whole prediction hinges on this. Jon's goal will be to frustrate Stipe on the feet and then take every opportunity to get him on his back. He tore his pec training takedowns for this fight.

It depends how old Stipe fights, if he's still got it then he does actually have a lot of advantages.

 

[World eater]

Stipe has been kept in the rankings for years on Jon’s behalf. Jon is a smart guy, if he is so hellbent on fighting Stipe, the chances of him winning are huge. I don’t even think this will be a fair fight.

 

[Simple Southerner]

Jon via anything he wants these days.
Years ago stipe had a really good shot at beating him

 

[Thepaintbucket]

The last time Stipe fought, he was brutally emasculated by Francis. It will be three and a half years since he entered the octagon. This simply isn't good for Stipe. He's going to come into this fight extremely cautious and gun shy. If Miocic give Jon too much respect and allows Jones to chill on the outside, it's going to be a bad night for Stipe

I hope his game plan will be to press forward, tie him up against the octagon and attempt takedowns even though I don't think Stipe will have a high percentage in that department

 

[HCS]

HW 'chunky' Jones did not look fast against Gane. Just very much superior in getting the grappling submission. By LHW Jones standards, chunky HW Jones is a couple steps slower.

...But as much as I would like Stipe to win, Jones is the best MMA strategy fighter in the history of the sport. And some of the best timing.
...When Reyes was touching him up the first few rounds of their fight, Jones would literally turn tail and run to the other side of the Octagon to recover and regroup and reset. He also did that against Rampage when he ate couple shots.
...Also to note, Jones brought his D fighting game to the Reyes fight.
...I've got Reyes winning that fight 3 rounds to 2.

...Santos starts tagging Jones and Jones backs up and gets out of there.
...Round 4, Santos lands a pretty hard shot. Jones literally turns tail and runs to the other side of the Octagon to recover, regroup and reset.
...it's a great strategy. But this fight, I would call that Jones C fighting game, but enough to win.

...The Jones version that fought Reyes and Santos is beatable.
....Slower HW chunky Jones is beatable by a Stipe from six, seven or eight years ago.
...But at 42 years old, Stipe is in trouble. Chunky Jones goes to work on Stipe's legs with those effective, unorthodox kicks he does. Then Jones will grapple submit him.

Nice breakdown. I almost said Jon's reach and timing will give him an advantage. Should've gone with that.

 

[sutherland]

If stipe lands like Dom Reyes and Thiago Santos did (lmao), Jones will be finished in this fight.

But if Stipe gets caught like he did in the Reem fight I dont think he’s getting out. Id still give Jones the edge.

 

[usernamee]

Stipe is gonna eat a 100 oblique kicks and his knees will never be the same. Tough to get in range and land punches when you're busy hyperextending your knees.

 

[g*r*b]

Stipe is gonna eat a 100 oblique kicks and his knees will never be the same. Tough to get in range and land punches when you're busy hyperextending your knees.

I do worry about this possibility. Stipe's a sturdy cuss generally, but he's had multiple knee procedures. It's a common fate of the ex-wrestler.

 

[jsbx45]

As much as I would love to see Stipe take this, I have to favor Jones in this match-up. Stipe looks old AF and hasn't fought in a looonnnngggg time. Jones has never lost. Hasn't taken anywhere near the damage Stipe has. Hope to be proven wrong though.

 

[usernamee]

I do worry about this possibility. Stipe's a sturdy cuss generally, but he's had multiple knee procedures. It's a common fate of the ex-wrestler.

Eye surgery too right lol

gonna be real sore afterwards..

 

[DomiDomi]

A prime Stipe would be an issue for Jones, he has the length of the likes of Gus/Reyes, but actual knockout power to go along with it. He also had good enough wrestling to force it to primarily be stand up fight.

This version of Stipe? I expect him to look slightly better than Chuck and Tito did in their latest fight. He'll be far too slow to land anything meaningful.

 

[Final Say]

But if Stipe gets caught like he did in the Reem fight I dont think he’s getting out. Id still give Jones the edge.

Stipe has seldom been dropped by anybody and walking into a straight left by Alistair Overeem is more than likely going to be a heavier shot than anything he eats from Jones, who typically fights at range.

I would be more concerned with short elbows and hooks from Jones in (or exiting) the clinch.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Stipe doesn't think he can beat jones either. Not sure why you should.

 

[mjfan23]

If stipe lands like Dom Reyes and Thiago Santos did (lmao), Jones will be finished in this fight.

True but that’s a big if.

 

[clutchCAT420]

Jones will look like Maldonado vs stipe. Hes gonna get ktfo

 

[NoStoneUnturned]

As many others have pointed out, Stipe turns 42 in just a few days and his last fight was March of 2021. If Stipe and Jon were the same age I might, just might, favor Stipe (natural HW vs a fattened up one). At 42 Stipe is going to be super slow. You don't get faster at 42. You don't get better cardio at 42. You don't get better anything at 42, well, you get more delusional that you're the one to defy age. This isn't Randy fighting some oaf (he wasn't bad, just an oaf). Stipe is fighting Jon Jones, who, while not what he once was, is a straight up legend amongst legends. Jon is of bad character and has PED issues, doesn't matter, Jones fights for legacy and he thinks Stipe is an easy, worst case moderately difficult, fight. I think Jon is probably right, but a lot of that rightness is due to Stipe's age.

 

[Final Say]

True but that’s a big if.

That’s actually why I added the lmao, cuz if they could do it, stipe definitely can. People will say that’s an unknown because of his age but I disagree with that, stipe is a lot better than those guys and would KO the versions Jones fought even in his current stage