Jon Jones Snubs Stipe Miocic’s Handshake and Warns Him to Never Mention His Kids Again

Things got heated between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic during the faceoff at the UFC 309 pre-fight press conference on Thursday.

After exchanging verbal barbs in recent days, the fighters finally met on stage, but the tension was palpable. Miocic extended a hand in a show of respect, only for Jones to ignore the gesture as the two squared up, with UFC CEO Dana White stepping in to keep the situation from escalating.

Jones’ icy demeanor was punctuated by a pointed warning: “don’t mention my kids again,” he said, staring directly at Miocic. Although Miocic’s reply was inaudible, he seemed unfazed by the encounter, standing firm until both fighters moved apart.

The friction between the heavyweight contenders stems from comments Miocic made leading up to their bout. Jones had previously expressed irritation over being called a “b*tch” during UFC Countdown, but revealed that he took even more offense at another remark that struck a personal chord. “First scenario he said ‘my kids will never look at me like I’m an assh*le.’ That was a direct attack to me and my family and my relationship with my kids,” Jones explained. “The second attack was him calling me a b*tch. So the respect is a little bit out the window and we’ll see that on Saturday.”

For Jones, the fight has evolved beyond professional competition. “It’s very personal to me, yes,” he confirmed when asked if his mindset had shifted after Miocic’s words.

Miocic, meanwhile, seemed bemused by the uproar. “I don’t even remember saying that ‘my kids will never look at me like I’m an assh*le.’ That was no direct thing to him,” he stated. Regarding calling Jones a “b*tch,” he defended his choice, adding, “When I said bring it on, b*tch, he was pretty much calling me out, telling me he was going to beat my ass in front of a whole arena of people. Sorry for defending myself, I apologize.”

With both fighters set to face off one final time at the ceremonial weigh-ins, the stage is set for an intense showdown in the octagon for UFC 309’s main event, where the heavyweight title will be on the line.