At UFC 285 Jon “Bones” Jones, defeated Ciryl Gane to win the Heavyweight Championship, therefore, setting up a showdown with Cleveland’s own Stipe Miocic later this year, most likely in July.

Miocic is a proud Clevelander and the city has embraced him as a hero, even though UFC fighting is an indidual sport, don’t tell that to the people of Cleveland.

Jon Jones is considered the greatest UFC fighter of all-time, while Stipe, is considered the greatest heavyweight of all-time. Jones has won 15 UFC World Titles and winning his 15th, at UFC 285, makes this elite matchup possible.

Stipe has a career record of 20-4-0. He initially won the heavyweight belt in 2016 defeating Fabricio Werdum, and successfully defended the title in 3 straight fights including one against Alistair Overeem in Cleveland, Ohio. Miocic and Daniel Cormier had an epic trilogy in which Stipe won two of the three fights, which gave Miocic the credit he rightfully deserved.

Jones and Miocic are an epic matchup on name recognition alone, but Jones has not fought in 3 years, if you don’t count the 2 minutes and 4 seconds he took to dispatch Gane. On the other side, Miocic has not fought in two years since he lost the title to Francis Ngannou in March of 2021.

Even with the fact this fight maybe 3-5 years overdue, nonetheless, this matchup is one that’s spectacular. One man having his whole city in his corner because that’s how Cleveland is, they support to the fullest, makes this fight so much sweeter for Clevelanders.

-Ed in Columbus

@Ed_In_Columbus

*Photo courtesy of ESPN*