### Stipe Miocic Unfazed by Critics as He Prepares for Jon Jones Showdown

Stipe Miocic is staying calm amid criticism regarding his upcoming fight against Jon Jones at UFC 309, despite a three-plus year hiatus from the sport. Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who boasts an impressive 8-1 record in the UFC with all victories coming by knockout or submission within two rounds, has been left waiting.

The fight between Miocic and Jones was initially scheduled nearly a year ago before a torn pectoral muscle forced Jones to withdraw. Miocic emphasizes that the decision to schedule his fight versus Jones rests with the UFC. "It wasn't my choice," Miocic told MMA Fighting. "It's a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn't have to. They gave it to me."

Miocic's return to the octagon, after his last bout in 2021 which ended in a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou, has led many to speculate about his chances against Jones. Despite pushing for a trilogy fight against Ngannou, the battle never materialized as Ngannou left the UFC following a torn ACL. Jones, on the other hand, has been vocal about his desire to face Miocic to further cement his legacy as the greatest fighter in the sport's history.

Miocic is unfazed by the skepticism, acknowledging that there was a time when negative comments affected him. "I don't listen to anything on the outside," Miocic said. "I used to when I was younger, when I started I was like why would you say that? How dare you? I was real sensitive. I literally stopped caring anymore. I don't care what anyone says. I really don't care."

As the fight draws near, there are persistent rumors that both Miocic and Jones might retire regardless of the outcome. While Jones has hinted at the possibility of hanging up his gloves, Miocic has remained largely silent on social media and rarely grants interviews. "I think every fight, I'm always preparing for my last one," Miocic stated. Reflecting on the potential end of his career, he added, "When I do beat him, it's going to be great. 100 percent [that would be a great exclamation point on the career]."

As fans gear up for UFC 309, the historic bout between Miocic and Jones promises to be a defining moment in both fighters' illustrious careers.