Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic will do battle this weekend at UFC 309 with he heavyweight title that champion Jones won against Ciryl Gane.
It is a bout that has been a long time in the making, with the clash originally set for UFC 295 in 2023 before Jones suffered a pectoral tear, putting him out of action for a number of months.
Now, he puts his unbeaten record on the line as he takes on veteran Miocic, 42, who in his own right has had an illustrious career in the sport.
But who will come out on top according to some of the top stars in MMA, including Tom Aspinall, Francis Ngannou and Daniel Cormier?
Mail Sport has collated a list of the pros’ predictions for the big fight at Madison Square Garden.
Jon Jones (pictured) will defend his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic this weekend
The duo will finally do battle at Madison Square Garden after Jones pulled out of fight last year
Tom Aspinall is among the stars to have given his prediction on who will come out on top
Tom Aspinall
‘I’d be looking for the knockout against Jones. I’d be trying to push him back and use his size. It’s not even like he can use the experience, they’re both as experienced as one another.
‘But I’d just be using my size on him, trying to push him back and knock him out.
‘I think that Miocic has got big knockout power in comparison to Jones. So I think he can knock him out.’
Verdict: Miocic
Paddy Pimblett
Via GiveMeSport: ‘I think Jones is going to win. I could never pick against Jones, I don’t think.
‘I’ve watched all his fights since before his dq loss to Matt Hamill. I’ve been watching him for years. I never thought he was going to lose.’
Verdict: Jones
Paddy Pimblett has backed one of his heroes, Jones, to come out on top in heavyweight bout
Derrick Lewis
Via MMA Junkie: ‘I think Jones will beat him in the first round. It’s crazy to see a lot of people just disrespect Jones like that, like he ain’t the GOAT, for real.
‘A lot of people keep throwing around these GOAT terms and this and that. Jones has been doing this for so many years at the top of the level against all these opponents, like top-ranked guys.’
Verdict: Jones
Belal Muhammad
Via MMA Crazy: ‘I think Jon Jones is going to finish him. I don’t think there’s a better heavyweight in the world right now than Jones.
‘Everything he does is just so athletic, and he’s so gifted. He’s just ruthless. Whenever he steps into that cage, he’s a different person.
‘I think Stipe is a little bit older now. He hasn’t fought in a couple of years, and I think Jones is just going to be too fast, too strong, and too quick for him.’
Verdict: Jones
Francis Ngannou
Via Shak MMA: ‘It would have to be Stipe. I fought Stipe twice and I think Stipe doesn’t have the credit he deserves. Obviously, I won the second time, still I know that I could have lost that time.
“He fought [Daniel Cormier] three times and you can see how he fought, and also this is a different weight class for Jones. This is heavyweight and I think it’s slightly different than light heavyweight.’
Verdict: Miocic
Belal Muhammad has claimed that Jones is ‘going to finish’ his opponent in the octagon
Francis Ngannou, meanwhile, is backing former rival Miocic to come out on top in New York
Cain Velasquez
‘Both fighters bring something unique to the table. It’s going to be a matchup like we’ve never seen before.
‘Jones’ agility and reach could give him an advantage. But Miocic, with his ground game and power can’t be underestimated. Both are threats in their own rights.’
Verdict: Undecided
Daniel Cormier
Via Fox Sports Australia: ‘I think it’s a very close fight and better fight than people are giving it credit for. I think Miocic is as dangerous as anyone Jones has ever fought.
‘I was just speaking with Chris Weidman who made a great point. He said, “When you look at the previous opponents Jon has had, bigger guys have ultimately given him problems”. And I think Stipe possesses those same skills and abilities.
‘I think because of that, it’s going to be a tougher fight than people think. But Jones is special. He’s a special fighter.’
Verdict: Jones
Jorje Masvidal
Via Sportsbook Review: ‘Both could use the elbows, it’s even easy for the guy in the bottom to do it as well. I’m looking forward to it. On paper, Miocic is one of the toughest fights for Jones. He’s a natural heavyweight for starters, he’s fighting a big strong guy for once.
‘The only guys that have given Jones problems are guys that have sharp boxing and that have hands, like Gustafsson and Reyes, and I think Miocic has better hands than both of those guys. He’s fluid and he’s calm when he’s in the pocket and he doesn’t get tired. Gustafsson and Reyes got tired, I don’t remember Miocic getting tired.
It’s hard to bet against Jon Jones, we’ve never seen this man ever get dropped. He can party all week and choke someone out, that’s the rockstar s*** Jon does. But now he’s fully committed.
‘He’s one of the most gifted guys, but if Stipe wins, I wouldn’t be surprised either. On paper, he’s one of the toughest guys for Jones. Stipe is the naturally bigger guy. He’s got a Cormier style, he can wrestle real good, defensive and offensive, his hands are sharp, but I’m going to lean towards Miocic with the hands, the discipline with the hands. It’s going to be the fight of the year.’
Verdict: Miocic
Daniel Cormier has suggested that it will be a close fight but backed Jones to be victorious
Israel Adesanya
Via FREESTYLEBENDER: ‘Jones looks better at heavyweight already. He’s been taking it seriously, and the way he fights… the Ciryl Gane fight was the one that made me go, “He’s the best”, Because I thought Gane was going to give him some trouble, and Ciryl was the new-age heavyweight, and Jon said, “Hold my beer”. The guy is just crafty, creative at what he does.
‘Stipe is tough. He can outwork a lot of heavyweights. We’ve seen what he’s done in the past. We’ve seen his reign as a heavyweight, knocked people out, submitted people. But this fight, I think he’s up against it. I’m going to pick Jones. First two rounds he’s going to finish him.’
Veridict: Jones
