UFC 309 brings a stacked lineup of fights to the iconic Madison Square Garden arena in New York City, including a battle for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
The main event clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has dominated fight week in The Big Apple this week, but what are the key storylines to follow through the night, and after the fights, at UFC 309? Here are our four key narratives to follow on Saturday night.
MORE: UFC 309 weigh-in results: Jon Jones a little lighter, Stipe Miocic a little heavier for heavyweight title clash
Jon Jones has made Stipe Miocic fight personal. Who will that benefit most?
Heading into fight week, it looked like the heavyweight title bout between fellow legends Jones and Miocic would play out amid an atmosphere of mutual respect. But, after Jones took issue with an off-hand comment from Miocic in the past, “Bones” has added some noticeable needle to the build-up.
Miocic, known for being a respectful, trash-talk-averse fighter, was confused, then irked, then outright angry when Jones took issue, then doubled down on his accusations, then snubbed Miocic’s offer of a handshake during their faceoff.
It means a fight that looked to be underscored with respect now has some freshly-introduced bad blood, and it seems to have lit a fire under the usually stoic Miocic. Will it work to his favor on fight night, or will Jones perform at his best now he has introduced some real animosity to proceedings?
MORE: Stipe Miocic warns Jon Jones ahead of UFC 309: ‘It’s a different ball game when it comes to heavyweight’
Will the second time be the charm for Michael Chandler against Charles Oliveira?
Michael Chandler is one of the top seven lightweights in the UFC, but he might be pound-for-pound one of the very best talkers on the roster.
It’s hard not to be engaged by the former Bellator champion, who has been more than happy to share his goals with his fans and the media ever since arriving in the UFC back in 2021.
Since then, Chandler has been must-see TV with his all gas, no brakes approach to his fights. It brought him to the brink of the undisputed UFC lightweight title when he was arguably just a punch or two away from finishing Charles Oliveira at UFC 262.
The bell saved Oliveira at the end of the first round in that fight, and “Do Bronx” came storming back to stop Chandler, capture the vacant title and break “Iron Mike’s” heart.
Now the pair are set to face off again, and Chandler has told the world that this time, it’s going to be his time. Oliveira remains one of the most dangerous men in the world at 155 pounds and he’s exuded an understated confidence all week. But Chandler has boldly predicted success on Saturday night.
It promises to be another wild encounter, but who will pick up the win?
MORE: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler 2: Will it be repeat or revenge at UFC 309?
Is Bo Nickal ready for the middleweight big guns?
Most normal MMA prospects get the chance to ease their way into the sport and build their resume in the background before hitting the big stage, but Bo Nickal is anything but normal.
The former Penn State wrestling phenom has looked outstanding since transitioning to MMA, and his performances in the Octagon have led to calls for Nickal to get higher-grade competition, despite being just six fights into his career.
Nickal is getting exactly that at UFC 309, where he’ll take on former light heavyweight contender Paul Craig, who is looking to make his ascent up the 185-pound division.
It’s a battle between an elite wrestler and a dangerous submission specialist and, while Nickal told fans at the press conference he had “a thousand ways” to win the fight, Craig responded by saying he only needed one, his famed triangle choke.
It’s a fight that will either see Nickal run through Craig and put himself within striking distance of the middleweight top 10, or Craig will pull off another remarkable victory to hand Nickal his first career loss.
MORE: Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig: Wrestling star takes on Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace at UFC 309
Tom Aspinall is UFC 309’s elephant in the room
Rarely does a fighter not involved on fight night cast a shadow over a huge championship bout, but that’s exactly how the week has planned out in New York City.
After Jon Jones told Kevin Iole that, if he wins at UFC 309, he most likely wouldn’t face Tom Aspinall, the MMA world pushed back. Prominent pundits accused Jones of ducking the Englishman, and Jones was forced to attempt to explain his stance during an at-times spiky media day session. Ultimately, he wasn’t too successful.
Then, during the pre-fight press conference, UFC president and CEO Dana White was directly asked if he wanted to see the winner of Jones vs. Miocic face Aspinall next. White’s response was emphatic.
“The winner should absolutely fight Tom.”
MORE: Jon Jones denies claims he’s ducking Tom Aspinall: ‘You can’t duck a man you were never scheduled to fight’
The New York crowd roared in agreement and chanted “Tommy! Tommy!” as they made their feelings clear about what should be next for Saturday night’s main event winner.
And, when Aspinall appeared as a guest on the official UFC 309 weigh-in show, he was asked how he felt about the situation, and whether he thought Jones was ducking him.
“Yes, I do,” he said.
““He is. He definitely is. I think that there’s just an easier path for him, and I understand it. I do understand it completely – I understand that there’s bigger fights out there for him for way less risk and way more money. I do understand it.
“But, in all honesty, do I think he’s ducking me? Absolutely.”
We might not know for certain who will leave the Octagon as the heavyweight champion. But what seems clear is he’ll be asked about a fight with Aspinall almost immediately after they’re given the belt.
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