Jon Jones is gearing up for battle week.
The heavyweight champion is days away from defending his title in opposition to Stipe Miocic in the principle occasion of UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York, and he’s tuning in to the cardboard’s pre-fight programming. Particularly, Jones took umbrage with Miocic’s selection of phrases from the current UFC Countdown program.
“Convey it on, b*tch,” Miocic mentioned on the present.
Jones responded to the clip through an Instagram Story and on Twitter, which may be seen beneath (h/t Joyful Punch).
“Hiring black fighters to imitate me won’t allow you to, Stipe,” Jones wrote. “And also you shouldn’t have referred to as me a bitch, the disrespect wasn’t vital. Let’s play.”
For probably the most half, the rivalry between Jones and Miocic had been respectful previous to this alternate. Jones has typically touted his respect for Miocic, the document holder for probably the most profitable defenses (4) of the UFC heavyweight title. The 2 have been first booked to battle at UFC 295 in December 2023, however a pectoral harm compelled Jones out of that matchup and put him on the sidelines for a number of months.
In Jones’ absence, British heavyweight Tom Aspinall defeated Sergei Pavlovich for an interim title and has efficiently defended it as soon as, defeating Curtis Blaydes this previous July. Aspinall has repeatedly expressed curiosity in unifying the titles, although Jones’ sights have been locked solely on Miocic.
Jones’ refusal to acknowledge Aspinall—the No. 1 heavyweight within the MMA Preventing World Rankings—because the true contender for his title has ruffled quite a lot of feathers within the MMA neighborhood, with the all-time nice being accused of “ducking” Aspinall.
After responding to Miocic, Jones fired off one other sequence of tweets responding to his critics, together with high gentle heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev, who additionally mocked Jones for not combating Aspinall.
Sound like somebody scary of huge TOM
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) November 9, 2024
Magomed jealousy received’t earn you legend standing, my pal. Prepare tougher, hate much less. Wish to actually insult me? Break a few of my information first. Let’s get began.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
“Magomed, jealousy received’t earn you legend standing, my pal,” Jones wrote. “Prepare tougher, hate much less. Wish to actually insult me? Break a few of my information first. Let’s get began.”
Ankalaev then posted a tweet poking enjoyable at Jones’ historical past of drug check failures. Throughout Jones’ legendary run as gentle heavyweight king from 2011-2020, he put collectively arguably probably the most spectacular résumé in MMA historical past, defeating a litany of former world champions and elite challengers. Nevertheless, a pair of drug exams serve to blemish his status, one which price him in an interim title in 2016 and one other that precipitated a championship win over Daniel Cormier in 2017 to be overturned to a no-contest.
See extra of Jones’ tweet storm as he responded to followers beneath.
It’s an honor to be so desired. I’m over right here as one of the profitable fighters in MMA historical past listening to grade faculty insults. i’m gonna miss this someday. https://t.co/CRQJlX6l9R
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
It’s wild how narratives appear to seem out of skinny air. Stipe and I’ve been set to battle for ages, even earlier than the interim title bout. A few of y’all simply run with tales you would like have been actual. https://t.co/UDitvWhsgX
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
I do know it’s arduous for lots of you guys to understand,, however based mostly on his résumé right this moment, combating and beating him would change nothing about my legacy. I’d actually be in the identical place I’m now. The Goat https://t.co/9vNS0Ga4gd
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
If he turns into the perfect of all time, then calling me a duck would make sense. Proper now? Manner too early. My problem to him: construct a profession like mine. Successful 5? Laborious sufficient. 17? I significantly doubt it. https://t.co/wxhVq9sQjj
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024
I really like speaking MMA with you guys, hope y’all have a fantastic night time. –
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 11, 2024