NEW YORK – As the highly anticipated UFC 309 fight approaches, Jon Jones' attitude towards Stipe Miocic has shifted dramatically—elevating their matchup to a personal showdown.

With less than 48 hours until the clash, it’s evident that the stakes have never been higher.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) is gearing up for his long-awaited return after a grueling 20-month hiatus, putting his heavyweight championship on the line against the former two-time champion Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) at the historic Madison Square Garden, broadcast live on ESPN+.

Initially, Jones maintained a level of respect for Miocic, but recent provocative comments from the former champion have stirred something deeper.

Miocic called Jones a “b*tch” during the UFC 309 “Countdown” show—words that didn’t sit well with the reigning champion.

Furthermore, Miocic implied that Jones set a poor example for his children, given Jones' tumultuous past, which has now ignited an emotional fire in the titleholder.

"I tried to be respectful to him; I really did," Jones expressed during the UFC 309 press conference attended by MMA Junkie and various reporters.

"But after he said, ‘My kids will never look at me like I’m an a**hole,’ not only did that hit below the belt, but it was a direct jab at my family.

Then he calls me a b*tch. The respect I had for him is definitely out the window, and I can't wait to show that on Saturday."

When pressed on the escalation of feelings, Jones affirmed, “It’s very personal to me, yes.”

In a contrasting tone, Miocic seemed perplexed by Jones’ reaction.

He couldn’t recall making the comment about his kids and argued that his “bring it on, b*tch” remark was merely him defending himself against what he perceived as a challenge from Jones.

"I don’t even remember saying that,” Miocic asserted.

"That wasn’t aimed at him. When I said, ‘bring it on, b*tch,’ it was after he basically told me he was going to beat me in front of all these fans.

So sorry for defending myself. I think every fight is personal; you're in there with another man, after all.”

As fight night approaches, the atmosphere is electric, and the weight of their exchanged barbs adds a new layer of drama to an already thrilling matchup.

Fans eagerly await to see if Jon Jones can reclaim his glory in the octagon or if Stipe Miocic will seize an opportunity to reestablish himself as the heavyweight king.

To witness this gripping showdown unfold, fans can tune in to UFC 309 this Saturday—it promises to be an explosive night filled with high stakes and relentless rivalry!