Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will return to action for the first time in well over two years for a blockbuster title clash with current champ Jon Jones at UFC 295 in November and it seems he’s not planning to just ease his way into the fight once the bell rings.
Instead the 40-year-old Miocic intends to dictate his gameplan rather than waiting for his rival to lead the dance.
“I’m not going to let him dictate what he wants to do,” Miocic said on the Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith’s ‘Believe You Me’ podcast. “I’m going to dictate what I want to do. I’m going to do what I want. The minute I let him stop doing what I want, I’ve lost the fight. But if I do what I want, my chances are a lot better of winning than losing.”
Part of that mind-set appears to be a recognition that if left to his own devices, Jones is more dangerous due to his more varied, unpredictable offense.
“I’m not like that,” Miocic admitted. “You could say I’m a basic b**** – I’m more like a one-two, one-two kick. I’m simple. He’s very dangerous from everywhere. He does things you wouldn’t expect, so I need to prepare for everything.”
Nevertheless, Miocic, who holds the most consecutive heavyweight title defenses in UFC history (3) is convinced that he can not only beat Jones, but become the first man to finish him too.
“I’m walking out with the belt wrapped around my waist – and new, there’s no question about that,” Miocic declared. “I’m going to beat him in every aspect of the game. I’m going for the finish.”
