Key Takeaways Regarding UFC 295 in Chaos Jon Jones Injured
- Jon Jones has suffered a torn pectoral muscle, leading to his withdrawal from UFC 295.
- Dana White expressed disappointment and concern over Jones’ injury and recovery.
- Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall will fight for the interim heavyweight title in Jones’ absence.
- The MMA fandom is very disappointed regarding the impact of Jones’ removal on UFC 295.
See More background in our article.
The world of MMA was excitedly waiting for the highly anticipated fight between two of its most dominant fighters, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. However, the news of Jon Jones suffering a torn pectoral muscle has disappointed the fans and sidelined him from the fight. The event was scheduled to take place on UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden and was expected to be one of the most thrilling matchups in recent history.
According to Marc Raimondi of ESPN, the UFC is hoping to reschedule the Jones-Miocic fight sometime in 2024. Miocic was set to return to the Octagon for the first time since losing the UFC heavyweight championship to Francis Ngannou in March 2021. The 41-year-old fighter agreed to face Jones partly because he wasn’t satisfied with how his last bout went. “There are many reasons,” Miocic said. He accepted the fight against Jones because he still enjoys competing, and his last fight at UFC 260 didn’t go as planned.
Jones, who has a record of 27-1-1, returned to the heavyweight division in March after a three-year hiatus. He won the vacant heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Jones has not lost a fight since being disqualified for illegal elbows in a bout he was dominating against Matt Hamill in December 2009. Jones is a former two-time light heavyweight champion and holds the record for 11 light heavyweight title defences. Miocic, on the other hand, has a record of 20-4-1 and is a former two-time UFC heavyweight champion.
During this episode of Ringside Report MMA, co-hosts Dave Simon and AJ D’Alesio weighed in. Simon started with the grim news of Jones’ surgery, emphasizing UFC President Dana White’s assurance that the fight would eventually occur. While Jones is keen on getting the surgery done swiftly, the recovery time could span anywhere between 8 to 12 months.
D’Alesio provided his analysis of how Jones sustained his injury. Jones overexerted himself while practicing a takedown with a sparring partner. The particular move involved Jones turning around almost 180 degrees, causing him to overreach and use one arm to grapple with a heavyweight opponent. This kind of physical exertion is often dangerous, and unfortunately, it resulted in an injury for Jones.
AJ had more concerns than just the injury sustained by Jones. He cited the case of Johnny Walker to illustrate the long-term consequences of upper body injuries on fighters. Such injuries can have lasting effects, and the recovery process may not be sufficient to restore the fighter to their previous state of health. This is particularly problematic for someone of Jones’ calibre, especially considering the challenges presented by an opponent like Stipe.
Dave was highly disappointed, especially given how close to the fight it had been. The anticipation had been building up for months, with fans eagerly waiting to witness a clash between two titans of the sport. Both fighters have their legacy; while Jones is often hailed as the “Greatest Fighter of all time,” Miocic is recognized as the “greatest heavyweight of all time.” However, with just two weeks to go, the news of the fight’s postponement was a hard pill to swallow for many.
Reflecting on Jones’ illustrious career, Simon praised him as one of the few fighters who manages to excite the audience every time he enters the octagon. Jones’ consistent dominance and ability to stay ahead of his competitors make him a true marvel. This sentiment resonates even more with the recent news of Jones training with jiu-jitsu maestro Gordon Ryan. Fans are eagerly anticipating witnessing the evolution of Jones’s fighting style, thanks to this training.
In conclusion, although the delay of this bout is disheartening, it is a testimony to the unpredictable nature of the sport. Injuries are an unfortunate aspect of the game, and while they might postpone certain events, they cannot diminish the spirit and enthusiasm that fighters and fans alike bring to the world of MMA. The hope remains that the world will finally witness this epic showdown once Jones recuperates.
