Jon Jones made his triumphant return to the UFC octagon in March 2023, winning the heavyweight world title in dominating fashion.
It was a remarkable resurgence for the fighter many consider the greatest of all time. He had fought his entire career at the lower 205-pound weight class before bulking up for a heavyweight attempt.
The 15-year UFC veteran looks to remain active and is expected to fight again in 2023. Regarding UFC futures odds, he’s a -225 favorite to hold the UFC heavyweight title at the end of the calendar year.
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic Date
Jones is expected to fight Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title sometime in 2023. The UFC said in April that it’s looking to schedule the fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
As of mid-April, there was no official date or card for Jones vs. Miocic.
Miocic is a former UFC heavyweight champion and widely regarded as one of the best in that division’s history. Jones is currently 1-0 at heavyweight.
Jones vs. Miocic Betting Odds & Lines
The only odds available for Jones vs. Miocic is the moneyline. No prop bets, such as method of victory, are yet listed by regulated sports betting sites in the U.S.
Jones opened at around a -320 favorite (bet $320 to win $100), with Miocic at +265 (bet $100 to win $265). Oddsmakers believe Jones is a significant favorite.
Jones, 35, is younger than the 40-year-old Miocic. That’s a reason for the odds disparity.
Odds can vary based on the sportsbook and are subject to change.
Jon Jones Record in UFC
Jones is 21-1 in the UFC with one no-contest on his record. He had six MMA wins before joining the UFC, so his overall record is 27-1 with the no-contest.
Ten of his career wins came via knockout, seven by submission and 10 by decision.
Is Jon Jones the Best UFC Fighter Ever?
Jone is undeniably one of the best UFC fighters of all time. However, it’s debatable whether he’s the G.O.A.T. Arguments can be made for other fighters, including Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Demetrious Johnson.
The is no official greatest UFC fighter of all time.
Who Did Jon Jones Lose To?
The only loss on Jones’ résumé is to Matt Hamill in 2009. Jones was disqualified due to illegal 12-to-6 elbows. It was a controversial DQ, with UFC President Dana White later saying it shouldn’t be a loss on Jones’ record. Most MMA commentators don’t see it as a loss.
In other words, Jones is undefeated in the eyes of the UFC and the MMA community.
Who Was Jon Jones’ Toughest Opponent?
It’s debatable, but Daniel Cormier was probably Jone’s toughest opponent. Jones holds a 2-0 record against Cormier, but the fights were competitive. They also had a bitter rivalry in terms of trash talking.
Jones beat Cormier in a five-round decision in 2015 to defend his UFC light heavyweight world title. The two men fought again in 2017, with Jones winning the fight after a devastating head kick. It was later overturned and recorded as a no-contest due to Jones failing a drug test.
Cormier, an Olympic wrestler, had moments in both fights, and two of his three career losses were against Jones. Cormier, a UFC Hall of Famer, was Jones’ most formidable opponent.
Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou?
It’s unclear if Jones and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will ever fight in the UFC. Ngannou left the UFC due to a contract dispute, and UFC President Dana White has stated publicly that Ngannou is unlikely to ever re-sign with the promotion.
There were talks for months about a Jones vs. Ngannou bout, with the UFC ultimately going with Ciryl Gane, who Jones beat for the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023.
Is Jon Jones Going to Retire?
Jones is 35 and has had a long MMA career. He might not have many fights left.
In an April 2023 post on Twitter, Jones teased that his upcoming fight with Miocic may be his last. The retirement talk could just be a negotiating tactic, but it is clear that Jones is nearing the last stages of his career. We’d bet he has at least a few more fights left.
How cool would it be to spend my retirement fight dominating the greatest heavyweight of all time, in my home state at Madison Square Garden?
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 16, 2023
