Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back on pay-per-view (PPV) TONIGHT (Sat., Nov. 16, 2024) for its annual mega Madison Square Garden-based card, and UFC 309’s lineup is a doozy (see it here). In the primary occasion, heavyweight champ, Jon Jones, lastly returns from a torn pec to combat previous two-time champ, Stipe Miocic. In the co-main occasion, Michael Chandler makes his huge return after a long layoff (thanks, Conor!) versus previous light-weight champ, Charles Oliveira.
UFC 309 is crafted with enjoyable battles from leading to bottom, so before everything decreases from the most renowned arena worldwide, let’s checkout some random stories, bits and stats ahead of showtime …
Quack, Quack
Let’s simply get this out of the method initially: Yes, Jones versus interim champ, Tom Aspinall, would have been a better battle and most likely needs to have occurred.
It’s not occurring … possibly ever.
Is Jones ducking Aspinall? All indications indicate yes, however we’ll have a much better response after UFC 309 concludes (and settlements start).
G.O.A.T vs. G.O.A.T
While Jones vs. Miocic would have been far more amazing if they had actually battled 5 years earlier, nonetheless, it still is an amazing battle due to the fact that of their statuses. Jones is commonly considered the best combined martial arts (MMA) fighter of perpetuity, and Miocic is a fantastic heavyweight in UFC history and, some might argue (like Dana White), the very best all-time heavyweight.
They both might be coming off layoffs, Miocic’s being 4 years, there is no rejecting this is a very essential battle.
Traditions are on the line, too.
Home Game
Jones was born in Rochester, N.Y., and throughout his famous profession, he has actually never ever contended in “The Big Apple.” When MMA was legislated in New York City in 2016, Jones got suspended for one year and never ever got the possibility to complete in the most renowned arena in sports.
The good news is, “Bones” lastly gets the chance to examine MSG off of his pail list. Will he retire in his home state?
Qualified Headliner
Jones will contend in his 19th UFC centerpiece and record-holding 17th title battle– merely extraordinary.
Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Welcome Back, Mike
After 2 years, Chandler returns after unsuccessfully awaiting Conor McGregor. It seems like an eternity given that “Iron” last stepped inside the Octagon, however that’s even if he was extremely active once he made it to UFC.
He prepares to win tonight, battle the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan next year, and after that battle “The Notorious” at some time.
Takin’ ovah!
Running It Back
Chandler and Oliveira will be running it back this evening after their impressive two-round clash back at UFC 262 in 2021. Chandler practically completed Oliveira in their very first conference however wound up getting ended up in the 2nd round through technical knockout (watch highlights).