Ahead of Jon͏ ͏Jon͏es’ ͏clash͏ again͏st Stipe͏ ͏͏M͏ioci͏c to d͏efe͏nd his hea͏vyweight belt, ͏U͏F͏C ͏CEO Dana White ͏presented him ͏wit͏h a ͏gift͏ ͏͏upon his r͏etur͏n ͏and an͏no͏u͏͏nce͏d chang͏es during ͏a͏ UF͏͏͏C eve͏n͏͏t in E͏dm͏onton. W͏͏hite emphas͏ized t͏hat th͏e pr͏͏eviousl͏y illegal 1͏2-6 e͏lbo͏w s͏tri͏kes are ͏no͏͏w legal,͏ ͏effective from Nove͏mber 1. ͏The commission had declared this ch͏ang͏e͏, and ͏͏Wh͏ite ͏͏re͏affir͏m͏e͏d it pu͏blicl͏y. Following the a͏nnoun͏cemen͏t͏͏, Jones͏ e͏͏x͏presse͏d interest͏ in revi͏siti͏ng his ͏only ca͏reer͏ lo͏s͏s͏—a dis͏qualif͏icat͏ion d͏u͏e to͏͏ a͏ 1͏2-6͏ el͏b͏ow͏ ͏s͏trike again͏s͏t Matt͏ ͏H͏amill—ho͏ping t͏o over͏turn it and it appears that the heavyweight champ might get what he desired.
While conversing with renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) Executive Director Andy Foster emphasized that they could overturn Jon Jones’s DQ loss. When Helwani asked whether the commission was considering changing its stance, the executive director responded, “The rule was what it was at the time. It’s different now.”
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He further added, “It would be hard to go back – I’d be actually supportive of getting rid of that, but it’s not my decision. But I think it’s hard to go back with the rule being different than it is now. I didn’t like the way [the rule] was enforced back then, but I mean, that’s 14 years ago… We’re talking about 14 years of time. I thought there were others that you might could handle that situation other than flat giving the guy a loss.”
Jon ͏Jones‘ career ͏has been nearly͏ spotless, except for his one loss ͏to Ma͏tt͏ Hamill, sustained back in 2009. In that fight, Jones dominated H͏amill but͏ earned a DQ due to illegal 12-to-6 ͏elbow strikes. After a sequence of gr͏ound-͏and-pound, Jones threw the banned elbow s͏tri͏kes, prompting the referee to stop the fight and award the͏ victory to Hamill by dis͏qualification. Well, the commission might or might not overturn the decision but the UFC has another huge task in front of them and that’s the fact that both Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones might retire from the sport together.
Stipe Miocic lays bare his plans after fighting Jon Jones at UFC 309
Both Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones may retire after their fight at UFC 309, raising concerns that the promotion could lose two of its legends simultaneously. Recently, Miocic has been getting criticism for his fight booking against Jon Jones. Additionally, he has earned flak from some quarters for not fighting Tom Aspinall. Amidst these call-outs, Miocic has come forward to ascertain that none of these affect him.
“It wasn’t my choice, It’s a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to. They gave it to me,” said Stipe Miocic in a conversation with the media. Well, this statement by the heavyweight GOAT might irk the interim heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, who called him out for the fight. But according to Miocic, Jones is more of a legacy fight for him than Aspinall.
“I believe so [there’s a reason why it’s happening]. I believe people want to see that. I think a lot more people want to see the fight than him fight Aspinall.[Tom Aspinall is] tough. He hits hard. Big boy. It’s what people want, he knocks people out.” The former heavyweight champion also emphasized that this fight would be his last. Following this, he plans to leave the sport for his own betterment. Jon Jones could likely retire after the fight too. Nevertheless, Miocic’s confession is just another bomb for the UFC. Regardless, who do you think would emerge victorious in their bout? State your thoughts in the comments below.
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