Stipe Miocic Won’t Retire After UFC 252, Says He Can Beat Jon Jones
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has his eyes set on light-heavyweight king Jon Jones after closing out his trilogy with Daniel Cormier.
Miocic will defend the gold against former two-division UFC champion Cormier in their third and final meeting at UFC 252.
There was some talk that Miocic could retire after UFC 252, but the heavyweight titan plans on fighting so long as he has fun.
“As long as I’m having fun [I’ll continue], that’s the name of the game,” Miocic told James Lynch (via Oscar Willis of The Mac Life). “I’m feeling good, I’m resting my body more as I’ve been getting older and it’s definitely helping a lot. Got some amazing coaches and we listen to each other, we talk to each other, we don’t just caveman train. We’ve done well this camp. For everything that’s been thrown at us, we’ve done well. It’s been crazy fun.”
Cormier is also reportedly retiring after UFC 252 but the title challenger hasn’t spoken much about that in recent weeks. Following the Cormier fight, Miocic wants to test himself against DC’s other rival, Jones.
“I think I’d be a great fight for him, and I think I’d walk out the winner,” Miocic said. “I know I would because it’s a different weight class and I think I’d do well. I know I’d do well.”
UFC 252 is set for Saturday, August 15 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The trilogy fight between Miocic and Cormier will serve as headliner. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
