Jon Jones Reveals Reason for Shaking Stipe Miocic’s Hand After Initial Snub

UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones surprised fans at the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 309 by shaking Stipe Miocic’s hand—a major turnaround after days of tension.

Earlier this week, Jones refused to acknowledge Miocic’s handshake at an event, citing comments that Stipe made about Jones’ kids as the reason for the snub. But on Friday night, the mood shifted when Jones decided to accept Miocic’s offer of peace.

Speaking to TNT Sports‘ Caroline Pearce, Jones explained why he chose to move past the bitterness. “I felt like forgiveness is the right thing to do,” Jones shared. “I made it very clear that I was disappointed in the way that he made me feel. I know that he knows what he said, and at the end of the day, I wanted to show forgiveness.”

But don’t mistake forgiveness for a lack of intensity. Jones was quick to clarify that their fight remains deeply personal. “Oh, it’s very personal. Oh, it’s going to be very personal,” he emphasized. “At the end of the day, fighting is a personal thing. He has a massive legacy. I have a pretty great reputation as well in the octagon, and at the end of the day, he’s trying to take something away from me—my fans, my family, my coaches, my team—and I can’t let him do it, so it’s personal.”

With both fighters ready to put their legacies on the line, UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden promises an explosive showdown in the main event.

What do you think about Jon Jones forgiving Stipe Miocic before their big fight? Will this change the dynamic in the octagon, or is the rivalry too deep to affect the outcome? Share your thoughts and feedback in the comments below!