Aspinall vs. Pavlovich Steps Up
In light of the unfortunate injury to Jon Jones, sidelining him from his anticipated bout against Stipe Miocic, the UFC has had to adjust the fight card. Dave and AJ discussed the newly announced co-main event.
Dave Simon highlighted the ascent of Tom Aspinall, who, despite an injury setback in a prior fight, has demonstrated impressive performance. He’s set to face Sergei Pavlovich in what promises to be a thrilling interim heavyweight championship bout. However, as Simon pointed out, the fight might not have the same allure as Jones vs. Miocic. The average fight fan may not be as familiar with Pavlovich as the renowned Jon Jones. The significance of this is further underscored by the UFC’s decision not to promote this as the new main event but rather keep it as the co-main event. Instead, the bout between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title has been elevated to the main event status.
Traditionally, heavier classes headline events when two title fights are scheduled, making this an unusual move. The light heavyweight title bout taking precedence over the interim heavyweight championship suggests the latter might not possess the drawing power the UFC desires for a main event.
Despite this, Simon and D’Alesio expressed enthusiasm for the Aspinall vs. Pavlovich matchup. Dave leaned towards Pavlovich, praising his formidable striking power. Meanwhile, AJ rooted for Aspinall, describing him as “the future” of the sport. He acknowledged the prowess of both fighters, emphasizing Aspinall’s exceptional skills despite past injuries.
Reflecting on the overall fight card, AJ lamented the absence of Jon Jones but acknowledged the UFC’s consistent ability to deliver high-calibre pay-per-view events, especially towards the year’s end. He emphasized the memorable fights from recent cards and pointed out the inherent risks in training camps, suggesting that sometimes fighters might push too hard, leading to injuries.
While the injury to Jon Jones has undoubtedly affected the anticipation for UFC 295, the UFC has managed to restructure a compelling fight card, ensuring fans still have much to look forward to.
Georges St-Pierre, a local fighter, was set to face off against his longtime rival Nick Diaz. Still, their highly anticipated bout has been delayed due to injuries sustained by both fighters.
Dave and AJ previewed Tyson Fury v. Francis NGannou, discussed Georges St-Pierre’s injury and Pavlovich v. Aspinall at UFC 295.
GSP’s injury will keep him out of the UFC Fight Pass Invitational grappling match vs. Nick Diaz, scheduled for December 14th.
Key Takeaways from the GSP Injury
- A UFC legend, Georges St-Pierre, returns to competition after an extended hiatus.
- He has signed on to compete in a grappling match against his former rival, Nick Diaz.
- The matchup with Diaz is highly anticipated due to their previous bout at UFC 158.
- St-Pierre and Diaz have suffered injuries, but the matchup is still expected to occur later, not yet announced.
Georges St-Pierre’s Return
Returning to competition after a four-year hiatus, former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is set to face off against rival Nick Diaz in a highly-anticipated grappling match.
His return to the octagon had fans speculating about which of his potential opponents would be the best match-up for St Pierre’s grappling skills. St-Pierre expressed interest in fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman, or Anderson Silva but ultimately agreed to compete against Diaz.
This matchup is fascinating due to their previous bout at UFC 158, where Diaz lost via decision. Both St-Pierre and Diaz have suffered injuries, but the fight is still expected to take place.
Anticipation for St-Pierre’s Opponent
The anticipation for Georges St-Pierre’s opponent was high as the UFC legend planned his long-awaited return to the octagon. Fans speculated on who he might face in his return, with potential opponents ranging from Khabib Nurmagomedov to Kamaru Usman and Anderson Silva.
However, St-Pierre ultimately chose to challenge his former rival, Nick Diaz, in a grappling match at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational. This matchup is highly anticipated due to their previous bout at UFC 158, where Diaz suffered a decision loss. Diaz now has the chance to avenge his loss and prove his superiority in a grappling-only rematch.
Despite both fighters having suffered injuries, the match is still expected to take place and could have a huge impact on St-Pierre’s future fights.
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