When it comes to UFC matchups, some fights just seem to stand out as more one-sided than others. And Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is shaping up to be one of those fights. Despite Stipe’s legendary status and his incredible accomplishments in the heavyweight division, I firmly believe this fight won’t be close. Jon Jones, the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, is simply too versatile, too skilled, and too dynamic for Stipe Miocic to handle.
Jon Jones: Dominance in Every Area
Jon Jones’ skill set is like nothing we’ve seen before in MMA. His ability to adapt, his fight IQ, and his understanding of strategy in the octagon are what set him apart from every other fighter. His recent performance against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 was a prime example of why Jones is in a class of his own. Coming off a long layoff and stepping up to heavyweight for the first time, Jones submitted Gane in the first round, a fighter many thought would be a real challenge for him. That victory was proof that Jon Jones’ reign at the top of the UFC is far from over.
In that fight, Jones showed that even after years away from the cage, he is still the most dangerous fighter on the planet. He can control the distance, dictate the pace, and, when the opportunity arises, finish the fight with a level of precision that few fighters can match. And if we look at the big picture, it’s clear that Jones is in a different league from most fighters, including Stipe Miocic.
Stipe Miocic: Greatness in Heavyweight, But Vulnerable
Stipe Miocic is a legend. His resume includes victories over some of the greatest heavyweights of all time, including Daniel Cormier, Junior dos Santos, and Francis Ngannou. He’s the most decorated heavyweight in UFC history, with three title defenses and numerous dominant performances. However, Stipe’s career has also been marked by some significant vulnerabilities—most notably, his two knockout losses to Daniel Cormier and Francis Ngannou. Both of those losses highlight a concerning trend: Stipe’s defense against dynamic, powerful fighters isn’t as foolproof as we once thought.
In his prime, Stipe was known for his heart, toughness, and his ability to weather the storm. But against elite fighters who can mix up their strikes and control the pace, Stipe has struggled. That’s where Jon Jones comes in.
Size and Reach Advantage: A Game-Changer
Both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic stand at 6’4″, but Jon Jones holds a significant advantage when it comes to reach and size. Jones is known for his 84-inch reach, which is one of the longest in UFC history. Stipe, by comparison, has a reach of 80 inches. That four-inch difference may not seem like much, but in a fight where distance and timing are everything, it makes a massive impact. Jones is a master of using his reach to keep his opponents at bay while landing clean shots from all angles. He can strike from range, avoid damage, and make it difficult for his opponent to close the distance.
In Stipe’s most recent losses, including his knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in their rematch, we saw how vulnerable he can be when a fighter with superior reach and striking ability is able to control the distance. Jon Jones has perfected that aspect of his game, and I believe it will be one of the key factors in this fight.
Striking: Jones is Far More Versatile
Stipe Miocic’s striking is solid—he’s a traditional boxer with power in both hands and a great counterpunching game. But when compared to Jon Jones, Stipe’s striking arsenal is relatively limited. Jones uses an incredibly diverse range of strikes—punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and spinning attacks. He can fight out of both stances and deliver strikes from any angle. Jones is also known for his ability to control the clinch, land dirty elbows, and work at close range. He can overwhelm opponents with a variety of attacks, whereas Stipe tends to rely more heavily on his power punches.
Jon Jones’ striking is simply too dynamic for Stipe to handle. If this fight stays on the feet, Jones can pick apart Stipe from a distance with jabs, kicks, and spinning techniques. Stipe’s traditional boxing style won’t be enough to keep up with the fluidity and unpredictability of Jon’s attacks.
Wrestling and Grappling: Jones Has the Clear Advantage
Both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic have wrestling backgrounds, but Jones’ wrestling is on another level. Jones is an elite wrestler with an excellent clinch game, and he’s shown throughout his career that he can take down almost anyone. In his fights with Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and others, Jones used his wrestling to control the action, and he has the ability to dictate where the fight takes place. In fact, Jon has taken down nearly every opponent he’s faced in the UFC, including world-class wrestlers like Daniel Cormier and Glover Teixeira.
Stipe Miocic, while a solid wrestler, has never shown the same level of wrestling dominance as Jones. In fact, Miocic has only scored one takedown in his last five years of competition, and his takedown defense is not as reliable as Jones’ offensive wrestling. While Stipe has the ability to defend well against lesser wrestlers, against someone as skilled as Jon Jones, I don’t think his takedown defense will hold up.
On the ground, Jones has a superior submission game as well. He’s submitted fighters like Lyoto Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, showing his versatility and ability to finish fights in different ways. Stipe, on the other hand, has never recorded a submission win in the UFC, and his submission defense has not been tested at the highest level. If this fight goes to the ground, I believe Jon Jones has the ability to control Stipe and potentially submit him, just as he has done to many fighters in the past.
Fight IQ: Jon Jones’ Biggest Advantage
One of Jon Jones’ most impressive attributes is his fight IQ. Jones is known for his ability to adapt to any situation and change tactics mid-fight. He can beat you at your own game, whether it’s striking, wrestling, or controlling the clinch. His understanding of timing, distance, and his ability to capitalize on his opponent’s weaknesses are unmatched. In fact, when Jon Jones fights, it often feels like he’s five steps ahead of his opponent at all times.
Stipe Miocic, while also a smart fighter, doesn’t have the same level of adaptability. He’s a fighter who thrives on a specific game plan, and if that plan doesn’t work, he can struggle to adjust. Against Jon Jones, whose game is always evolving, I think Stipe will have a hard time finding success.
The Only Path to Victory for Stipe
Stipe Miocic is a dangerous fighter with knockout power, and that’s really his only shot at winning this fight. If he can land a clean shot early and catch Jon Jones off guard, he could potentially get the knockout. But the chances of that happening are slim. Jon Jones has never been knocked out in his career, and his striking defense is one of the best in the sport.
Additionally, Stipe’s tendency to move forward in straight lines and hunt for headshots plays right into Jon’s hands. Jones can easily avoid these attacks with his reach, footwork, and defensive skills. Even if Stipe lands a clean shot, Jon’s chin and ability to weather storms are unrivaled.
Conclusion: Jon Jones Wins and Wins Big
There’s no doubt that Stipe Miocic is one of the best heavyweights in UFC history, but in a fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, the result is clear. Jon Jones has the superior striking, wrestling, fight IQ, and versatility to dominate this matchup. Whether the fight stays on the feet or goes to the ground, Jon has the tools to finish Stipe in a way that few others could.
I fully expect Jon Jones to win this fight, and I believe it will be a convincing victory. Whether by decision, submission, or TKO, Jon Jones will show why he is the greatest fighter of all time and why this fight wasn’t even close.
