Jon Jones Explains Why He Refused to Shake Stipe Miocic’s Hand at UFC 309 Press Conference
At the final UFC 309 press conference, Jon Jones surprised fans by refusing to shake Stipe Miocic’s hand. The heavyweight champion, known for his calculated demeanor, later shared the reasoning behind his decision.
Jones, who defends his UFC Heavyweight Championship against Miocic this Saturday at Madison Square Garden, explained the situation during a conversation with former rival Daniel Cormier on the UFC 309 Weigh-in Show.
“I never did anything wrong to Stipe,” Jones began. “But I found a video a few months ago where he was in his living room, and someone was talking about me and my legacy. He was just like, ‘My kids will never look back and look at me as an asshole.’”
Jones said the comment struck a nerve.
“I’ll find the quote, but he said it, and I’ll never forget the way I felt that day,” Jones continued. “I thought to myself, ‘Okay, you’re another one of these fighters who hate me for no reason at all.’”
Mutual Respect Turns Sour
According to Jones, the tension didn’t end there. Miocic reportedly made another remark that sealed the champion’s decision to avoid any gestures of sportsmanship.
“When he called me a b****, I was just like, ‘Alright, it’s clear that you don’t respect me,’” Jones explained. “Which is unfortunate because I’ve never had anything but respect for Stipe.”
Miocic, a former firefighter and one of the most respected figures in MMA, is often seen as the quiet professional who avoids controversy. This incident, however, has sparked confusion among fans. Miocic himself seemed unsure of what Jones was referencing, adding another layer of intrigue to Saturday’s main event.
A Focused Mindset for Fight Night
Despite the personal tension, Jones emphasized his ability to control emotions when it matters most.
“On fight night, I’ll be able to control my emotions and focus on what has made me a legend in MMA,” Jones told Cormier.
Quotes via BJ Penn
This focus will be crucial as Jones prepares to face one of the sport’s most decorated heavyweights in front of a packed Madison Square Garden crowd. The stakes are high, with Jones defending his heavyweight title and fans eagerly anticipating whether this rivalry will end in mutual respect or remain unresolved.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
