Daniel Cormier Says Jon Jones Proved at UFC 309 That He and Stipe Miocic Aren’t on the Same Level

UFC 309’s main event at Madison Square Garden was a showcase of pure dominance, as Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) retained his heavyweight title in a stunning finish over Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC). With a spinning back kick to the body that sealed the deal in Round 3, Jones once again proved why he’s a force to be reckoned with.

MMA legend Daniel Cormier didn’t hold back his analysis of the fight on his YouTube channel. “From the very start of this fight, it was very apparent that these two were not on the same level,” Cormier said. He highlighted Jones’ powerful opening move: “From Round 1, Jon Jones had a 10-8 round. He started the fight with a beautiful kick to the middle, jabs at Stipe Miocic, takes him down with what was a sick takedown.”

Jones’ relentless assault almost had Miocic out of the fight early on, with punishing ground-and-pound that set the tone for the night. By the third round, the finish was inevitable. “It looked like Stipe expected something, and he got something completely different,” Cormier added. “It was a wipeout. It really was a wipeout.”

While Cormier has had a contentious history with Jones, he put their rivalry aside to acknowledge Jones’ greatness. “This dude proves time and time again, man, how good he is, and I truly believe a lot of it is due to the hard work, the fight IQ, and the toughness, the durability that he possesses inside the octagon,” he said. “It does not matter what I feel about Jon Jones in life. I do respect him tremendously, immensely, as a fighter.”

Cormier also reflected on Jones’ legacy, noting, “He has defended this belt over three generations. So no matter what you feel about him, it’s very apparent that you have to respect him and the skills that he possesses in the octagon.”

With this victory, Jones’ record remains unparalleled, continuing his reign as UFC champion and solidifying his place in MMA history.