The UFC heavyweight division is about to witness one of the most anticipated fights in its history, as Jon Jones is expected to fight Stipe Miocic at UFC 290 on July 8 in Las Vegas.
Jones, the former light heavyweight champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, made a successful debut in the heavyweight division by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round at UFC 285. Jones became the eighth fighter to win undisputed titles in two weight classes with his dominant performance.
Miocic, the former heavyweight champion and the most successful title defender in the division’s history, will face Jones next in a bid to reclaim his belt. Miocic confirmed that the fight is scheduled for UFC 290 on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, saying he offers something that Jones “hasn’t seen before” in an opponent.
The betting odds for this fight have been released, and they favor Jones heavily. Jones is a -350 favorite, which means he has a 77.8% chance of winning the fight. Miocic is a +285 underdog, which implies he has a 26% chance of pulling off the upset.
The odds have already changed significantly since opening. Jones opened as a -200 favorite and has since moved out to -350. As a result, Miocic has moved from his +170 opening line to the current +285 line. Clearly, punters were impressed by Jones’ heavyweight debut and are already backing Jones to defeat Miocic.
This fight is expected to be a blockbuster event, as both fighters have proven their skills and legacy in the sport. Jones has a record of 27-1-1, with his only loss being a controversial disqualification. He has defeated legends like Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, and Lyoto Machida. Miocic has a record of 20-4, with 15 wins by knockout. He has defeated stars like Francis Ngannou, Junior dos Santos, and Fabricio Werdum.
Who will emerge victorious in this epic clash of champions? Will Jones continue his reign of dominance in a new weight class? Will Miocic shock the world and dethrone Jones?
Make sure to visit our UFC Predictions Hub before UFC 290 to see our expert analysis and predictions before Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic on July 8. Or simply subscribe to our email newsletter below to get our picks sent straight to your inbox.