UFC two-time heavyweight Miocic is receiving a lot of backlash for choosing to wait for Jon Jones. Jon Jones was set to face Miocic at UFC 295 last November to defend his heavyweight title, but Jones had to withdraw from the fight due to a torn pectoral muscle.
The heavyweight championship title was initially occupied by Francis Ngannou, who vacated it after his exit from the UFC. Jones Jones and Cyril Gane then fought for the title, which Jones won by submission in the first round. To determine who would eventually fight for the title after Jones and Miocic had fought, an interim title was created, which Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich fought for. Tom Aspinall won that fight in the first round by a TKO.
Since his interim title win, Aspinall has sought to battle Miocic or Jones, but neither fighter seemed eager to face him. Both opponents hope to face each other in a rematch battle, but an official date has yet to be announced. Fans and MMA lovers are wearing out their patience in seeing these old rivals battle and would much rather see a battle between Jones and Aspinall.
The 41-year-old responded to fans’ outcry and impatience for the fight in an interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri. The fighter stated that fans should be patient and stop ‘crying.’
“I get it. I’d feel the same way, but I’m not taking anything away from him [Aspinall]. The UFC can do what they want. It is what it is. There’s only one guy I want to fight. It’s Jon Jones. But at the same time, the UFC can pick who they want.
“People don’t know this but there were a couple of other times where I was ready to fight and they gave them another guy. What am I supposed to do? I’m not holding up any division like everyone says. I don’t care. Do what you want and stop crying. I’m not saying he’s crying. I’m just saying like fans and stuff like that.”
Miocic is eager to face Jones as he turns 42 soon. The fighter admires Aspinall’s courage and persistence in wanting a faceoff, but he won’t budge from fighting anyone else but ‘Bones.’
“Because everyone thinks he’s gonna beat my a**… I don’t like being told that. I like shutting people up, and he’s beatable. And, I know he is. Anyone’s beatable, and I’m gonna be the first to do it.”
