UFC commentator and analyst Chael Sonnen believes that former light heavyweight champ Jon Jones might have some trouble in a higher weight division. Jones has threatened to make a mark at heavyweight for the better part of a decade now, and it looks like he’s finally ready to make his 265-pound debut against former heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic. Critically, Sonnen wonders if Jones will be able to impose his will against a strong, heavy opponent sixty pounds heavier than those he’s used to.
“Jon’s going to do a lot of damage to Stipe on their feet. He’s just dynamic, he’s going to kick his legs, he’s good with the range. Then there’s this whole experiment about can Jon Jones deal with somebody bigger than him that has the power to knock him out?
Chael Sonnen On The Biggest Question for Jon Jones at Heavyweight
If he’s on his feet trading with Stipe, and either can’t take him down like Daniel Cormier could not, or elects to not take him down, it does provide an opportunity for Stipe.
I do think there are going to be some punches that Jon isn’t used to, there’s going to be something new to see. A different outcome? That’s still Jon Jones, but something new and something dangerous? Yeah, Jon will tell you that.”
Stipe Miocic’s last UFC appearance was his title loss against Francis Ngannou in March 2021. Jon Jones has not fought since February 2020, when he successfully defended his light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes. Although the Jones vs Miocic fight is not yet confirmed, rumors coming from the UFC continue to fly about the fight potentially marking an interim title.
This is intensified by the current heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, being sidelined by a knee injury and his ongoing contract dispute with the UFC. Whether the fight transpired or not, it’s an interesting thought experiment, and Chael Sonnen knows exactly how it feels to stand opposite Jon Jones in the Octagon.
Sonnen actually fought Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 159. This was somewhat controversial at the time, with some fighters pointing out that Sonnen had not earned his shot at the title. Sonnen’s legendary trash talk failed to incense Jones at pre-fight press engagements, and Jon Jones used Chael Sonnen’s own dominant, wrestling-based top game to control the fight and eventually win via TKO.
Is Chael Sonnen’s analysis of a potential Jones vs Miocic fight right? Let us know in the comments.
