Cain Velasquez gives his thoughts on Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

10/10/2023 17:02

Cain Velasquez, former two-time UFC heavyweight champion, gave his thoughts on the UFC 295 clash between heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones and former two-time champion Stipe Miocic.  

Miocic lost the title at 260 in March 2021 when he fell to Francis Ngannou by knockout in their rematch.  He defeated Ngannou in their first bout in January 2018.  Ngannou defended the title once, defeating Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision at 270.  He left the heavyweight title vacant when he left the UFC to seek other opportunities.  

While Ngannou and UFC negotiations were still ongoing, Gane defeated Derrick Lewis in an interim title bout.  Once Ngannou's departure from the organization was final, in stepped Jones.

Jones returned to the octagon after three years away from competition to make his heavyweight debut against Gane in a title unification bout at UFC 285 in March.  The fight was over in two minutes and Jones was the new heavyweight champion.  

Following the submission win over Gane, Jones called out Miocic.  He wanted an opportunity to fight to greatest heavyweight champion of all time.  Miocic quickly accepted the challenge and a UFC 295 showdown was set for Nov. 11 at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York.  

"Jon Jones, the greatest ever.  The greatest ever that you're ever going to see, I believe, especially somebody at that weight class 205 and now heavyweight.  Obviously a complete fighter. Mentally, the strongest competitor that you're going to face out there," Velasquez told The Schmo.

"There's always that puncher's chance.  There is always that maybe chance and that's what, I believe, continues to bring interest into fights.  There's always that maybe chance.  Stipe, the greatest heavyweight as well out there, arguably.  He brings so many threats to Jones as well."

"Obviously, your gut will tell you that Jon Jones may come out on this on top, but there's always that maybe.  Stipe is one of those guys that can bring out that big maybe in this fight as well."