UFC 295 Preview: Everything You Need To Know

UFC 295 is just around the corner and there’s an exciting fight card lined up that’s guaranteed to bring plenty of excitement and unbelievable action to a sold-out crowd on Sunday 12, November at Madison Square Garden, New York.

However, the main event is without doubt, the heavyweight clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

Fight Card for UFC 295

• Jon Jones (c) vs. Stipe Miocic
• Jiří Procházka vs. Alex Pereira
• Diego Lopes vs. Pat Sabatini
• Mackenzie Dern vs. Jéssica Andrade
• Matt Frevola vs. Benoît Saint-Denis
• Matt Schnell vs. Steve Erceg
• Tabatha Ricci vs. Loopy Godinez
• Jared Gordon vs. Mark Madsen
• John Castañeda vs. Kang Kyung-ho
• Joshua Van vs. Kevin Borjas

This is a fight that many fans have been waiting for, as both fighters are considered among the best in the history of the division. Jones is the current champion and favorite according to the latest sports betting.

He’s making only his second appearance at heavyweight after dominating the light heavyweight scene for years, however, Miocic is a two-time former champion, desperate to regain the title. 

Stipe Miocic

Stipe Miocic is the most successful heavyweight champion in UFC history and holds the record for most wins in heavyweight title fights. He also boasts the longest title-defending streak in the heavyweight division and holds the record for fight-night bonus awards, the most in the UFC heavyweight division’s history.

During his two title reigns, Miocic has successfully defended his title a record four times. After defeating Fabrício Werdum at UFC 198, in May 2016 to claim the heavyweight title, Miocic went on to successfully defend against Alistair Overeem, Junior Dos Santos, and Francis Ngannou. 

He finally lost his belt to Daniel Cormier at UFC 226, before beating him in a rematch at UFC 241 and then defending his title against Daniel Cormier once again at UFC 252, in August 2020. Miocic lost his belt to Francis Ngannou in March 2021 at UFC 260 in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. He hasn’t fought since.

How Jones and Miocic matchup physically?

• Age: 36 vs 41
• Record:  27-1-0 vs 20-4-0
• Height: 6′ 4″ vs 6′ 5″
• Weight: 248.00 LB vs 234.00 LB
• Reach: 84.5 in vs 80 in
• Leg reach: 45 in vs 39 in

Jon Jones

Jon Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. He’s beaten famous fighting legends such as Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, and Alexander Gustafsson during his career.

Jones has a unique style that combines unorthodox striking, wrestling, and submissions and is known for his creativity, adaptability, and intelligence inside the cage. 

(U.F.C – Jon Jones vs Mauricio Shogun (UFC-128)

A former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Jones was also the youngest champion in UFC history when he defeated Maurício Rua at just 23 years of age.

The current heavyweight champion holds multiple light heavyweight UFC records, including the most title defenses, most wins, and longest win streak. Worryingly for Miocic, Jones has never been stopped or outscored during his entire career.

How Jones and Miocic matchup inside the cage?

• Significant Strikes: 57% vs 53%
• Takedown average (per 15 min): 1.93 vs 1.86
• KO/TKO: 37% vs 75%
• Sub: 26% vs 0%
• Dec: 37% vs 25%
• Avg Fight Time: 14:53 vs 11:11
• Knockdown Avg (per 15 min): 0.22 vs 0.52

Strengths and weaknesses

Both fighters have their strengths and weaknesses. Jones has more experience and versatility, and Miocic has more power and durability. However, Miocic is older and has more wear and tear on his body thanks to some brutal fights during his career. This fight is hard to predict, as both fighters are capable of winning by knockout or decision, but Jones is the favorite.

Jiří Procházka vs Alex Pereira

The light heavyweight belt was vacated by Jamahal Hill in July due to injury, which means Pereira, and Prochazka will be fighting for the title at UFC 295. Procházka is a former light heavyweight champion who has not fought since beating Glover Teixeira to win the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 275 in June 2022. He subsequently had to give up the belt in November after suffering a shoulder injury.

Brazilian Pereira won the middleweight title at UFC 281 after he impressively defeated Israel Adesanya with a KO. However, Adesanya returned the favor at UFC 287 to reclaim the belt.

Both fighters possess exciting styles and powerful strike capabilities, which this fight even harder to call, but Procházka is probably the favorite. Whatever happens at UFC 295, fight fans are in for yet another great night of action inside the octagon.