NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 14: Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic face off through the UFC 309 press … [+] convention at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard on November 14, 2024 in New York Metropolis. (Picture by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
The subsequent battle card on the UFC schedule takes place this Saturday, November 16, when the promotion visits Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis for UFC 309.
The UFC 309 pay-per-view card is headlined by a title battle between present UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former two-time UFC heavyweight kingpin Stipe Miocic. The night’s co-main occasion is a rematch between former UFC light-weight champion Charles Oliveira and three-time Bellator titleholder Michael Chandler. Earlier than these two scraps, UFC middleweight contender Bo Nickal seems to be to proceed his cost up the rankings in opposition to Paul Craig.
The UFC 309 PPV battle card streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.
UFC 309 Foremost Occasion: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
Jon Jones (27-1-0-1) captured the vacant UFC heavyweight crown in March 2023 with a first-round submission win over Ciryl Gane. The UFC heavyweight title was left vacant when Francis Ngannou departed the promotion as a free agent to signal with the PFL in early 2023.
The UFC initially booked Jones vs. Miocic for UFC 295. UFC CEO Dana White announced that fight in July 2023, saying on the time, “That is the battle that Jon Jones needed. It’s the battle that Stipe needed. It’s a legacy battle for each of those guys.”
Jones had two stints because the UFC gentle heavyweight champion. He had eight title defenses in his first reign as champ, and three defenses in his second run because the UFC 205-pound titleholder.
The Jones vs. Miocic battle fell aside when Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle in coaching. With Jones off the cardboard, the UFC opted to guide an interim title battle between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall won that bout, and the interim title, with a 69-second knockout.
Miocic (20-4) has not stepped into the Octagon since he misplaced the title to Ngannou by knockout in March 2021.
Miocic is a two-time UFC heavyweight champ. He’s the one fighter to defend the crown 3 times in a single run as champ. He achieved that in his first title reign. He defended the title as soon as in his second run with the belt, which ended together with his loss to Ngannou.
With Jones healed from surgical procedure on his pec and shoulder, that contest is quick approaching. Barring a final minute damage or sickness, the Jones vs. Miocic battle seems to be like it can happen as scheduled at UFC 309.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 08: Jon Jones celebrates his victory over Dominick Reyes of their gentle … [+] heavyweight championship bout through the UFC 247 occasion at Toyota Middle on February 08, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Picture by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photos)
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic – What’s At Stake?
The winner of the Jones vs. Miocic matchup may face interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall of their subsequent outing. Nevertheless, there was some speak that regardless of who leaves Madison Sq. Backyard with the title, that the champion will retire with the belt in hand.
Through the lead as much as this battle, Jones has stated he won’t face Aspinall in a title unification bout. Nevertheless, White made it clear that if Jones needs to proceed his profession with the UFC that he’ll battle Aspinall in a title unification bout ought to he depart MSG with the UFC heavyweight crown.
“He’s not preventing (UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex) Pereira,” White instructed Jim Rome when requested about Jones’ plans for the long run. “(Pereira) was a middleweight that moved as much as gentle heavyweight. He’s additionally a kickboxer who has finished very, very effectively in MMA. His wrestling isn’t even close to the extent of Jon Jones and Jon Jones is approach greater than him.
“If Jon Jones needs to battle once more after Saturday night time, he’ll battle Tom Aspinall.”
“Jon’s bizarre in how he offers with the sort of stuff,” White added. “Like he’ll present up for a battle like this, he’ll be ready mentally, bodily, and every little thing else after which when the battle’s over, he kind of goes and disappears and he needs to problem himself once more and Tom Aspinall is there. He’s doing the entire ‘he doesn’t deserve it’ … however Jon when was 23 years outdated and he grew to become the youngest champion ever, any individual gave him the chance for greatness. I believe Jon will ultimately come again and face Tom Aspinall.
“But when he decides Saturday night time that’s it, it’s over, it’s his proper to make that call. What this man has completed, no one else has even come near undertaking and he’s the best of all time. So we’ll see.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 14: Jon Jones reacts with UFC President Dana White onstage through the … [+] UFC 309 press convention at The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard on November 14, 2024 in New York Metropolis. (Picture by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
UFC 309: Jon Jones on Stipe Miocic
“I believe truly Daniel Cormier might be essentially the most expert (opponent I’ve confronted). His Olympic degree, wrestling, his soiled boxing, his boxing, However Stipe’s beat, Daniel Cormier. Stipe, he deserves to be right here, man. He can wrestle. He at all times comes, lean and in form. He has nice cardio. And he has that proper hand, you recognize, the place there’s the straight proper, overhand proper or the suitable uppercut. That is his actual weapon. That is his ticket. We’re very conscious of that, and we’re ready for that.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 14: Jon Jones reacts through the UFC 309 press convention at The … [+] Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard on November 14, 2024 in New York Metropolis. (Picture by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
UFC 309: Stipe Miocic on Jon Jones
“It is undoubtedly a unique ball sport in terms of heavyweight. You have acquired greater guys, (they) hit tougher. Lots of issues are completely different. We’ll see. I’ve some issues up my sleeve, too, identical to he does.”
“I undoubtedly watched movie on him.”
“He does throw completely different stuff at completely different occasions. But additionally he does have tendencies, like everybody else. You have simply acquired to use them.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 14: Stipe Miocic speaks through the UFC 309 press convention at The … [+] Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard on November 14, 2024 in New York Metropolis. (Picture by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Betting Odds
When the opening odds for UFC 309 have been introduced, Jones was the -298 betting favourite over Miocic, who got here in at +240. The betting traces have shifted a fantastic deal since then. Right now, Jones is the -700 favourite and Miocic is the +400 betting underdog.
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Predictions and Decide
As a result of it is a heavyweight battle, a knockout victory for both fighter is a chance. With the betting odds Miocic has, it’s not out of line to have a look at the betting worth and choose him to win by way of knockout.
Nevertheless, the betting choose for the UFC 309 fundamental occasion is Jon Jones. Until he takes Miocic frivolously and is wanting too far forward, which is a chance, Jones ought to win at Madison Sq. Backyard. The choose is Jones by way of determination.
Associated Tales
UFC 309 Fight Card: Oliveira Vs. Chandler 2 Preview, Pick, Predictions
UFC 309 Fight Card: Nickal Vs. Craig Preview, Pick, Predictions
UFC 309 Fight Card: Araujo Vs. Silva Preview, Pick, Predictions
