In a video posted to Instagram on Thursday, Jon Jones expressed regret to Stipe Miocic and said that he would be having surgery on Friday to treat the injury that will prevent him from competing in UFC 295.
As the featured fighter at UFC 295, Jones was expected to defend his heavyweight title against former two-time champion Miocic on November 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York. One of the biggest UFC main events of the year was expected to take place. However, Jones had to withdraw earlier this week due to a pectoral tendon tear sustained while training.
“Obviously, a very sad situation, very upset,” Jones said. “But I’ve been through a lot of things in life. Injuries are a part of being an athlete.”
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Jon Jones Apologizes To Stipe Miocic
Miocic was also kicked out of the event. The UFC added a co-main event between top heavyweight contenders Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title in place of Jones vs. Miocic. The former co-main match between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira for the vacant light heavyweight title will be the main event.
Jones stated in the video that he intended to get the procedure done in California by a physician the UFC had put him in touch with.
Bony (@jonnybones) • Instagram photos and videos
In a video posted on OnlyFans, Miocic claimed that when he learned that Jones had been out late the previous night, it felt like a kick below the belt. He continues to go for the opponent in what would be a matchup between the most successful heavyweight in promotion history, Miocic, and the finest overall fighter in UFC history, Jones.
“I want that belt back,” Miocic said. “It’s my belt. It’s going to happen.”
Miocic stated that he had no idea why he was left out of the UFC’s interim title bout. Given Miocic’s distinguished experience in the weight class, UFC CEO Dana White told reporters this week that it would be an insult for him to compete for that lesser distinction.