The two champions, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic have left fans holding their breath after canceling their scheduled fight last November. Heavyweight champion Jon Jones withdrew from the match after suffering a torn pectoral injury but has since been on his road to recovery.
Due to this match’s delay, fans have been doubtful and have blamed Stipe Miocic for holding up the division. Tom Aspinall is currently the interim champion and is set to defend the title against Curtis Blaydes, but he still hopes to face Jones after his return.
On the other hand, ‘Bones’ is eager to face his longtime opponent, Miocic, and put him in his place despite fans’ outcry. UFC-retired welterweight Matt Brown seems to be one of those looking forward to this rebooked fight. In an interview with MMA Fighting, Brown expressed his anticipation for the fight. He sees no reason for fans to criticize the fighters, given their accomplishments and skills.
“Things move too fast, and people want to see the next big thing straight away. They’re two legends. They both deserve to fight each other. They both deserve that big fight. We’re all going to watch it if it happens. All the haters, all the blowback people, they’re all going to f*cking watch it. We’re all going to want to watch it. That’s who they should each be fighting. That is the right fight to make. IT just happened to be taking way longer than it should be taking. It should have happened a year ago, but here we are.
“ Let the two fight, let them have their legend fight. They’ve both done as much as anybody could imagine them doing in this sport. What else do you want? Let the guys go out on a legendary fight. Let them f*cking fight. Let them make some money. Hell, buy the pay-per-view to support them so they do make more money. Let’s move on. I think it’s an awesome thing. I think it’s a great thing. F*cking two great fighters, let them f*cking fight.”
The fight has been a long time coming, and many think Miocic’s age–he is turning 42—may hinder his performance. However, Brown believes age doesn’t really matter much in the heavyweight division.
“Look, I’m 43, I know what it feels like to be 43. I feel as good as I ever have.” Brown said. “I’m just a lot bigger, but Stipe is a heavyweight so I think he’s going to be fine. How old was Randy Couture when he came back and won the title? Heavyweight is different. It’s not a speed game. It’s not as much of a reaction game…”
Despite being MIA for a year due to his injury. Brown still believes that ‘Bones’ has it in him to make a big comeback. Jones views the fight with Miocic as a chance to build his legendary resume, although some believe he should take on a more challenging opponent.
“I get it. People are complaining that Jon is not building his resume as a heavyweight.” Brown said on Jones’s decision to face Moicic. “I get Stipe’s been out for three years, but that’s not Jon’s goal. He’s stated it very clearly. He’s like, ‘I’ve already done it all.’ When he said it, you’ve got to believe what he said. I don’t remember his exact words, but it’s simply not his goal to make a run through the heavyweight division. He did it at 205. Did it for a long time. Did it very well. Now he’s doing legacy fights.
“To be fair, I would love to see him do all that. I’d love to see him do a run at heavyweight, but he doesn’t have to. He’s going to go down in history as the greatest heavyweight champion. I think he’s already stated he’s fine with that. He’s going to go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, MMA fighter of all-time. He doesn’t have to do it heavyweight.”
