In the world of mixed martial arts, few matchups generate as much anticipation and intrigue as the heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic set to headline UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. As fight night approaches, MMA fans and pundits alike are speculating on how this historic clash between two of the sport’s most accomplished fighters will unfold.
To gain deeper insights into the challenges Jones and Miocic will face in the Octagon, there’s no better expert to consult than former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier. Having shared the cage with both men for a combined total of over 90 minutes, Cormier possesses an unparalleled understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies.
The Versatile Striking Arsenal
In Cormier’s view, one of the key factors that could swing the fight in either direction is the diversity of the striking exchanges. Jones, widely regarded as the most well-rounded fighter in MMA history, blends an array of unorthodox techniques into his offensive repertoire.
“Jones has a nasty body kick,” Cormier explained. “He uses it to set up the head kick because the [opponent’s] elbow starts to tuck. You start to worry about the kick to the body, and then he drives it up top.”
For Miocic to neutralize Jones’ diverse striking arsenal, Cormier believes the former champion must utilize his boxing-centric style to consistently pressure Jones and dictate the range of the fight. With a height and reach advantage over Cormier, Miocic should aim to operate just inside Jones’ kicking range, where he can unleash his powerful punches while minimizing the impact of Jones’ rangy attacks.
Grappling Exchanges in the Clinch
Another critical aspect of the fight, according to Cormier, will be the grappling exchanges that occur in the clinch. While Jones quickly dispatched Ciryl Gane in his heavyweight debut, Miocic presents a different challenge with his wrestling background and ability to impose his size and strength on opponents.
“In close, [Miocic] will be able to wear on Jones. [We’ve seen] big guys give Jon Jones problems. A lot of his best weapons are at range.”
– Daniel Cormier
However, Cormier also cautions that Miocic must be wary of Jones’ unorthodox striking in the clinch, particularly his elbows and spinning attacks. In their first fight, Cormier found success landing punches as Miocic exited the clinch with his left hand low—an opening Jones could exploit with his creativity and diverse arsenal.
Adapting to Opponent Tendencies
Finally, Cormier emphasizes the importance of both fighters making mid-fight adjustments based on the openings and tendencies they observe in their opponent. In his second fight with Miocic, Cormier recalls how the former champion recognized and capitalized on a vulnerability, ultimately leading to a knockout victory.
“Stipe recognized that I lift my hands to gauge range, so then he changes to body shots,” Cormier said. “If Jon ain’t careful, reaching as he does, he can leave himself open to that body shot.”
Similarly, Jones demonstrated his ability to adapt between fights in his rematch with Cormier, varying the techniques he used to exploit the same openings he had identified in their first meeting.
As the MMA world eagerly awaits the momentous clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, Daniel Cormier’s insights underscore the intricacies and nuances that could prove decisive in this matchup of heavyweight legends. With both fighters coming off extended layoffs, questions linger about their sharpness and ability to make the necessary adjustments under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.
Will Jones’ unparalleled versatility and creativity be the difference-maker, or will Miocic’s powerful boxing and wrestling pedigree propel him to victory? The answer will be revealed on Saturday night, as these two iconic figures of the sport seek to etch their names even more indelibly into the annals of MMA history.
