Former two-time UFC heavyweight titleholder Cain Velasquez has shared his take on whether or not Stipe Miocic has a chance of upsetting Jon Jones at UFC 295.
It’s now been well over two years since fight fans last saw Miocic enter the Octagon at UFC 260 and suffer a knockout loss in the second round of his rematch with Francis Ngannou.
The 41-year-old had already built a strong case for being considered the greatest heavyweight of all time prior to that loss, and if he’s able to defeat Jones in November the victory would see Miocic claim the heavyweight title for an unprecedented third time.
Velasquez is one of the other names on the short list for being considered the heavyweight GOAT, and when he was recently asked about that upcoming matchup he took the chance to laud Jones for his incredible accomplishments in the sport.
“Jon Jones – the greatest ever,” Velasquez told The Schmo. “The greatest ever that you’re ever gonna see, I believe…So obviously a complete fighter, mentally the strongest guy, strongest competitor that you’re gonna face out there. But there is always that puncher’s chance. There’s always that ‘maybe’ chance, and that’s what I believe continues to bring interest into the fights.”
“Bones” was a largely dominant force in the light heavyweight division for the majority of his career, but that “maybe” factor Velasquez mentioned did seem to come in play in his less-than-stellar title defenses against Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes.
Dana White Lifts Major UFC Ban: "It Drove Me Crazy"
Jones ran through Ciryl Gane in just over two minutes to claim the heavyweight title earlier this year, and even though Miocic will be returning from a lengthy layoff to challenge him for the belt Velasquez is still giving the former champion a chance to land a big fight-ending shot.
“Stipe – the greatest heavyweight as well out there, arguably. So he bring so many threats to Jon Jones as well. So it’s one of those things that’s like, obviously you think or your gut would tell you that Jon Jones may come out of this on top. But it’s always that ‘maybe’. And Stipe is one of those guys that can bring out that big ‘maybe’ in this fight as well.”
One of the dominant storylines heading into Jones’ title defense at UFC 295 is whether or not he’s planning on hanging up his gloves if manages to defend the heavyweight title, and there seems to be a good chance that result could possibly send Miocic into retirement as well.
A win over one of the division’s greatest fighters would be another huge addition to his record, but many fans are hoping “Bones” sticks around to fight some of the young up-and-comers that have recently risen through the ranks of the heavyweight division.
If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.
More must-reads: