“How did I feel when I found out about it? Like I got hit in the balls,” Miocic said in a video posted on social media. “I woke up early in the morning to my phone vibrating – there was a text from my manager saying the fight was canceled. I couldn’t sleep anymore. I was supposed to fight Jon Jones in two weeks at UFC 295 in New York and I was looking forward to that fight, but he tore a chest muscle. Unfortunately, it happens – it’s part of the game. Could I have fought someone else? I don’t even know.”
Miocic claims he simultaneously learned of the cancellation of the fight with Jones and the organization of an interim title bout between Pavlovic and Aspinall, who will share the octagon on Nov. 11 at UFC 295 in New York City.
“I don’t know why I wasn’t picked, but it’s fine. I understand the direction they’re going to go and I’m fine with that. All the guys in the division are tough, but I wanted to fight the biggest fish, Jon Jones. Anyway, it wasn’t my choice, it was theirs. The fight got canceled and it sucks, but that’s the game. Hopefully Jon will be okay. You want to be the best, fight the best, and I want my title back. That’s my belt.”
Earlier, UFC president, Dana White, announced that Jon Jones, who will be recovering for at least eight months, will fight Stipe Miocic instead of the division’s interim champion after his recovery.