Typically, not much seems to really get Stipe Miocic fired up. The former UFC heavyweight champ tends to play it very cool, even leading up to big fights.
But reigning champion Jon Jones has made it his mission to “fire up” Miocic. The two square off this Saturday night from Madison Square Garden at UFC 309.
Read more: UFC Tonight: Full UFC 309 Card, TV Info, Start Time And Final Betting Odds
Miocic was asked to respond to a post made by Jones on social media. It indicated that he was “hiring black fighters to mimic” him but it “will not help you Stipe.”
“I keep talking about that,” Miocic said (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “He was literally telling everyone he was going to beat my ass. I’m almost positive. Did he not say that before? Sorry. Talk shit about me but whatever.”
As for the comment regarding “black fighters,” Miocic said those are just his teammates. Nothing more to it than that.
“That was bullshit,” Miocic said. “They’re like, ‘We’re not getting paid?’ Apparently, I’m hiring people too. Whatever.”
As for Miocic, he plans to just let Jones do whatever he needs to do in order to prepare for their fight. The bout was scheduled for late last year before an injury sidelined “Bones.”
“In the beginning, I was a little sensitive about it,” Miocic said. “You don’t know me, I don’t know you but why are you saying shit like that to me? But I literally stopped carrying because I realized they don’t know me, I don’t know them. They’re just pissed off about something and trying to take it out on me. I could care less honestly.”
Stipe Miocic-Jon Jones Headline UFC 309
This marks the first trip back to Madison Square Garden and New York City since UFC 295 last year. That was the card that was supposed to feature Miocic and Jones.
Along with the heavyweight main event, former champion Charles Oliveira takes on Michael Chandler. Bo Nickal returns, meeting Paul Craig in a middleweight showcase.
Rounding out the main card will be Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva and Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop. The prelims include the likes of Chris Weidman, Jim Miller, Marcin Tybura and Mickey Gall.
