Jon Jones dominated Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 main event, but some, like UFC legend Matt Brown, argue that Jones’ victory is less impressive given Miocic’s age and long period of inactivity prior to the fight.
Jon Jones delivered a dominant performance on Saturday night, taking out Stipe Miocic with a brutal spinning back kick to the body in the third round of UFC 309’s main event. Yet, questions linger about how much credit Jones truly deserves. After all, Miocic was returning from nearly four years of inactivity and, at 42, may not have been the same fighter who once ruled the heavyweight division.
UFC legend Matt Brown didn’t shy away from voicing his thoughts on the bout. While acknowledging Jones’ impressive display, he pointed out that Miocic wasn’t the same formidable opponent who had previously defeated fighters like Francis Ngannou and Daniel Cormier.
"As bad as he looked athletically — he looked his age," Brown remarked on The Fighter vs. The Writer. "Honestly, it seemed like he was even older than that." He noted Miocic’s stiff movements and lack of agility, suggesting that perhaps the former champion no longer possessed the fire needed for such high-level competition.
Brown went further, stating that Miocic’s performance might detract from Jones’ victory. While Jones executed an almost flawless win, Brown wasn’t particularly impressed by him beating this version of Miocic.
Miocic did manage to survive a tough opening round where Jones rained down blows from above. However, throughout the fight, Miocic struggled to mount any significant offense. His speed and reaction time were noticeably slower compared to his prime days.
"Stipe didn’t really seem like he wanted to be there," Brown commented. "Maybe it was for the challenge or maybe for the money; who knows? But his heart didn’t seem in it."
After enduring punishment in the first round, Miocic’s demeanor appeared to change dramatically. He announced his retirement shortly after the fight concluded, further fueling speculation about his mindset during the match.
Brown mused over whether he was being too harsh on Jones, pondering if perhaps Miocic had been motivated until that first punch landed. "Maybe we should give Jon more credit," he conceded. "But it felt like Stipe just wasn’t present."
The reasons behind Miocic’s lackluster performance remain speculative, with many pointing to his extended hiatus and age as likely factors. This uncertainty makes Brown reluctant to lavish too much praise on Jones’ victory.
"In terms of fight IQ, it was an insanely great performance," Brown admitted about Jones. Yet he questioned whether it was due to Jones’ superior athleticism or Miocic’s decline.
Despite the debate surrounding this particular fight, Jones continues to defend his heavyweight title successfully and is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. According to Brown, this status remains unchanged despite facing an opponent past his prime.
"Jon’s legacy is cemented," Brown asserted. "He’s the greatest of all-time—aside from those pesky performance-enhancing drug accusations."
As long as Jones stays undefeated, his place as the GOAT seems secure. And honestly? That’s a title few can argue against.
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