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Jon Jones is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares for his first UFC heavyweight title defense at UFC 309 against former champion Stipe Miocic. With the highly anticipated bout set for November 16 at Madison Square Garden, Jones has been sharpening his skills with some elite training partners, including Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.
Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, shared that training with Steveson has given him an edge in preparing for Miocic’s formidable wrestling and grappling skills. Steveson, an ex-WWE wrestler and Olympic wrestling standout, has been working alongside Jones at Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, their training has not been without its intense moments.
During one practice session, while defending a takedown from Steveson, Jones nearly landed a devastating flying knee that could have seriously injured the Olympic champion. Fortunately, the UFC superstar pulled back just in time to avoid knocking out Steveson, showcasing his precision and control even in such an explosive moment. Reflecting on the close call, Jones posted the clip, highlighting the intensity of his preparations.
In addition to Steveson, Jones has also enlisted Joseph Parker, a seasoned professional boxer, to help him sharpen his striking game as he gears up for Miocic. The heavyweight title bout marks Jones’ first fight since his dominant submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023, where he captured his second divisional UFC title.
Though Jones has teased that this may be his final fight, fans and analysts hope to see him face rising star and interim champion Tom Aspinall in a future unification bout. For now, Jones remains laser-focused on his clash with Miocic, aiming to further cement his legacy in the sport.
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