The UFC 309 card is out with the fighters headlining the card being the match that many UFC fans have been waiting for the past few years. Jon Jones will be defending the UFC heavyweight title against the former UFC heavyweight champion and according to many pundits the greatest of all time (GOAT). In a Facebook post by ESPN MMA and the UFC, the announcement read in part, “IT’S HAPPENING! 
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight championship of the world in Madison Square Garden! #UFC309“
The ESPN MMA, had captured the announcement earlier stating, “Jon “Bones” Jones will face Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title at #UFC309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden, UFC announced.”
The fight which was previously rescheduled after Jon Jones had an injury prior to UFC 295. Jon Jones has held the UFC light heavyweight title at various points between 2011 and 2020, with his reign disrupted because of legal and failed drug tests. “Bones” as he is called across the MMA vacated the belt in 2020 and failed to compete for three years, returning in 2023 after Francis Ngannou, the lineal UFC heavyweight champion left the organization.
In March 2023 he faced Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title, stopping him in the opening round to become a two-division champion.
Stipe Miocic Is a Full-time Firefighter When not in the Cage
According to TMZ, Stipe works as a fire fighter while training for Jon Jones fight.
Stipe Miocic won the UFC heavyweight title in 2016 and defended the title four times, holding the record for the most successful title defenses in the division. The 41 year old traded wins and losses with Daniel Cormier for the belt between 2018 and 2020. Stipe would later lose the belt to March 2021 against Francis Ngannou.
Jon Jones Called out Stipe After Beating Ciryl Gane
In what appear like a mismatch after Jon Jones stopped Ciryl Gane in the very fist round, in his post match interview Jon Jones said, “Y’all want to see me beat up Stipe?” Stipe Miocic was then seen on the screen stating, “” To be the best you gotta beat the best “
The two were supposed to fight at UFC 295 but Jones pulled out due to an injury sustained during training. Since then, Jones has dealt with additional legal issues, while Tom Aspinall, who won the interim heavyweight at UFC 295, has defended the belt. The winner of the bout is expected to face Aspinall if neither retires.
The UFC 309 fight card is as follows.
- Jon Jones (c) vs. Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title
- Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira 2; Lightweights
- Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig; Middleweights
- Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders; Middleweights
- Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes; Light Heavyweights
- Natalia Silva vs. Viviane Araujo; Flyweights
The co-main event will be the Michael Chandler vs Charles Oliveira. The two last fought at UFC 262 in 2021 for the UFC lightweight title. In the initial rounds of the fight, Chandler almost finished Oliveira, who later stormed back and took Chandler out in the second round.
This will be the first fight for Chandler in over two years as he was supposed to face Conor McGregor, who has not competed since 2021.
UFC 309 is scheduled for November 16 in New York City in Madison Square Garden with the main card starting at 10 p.m ET with Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic making their way to the octagon around 12:30 a.m ET depending on how long the undercard fights last. Fights Fans can watch on ESPN+ ($79.99 PPV fee plus $10.99/month membership) and in the UK: TNT Sports (￡3.99/month or ￡39.99/year via discovery+ and on UFC fight Pass.
