UFC 309: ‘Much more punching power’ - Daniel Cormier’s shock call on Jones-Miocic showdown
Daniel Cormier has fought Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, and has made a surprise call on this weekend’s UFC 309 main event.
Stipe Miocic is more powerful than Jon Jones, but Jones is far tougher than anyone realises in what should be a closer fight than the experts are suggesting.
That’s the view of former light-heavyweight and heavyweight world champion Daniel Cormier, who is the only man to fight them both.
The now retired Cormier spent a combined hour-and-a-half in the Octagon over five fights against this weekend’s UFC 309 main event fighters, winning one and losing two to Miocic, and losing twice to Jones, although the second was overturned to a no-contest.
UFC 309: JONES VS MIOCIC | Heavyweight champion and all-time great Jon Jones will defend his title against former champion Stipe Miocic | SUN 17 NOV 2PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.
And the 45-year-old has revealed the former heavyweight champion, and $4.40 underdog Miocic – who handed Cormier back-to-back defeats to end his career – has heavier hands.
“Stipe does,” he said when asked who has more power. “Stipe has more punching power.
“Jones kicks really hard and has really good knees, but in terms of punching power, Stipe Miocic is the much more powerful guy.”
It’s likely to be a similar scenario when it comes to wrestling and grappling too.
“In terms of clinching, they’re both very good,” Cormier said. “But Jon’s leverage – because he’s very tall – it’s very difficult to deal with in the clinch and in those positions.
“It’s pretty even in that regard – it’s a very even fight.
“It’s a close fight. It’s a better fight than everyone’s giving it credit for.
“I think Stipe Miocic is as dangerous as anyone that Jon Jones has fought.”
While Jones has long limbs and boasts a significant height advantage over most opponents, Miocic is just as tall as the reigning heavyweight champion.
“You look at some of the previous opponents Jon Jones has had, and the bigger guys have ultimately given him problems at times,” Cormier said. “I think Stipe possesses a lot of those same skills and abilities, and because of that, it’s going to be a little tougher (for Jones).
“But Jones is special. He’s a special fighter.”
Cormier and Jones’ beef is one of the most intense rivalries the UFC has seen in the past decade, and ‘DC’ broke down in tears in the cage when ‘Bones’ knocked him out in their light-heavyweight world title rematch in 2017.
That fight was eventually overturned to a no contest after Jones tested positive to PEDs, with Cormier reinstated as light-heavyweight champ.
It has been frosty between the pair ever since, but Cormier admits Jones is more rugged than most people think.
“Jones is tough,” he said. “People don’t give credit to Jones for being as tough as he is.
“He’s very tough. It doesn’t matter if Stipe hits him hard, he’ll just bite down on the mouthpiece and get through it.
“He’s a very gritty guy.
“People fall in love with the flashiness, but in reality it’s all rooted in substance.
“He’s very tough and durable.
“Miocic doesn’t have as many weapons as Jones, but I think the weapons that he does have are very, very good.”
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