Stipe Miocic remains unfazed by Jon Jones‘ heated comments ahead of their UFC 309 fight, choosing to ignore the trash talk and focus on the match instead.
Don’t expect Stipe Miocic to get drawn into a war of words with Jon Jones. The UFC 309 main event is just around the corner, and things have taken a peculiar twist. After the airing of UFC Countdown, Miocic’s comment—“bring it on, bitch”—ruffled some feathers. It seems the reigning heavyweight champ, Jon Jones, wasn’t too thrilled.
Jones fired back on social media. “Hiring black fighters to mimic me will not help you, Stipe,” he posted. “And you shouldn’t have called me a bitch, the disrespect wasn’t necessary. Let’s play.” That escalated quickly.
Miocic, however, remains unbothered. He’s puzzled by Jones’ reaction but isn’t dwelling on it. During UFC 309 media day, he seemed amused by the whole situation. “He was literally telling everyone he was going to beat my ass,” Miocic chuckled. “Sorry. Talk shit about me but whatever.”
Jones’ accusation about hiring Black fighters? That got under Miocic’s skin a bit. “That was bullshit because they’re my teammates,” Miocic clarified. “Apparently, I’m hiring people, too. Whatever.” A touch of sarcasm there.
Jones has a history of feisty rivalries—remember Daniel Cormier? Or Rashad Evans? Maybe this is all part of his strategy to hype up the fight or boost pay-per-view sales. But Miocic? He’s not biting.
“Maybe [that’s what he needs to get motivated], maybe not,” Miocic shrugged. “It’s funny. It’s just comical.” Indeed, Miocic finds humor where others might find offense.
In the past, such comments might’ve gotten under his skin. But now? Not so much. Early in his career, he admits he was sensitive to criticism. But something changed along the way.
“I would get terrible [direct messages] and stuff,” Miocic recalled with a hint of disbelief. “But I literally just stopped caring.” A revelation that transformed his outlook on life and fighting.
Hate still comes his way—DMs filled with vitriol are nothing new for him. But these days? He just shrugs it off and moves on. “Whatever,” he says with a nonchalant air.
In the end, Miocic has learned to let go of the noise and focus on what truly matters: the fight itself. And maybe that’s why he’s one of the best in the game today.