Jon Jones to defend heavyweight title vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden

Jon Jones will defend his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, according to president Dana White.

Jones returned to the octagon in March to make his heavyweight debut and won the heavyweight strap over Ciryl Gane after over a decade of reigning over the light-heavyweight division. Miocic is the former heavyweight champion and considered the best champion at the weight in the promotion’s history.

The fight everyone wanted with the two biggest and baddest men in the sport is official.

“What’s up everybody, UFC president Dana White here, it’s international fight week here in Vegas so it’s the perfect time to announce another badass fight,” White said. “For the heavyweight championship of the world, Jon Jones, the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, will defend his title against the greatest heavyweight of all time, former champ Stipe Miocic. 

“They headline UFC 295 on Saturday, November 11 at the mecca. Madison Square Garden in New York City. This is the fight Jon Jones wanted, this is the fight Stipe wanted, it is a legacy fight for both of these guys. It’s official, it’s done, make your plans now and I will see you at the fights.”

Jones is 27-1 with one no-contest in his career, although many contest his lone loss (which was a disqualification). Many pundits claim it should be stricken from Jones’ record due to a less-than-popular rule.

Miocic is 20-4 in his career but last fought March 27, 2021 when he lost his title to Francis Ngannou. Ngannou has since left the UFC and signed a deal with PFL, which vacated the belt ahead of Jones’ heavyweight debut.

Miocic originally won the belt May 14, 2016 over Fabricio Werdum and had three title defenses. He lost the belt to Daniel Cormier, another double-champ at light-heavyweight and heavyweight. Miocic would win the rematch and the third fight before his rematch and loss to Ngannou.

It seemed like Miocic gunned for a third fight against Ngannou, but after his knockout loss, the UFC opted for Ngannou-Gane in January 2022 after Gane won the interim belt in August of 2021.

As things didn’t work out for Miocic, Jones reentered the picture.

Jones and Miocic will headline what could be a massive PPV card later this year. At this rate, it might be the biggest card of the year considering the title fight, sans a Conor McGregor PPV card.