NEW YORK – Jon Jones’ demeanor toward Stipe Miocic has taken a turn during UFC 309 fight week, and with the fight more than 48 hours away, it’s clear things have gotten personal.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) returns from a more than 20-month layoff Saturday when he puts his heavyweight title on the line for the first time against former two-time champion Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the main event at Madison Square Garden (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+)

After initially displaying respect toward Miocic in the months leading up to this week, reigning champ Jones said he got riled up when Miocic called him a “b*tch” – “bring it on, b*tch” were his exact words – on the UFC 309 “Countdown” show. Jones also claims Miocic said he was a poor example for his children given his history of personal missteps, and now Jones’ attitude has changed.

“Everyone likes first responders, and I actually respect men and women in the armed forces and law enforcement, things like that, so I made it a point to try to be very respectful to him,” Jones told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC 309 press conference. “There’s been two scenarios now. First scenario, he said ‘my kids will never look at me like I’m an a**hole.’ That was a direct attack at me and my family and my relationship with my kids. Second attack was him calling me a b*tch. So the respect is a little bit out the window, and we’ll see that on Saturday.”

When asked outright how things have changed, Jones said, “It’s very personal to me, yes.”

Miocic appeared dumbfounded by Jones’ comments. He said with Jones claiming he would defeat him in front of a sold-out crowd in New York and in front of the world, he told him “bring it on, b*tch.” How that made things so personal is lost on Miocic, but it also doesn’t matter to him.

“I don’t even remember saying that, ‘My kids won’t look at me like an asshole,’” Miocic said. “That was no direct thing to him. And when I said ‘bring it on, b*tch,’ pretty much he was calling me out, telling me he was gonna beat my ass in front of a whole arena of people. So, sorry for defending myself. I apologize. …

“I think every fight is personal no matter what. You’re fighting another man in the octagon. It’s always personal.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Video Details

Jon Jones dropped whatever respect he was showing towards Stipe Miocic during an icy faceoff following the UFC 309 pre-fight press conference on Thursday.

As the fighters came together on the stage, Miocic had his hand outstretched but Jones ignored him before they came nose-to-nose with UFC CEO Dana White keeping the peace between them. Jones stared down Miocic and he could be heard saying “don’t mention my kids again.”

Miocic’s response was inaudible, but he didn’t seem all that bothered by the incident as they broke apart and stood forward for a few more seconds before leaving the stage.

The dramatic shift between the main event fighters happened after Jones took offense to a couple of things that he claims Miocic said about him in the days leading up to the fight. After previously taking aim at Miocic for calling him “bitch” during UFC Countdown, Jones then revealed another comment that he believes was a direct shot at him and his family.

“Everyone likes first responders and I actually respect men and women in the armed forces and law enforcement and things like that so I made it a point to try and be very respectful to him,” Jones said. “There’s been two scenarios now.

“First scenario he said ‘my kids will never look at me like I’m an assh*le.’ That was a direct attack to me and my family and my relationship with my kids. The second attack was him calling me a bitch. So the respect is a little bit out the window and we’ll see that on Saturday.”

When asked if his approach to the fight has changed after what Miocic said, Jones said emphatically “it’s very personal to me, yes.”

In response, Miocic more or less shrugged his shoulders at Jones getting so upset by what he said, especially considering he doesn’t even remember saying it.

“I don’t even remember saying that ‘my kids will never look at me like I’m an assh*le.’ That was no direct thing to him,” Miocic said.

“When I said bring it on, bitch, he was pretty much calling me out, telling me he was going to beat my ass in front of a whole arena of people. Sorry for defending myself, I apologize.”

Jones and Miocic will face off one final time on Friday at the ceremonial weigh-ins and then meet in the octagon in the UFC 309 main event where they look to settle their beef with the heavyweight title going up for grabs.

You never know what type of answer you might get from Mike Tyson if you ask him a question, and it doesn’t matter how old you are. A kid interviewer found out in an all-too-real way this week.

The child, who appears to be no older than 13, got some on-on-one time with Tyson on Wednesday either before or after the press conference to promote his Netflix boxing match with Jake Paul. What could’ve (and even should’ve) been a fun and light interview took an unexpected dark turn when she asked Tyson about his legacy. Things got a little too deep for a kid her age!

Here’s her question: “In your return to the ring for this fight, you are setting a monumental opportunity for kids my age to see the legend Mike Tyson in the ring for the first time. What type of legacy would you like to leave behind when it’s all said and done?”

And here’s video of Tyson’s answer (via X):

pic.twitter.com/XM82qjRuAi

— FIGHT! (@combat2747) November 14, 2024

Whoever got Tyson to agree to this interview, there’s no way they expected it to go like THAT. Talking about death and dropping F-bombs in an interview with a little girl? Yikes!

Perhaps Tyson forgot in the moment that he was talking to a kid.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill believes that Charles “deserves” the chance to lead the team out at a raucous Windsor Park as a reward for his consistent form.

“For me it was an easy decision, Shea is a player since we have put in the team that has taken huge responsibility, putting an armband around him doesn’t change that,” he added.

O’Neill is confident that Charles has the qualities both on and off the pitch to thrive in the role.

“Shea has got the attributes to play at the highest level of the game and the temperament to do so and that is what you look for as a captain.

“Whether he has the armband or not he is going to be a leader on the pitch and since I have come in he has been available for every game, played every game so as a manager what more can you ask for.”

The manager also feels that Charles playing regular first team football in the Championship – on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Southampton – has only helped his game.

“The biggest benefit to Shea playing in the Championship has been his improvement in his ability without the ball. We all know his abilities with the ball, but he has really improved without the ball,” O’Neill continued.

“Shea doesn’t need coached he needs games, the more games he plays will just elevate him.”