The UFC returns to Madison Square Garden for UFC 309. Headlining the card is a match years in the making, with Jon Jones defending the UFC heavyweight title against former champion Stipe Miocic.
A national wrestling champion, Jones held the UFC light heavyweight title at various points between 2011 and 2020, with his reign disrupted due to legal issues and failed drug tests. “Bones” vacated the belt in 2020 and didn’t compete for three years, returning in 2023 after Francis Ngannou, the lineal UFC heavyweight champion, left the organization.
In March 2022, he faced Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title, stopping him in the opening round to become a two-division champion.
BUY: Tickets to UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
Miocic is a firefighter when he isn’t in a cage. He won the UFC heavyweight title in 2016 and defended it four times, holding the record for the most successful title defenses in the division. The 42-year-old traded wins and losses with Daniel Cormier for the belt from 2018 to 2020. Miocic last fought in March 2021, losing the belt against Ngannou.
The two were supposed to fight at UFC 295, but Jones pulled out due to an injury. Since then, Jones has dealt with additional legal issues, while Tom Aspinall, who won the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295, has defended the belt. The winner is expected to face Aspinall if neither retires.
Below is the complete fight card for UFC 309.
UFC 309 fight card
- 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 is Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira in a rematch. The two fought at UFC 262 in 2021 for the UFC lightweight title. Chandler almost finished Oliveira early, but the latter stormed back and took Chandler out in round two.
It is the first fight for Chandler in two years. He was supposed to face Conor McGregor, who hasn’t competed since 2021. After years of waiting, including a run on The Ultimate Fighter, the former Bellator champion who has competed in multiple wars since entering the octagon took matters into his own hands.
Oliveira is 3-2 since the Chandler fight and 1-2 in his last three. He lost against Arman Tsarukyan in April in a title eliminator bout. The winner of this fight is expected to be the next contender for the UFC lightweight title.
Accomplished wrestler Bo Nickal returns, facing Paul Craig. Also returning to action is New York’s Chris Weidman. The former world champion faces Eryk Anders.
UFC 309 tune-in info
UFC 309 will be Madison Square Garden on November 16. The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, while the prelims are at 8 p.m. ET. The main card starts at 10 p.m. ET, and Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic should make their way to the octagon around 12:30 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
Fight fans can watch UFC 304 on ESPN+ PPV.
WATCH: UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, exclusively on ESPN+
Upcoming UFC TV schedule
| Date | Event | Location | How to watch |
| September 28, 2024 | Moicano vs. Saint-Denis | Accor Arena – Paris, France | ESPN+ |
| October 5, 2024 | UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree | Delta Center – Salt Lake City, Utah | ESPN+ |
| October 12, 2024 | Royval vs. Taira | UFC APEX – Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| October 19, 2024 | Hernandez vs. Pereira | UFC APEX – Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| October 26, 2024 | UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway | Etihad Arena – Abu Dhabi | ESPN+ |
| November 2, 2024 | Moreno vs. Albazi | Rogers Place – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | ESPN+ |
| November 9, 2024 | TBA vs. TBA | UFC APEX – Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |
| November 16, 2024 | UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic | Madison Square Garden — New York | ESPN+ |
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