Daniel Cormier, a former UFC champion with a history against both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, has issued a word of caution to Jones ahead of his anticipated title unification bout against Miocic at Madison Square Garden this November. Cormier advises Jones not to underestimate Miocic’s capabilities, emphasizing the danger of overlooking him.
Jones, who captured the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023 by defeating Ciryl Gane, suffered a pectoral muscle tear during training for a planned November 2023 fight against Miocic, delaying their showdown. Despite Jones’ dismissal of retirement rumors and his assertion that he’s still very much a part of the heavyweight picture, Cormier stresses the importance of Jones respecting Miocic’s skills.
Cormier, speaking on his YouTube channel, emphasizes that Miocic is a formidable opponent regardless of his age, warning Jones against disregarding him. He acknowledges Jones’ desire for lucrative fights with minimal risk but urges him to approach the bout with Miocic with full respect for the former champion’s abilities.
Meanwhile, Jones has been active on social media, refuting retirement rumors and reaffirming his commitment to the sport. Addressing critics who accused him of hindering the heavyweight division due to his injury, Jones asserts his readiness to return to action in November. He takes a jab at upcoming contenders, highlighting the discrepancy between their status and his own in the division.
As the highly anticipated matchup between Jones and Miocic approaches, Cormier’s cautionary message serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts and the importance of respecting one’s opponents, especially in high-stakes championship bouts.
