Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying showdown at UFC 309 this Saturday.

The two will face off at Madison Square Garden, with Jones’ heavyweight title on the line— a belt he claimed in a victory over Ciryl Gane.

Their anticipated clash, which has been delayed multiple times, has created a sense of anticipation among fight fans.

Originally scheduled for UFC 295 in 2023, it was postponed when Jones suffered a pectoral tear, setting the stage for a delayed but highly charged bout.

The Stakes: An Unbeaten Record vs. A Veteran’s Legacy

Jones, who remains largely unbeaten (with the exception of one disqualification), will step into the octagon against Miocic, a 42-year-old veteran of the sport with a legacy of his own.

The fight has been building for months, and while both fighters have shown mutual respect until now, the tension between them is palpable as the fight draws closer.

A Heated Exchange at UFC 309 Press Conference

The UFC 309 pre-fight press conference on Thursday saw thousands of fans filling the venue at Madison Square Garden.

It was during this event that things took an unexpected turn.

As the press conference came to a close and the traditional face-off took place, Jon Jones issued a direct warning to Miocic: “Don’t ever mention my kids again.”

Miocic, caught off guard, responded with confusion, saying, “I’ve never mentioned your kids.”

Jones, however, clarified his stance after the confrontation, explaining that two comments from Miocic in recent weeks had crossed a line for him.

He shared his frustration, revealing that Miocic had previously made remarks about his relationship with his children, which Jones found offensive.

Additionally, Miocic had called him a derogatory name, adding fuel to the fire.

Jones Speaks Out About Miocic’s Remarks

Jones didn’t hold back when addressing the situation.

“Everyone likes first responders, and I actually respect men and women in the armed forces and law enforcement, so I made it a point to try and be respectful to him,” he said.

However, he felt that Miocic’s remarks had gone too far, especially the comment about his kids.

“He said, ‘my kids will never look at me like I’m an a******.’ That was a direct attack on me, my family, and my relationship with my kids,” Jones continued.

He also took issue with being called a derogatory name, adding that the respect he had for Miocic was now out the window, making the upcoming fight deeply personal for him.

Miocic Tries to Downplay the Tension

In contrast, Miocic appeared less concerned about the heated exchange.

He seemed to shrug off the accusations, suggesting he didn’t even remember making the comment about Jones’ kids.

“I don’t even remember saying that ‘my kids will never look at me like I’m an a******,’” Miocic said.

“That wasn’t directed at him. When I said ‘bring it on, b****,’ it was in response to him calling me out.

He was basically saying he was going to beat my ass in front of a whole arena. Sorry for defending myself, I apologize.”

As the fighters prepare for Saturday’s bout, it’s clear that the personal tension between them has escalated, and their rivalry is far from over.

Fans will be eagerly watching to see who emerges victorious in this highly anticipated match.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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