Former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic counts a third crown as important -- but not quite as important as fighting legendary Jon "Bones" Jones.
Miocic, 41, made clear his goal for this year on the Jaxxon Podcast.
"I don't care about the title, I just want to fight Jon Jones, that's just it," he said.
Miocic has won 14 of his 18 UFC fights but last entered the octagon in 2021 when he lost to Francis Ngannou. He had his scheduled November 2023 bout with Jones (21-1 UFC) postponed when Jones suffered a tear of his pectoral tendon.
While Tom Aspinall has the interim title, having defeated Sergei Pavlovich via knockout on the UFC 295 card, both Jones and Miocic are more interested in each other.
"Tom's a good champion," Miocic added during the podcast. "He's a great champion. He's tough -- not up-and-coming, but young and hungry. We'll get to that road when we have to, but I want Jon Jones. I don't care about the title -- I just want to fight Jon Jones."
Jones, who turns 37 in July, provided an update of sorts on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday morning:
"I'm in the middle of a pretty clear decision ... stick to exact and original plans, and fight the man with all the accolades. Or, completely disregard all of the Stipe training I've put in and fight another potential hype train that may not even be around in three years.
"I am not changing my plans for anyone. Stipe is over there as the best heavyweight ever working his (butt) off. I'm gonna give that man what he wants, and I'm going to claim another head. Whatever comes next comes next."
The UFC initially had Miocic-Jones as a potential summer matchup, but Miocic expects it to come near the end of the year.
"(The UFC) were talking about July. That passed on," Miocic said. "I'm thinking more maybe November again in New York."
Madison Square Garden would be a natural fit, with added juice given Jones is from New York.
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