MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK — Jon Jones successfully defended the UFC heavyweight title against former champion Stipe Miocic in front of a passionate New York crowd.
The fight between the two was a year+ in the making, as an injury to Jones delayed the fight. It had been over 1,330 days since Stipe Miocic entered an octagon. It looked like he didn't miss a beat as he landed solid shots to the face of Jones. He absorbed several critical blows and looked somewhat loose.
Unfortunately for him, Jon Jones is Jon Jones.
Whenever Jones was in trouble, he landed vicious leg kicks. When he wasn't, he tripped Miocic with force and had a 10-8 round one, landing elbows across Miocic's face. By round three, Jones continued to punish Miocic, targeting the body. He explained in the post-fight interview that Miocic doesn't react to getting hit in the face, so he worked on the body.
One spinning kick to the liver later, Miocic was down for the count. Miocic retired soon after, ending a legendary career as an all-time heavyweight great.
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Jones defended the UFC heavyweight title for the first time since beating Ciryl Gane for the belt. He did not retire and teased super fights against Alex Pereira and interim champion Tom Aspinall. The Aspinall fight is what the fans have requested throughout fight week. Jones is open to negotiations.
"If everything goes right, maybe we'll give you guys what you want to see," Jones said.
Aspinall, who had to walk past Jones' family to get to his seat, made his presence felt. Throughout fight week, fans cheered his name when mentioned, hoping Jones, who Jon Anik announced as the "undisputed, or.... partially disputed... heavyweight champion," would fight him.
"HOW GOOD IS JONNY BONES?"@JonnyBones | #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/RFUsUppQfz
— UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024
Meanwhile, it had been over 735 days since Michael Chandler competed inside the octagon. The former Bellator champion waited years to fight Conor McGregor in a fight that never came to fruition. It turned out to be a detriment for his career, as he looked the part against Charles Oliveira in his return fight.
Oliveira used crafty offense, including hard combinations, to neutralize Chandler. "Do Bronx" brought Chandler to the floor and almost ended the fight with multiple submission attempts. To his credit, Chandler persevered, landing crisp shots of his own. However, he was the second "Iron Mike" to falter under the bright lights, as Chandler lost via unanimous decision.
Chandler looked like a man possessed in the fifth round, collecting the energy of the crowd who cheered him on all night. He fought out of multiple submission attempts and dropped him twice towards the end.
The former UFC lightweight champion in Oliveira is now 2-0 against Chandler and 2-2 in his last four fights. Chandler is now on a two-fight losing streak and 1-4 in his last four fights.
Against a unique opponent in Paul Craig, wrestling standout Bo Nickal put on a unique performance, not landing a single takedown. Nickal utilized a striking offense through the fight, which confused and upset the fans, who chanted "overrated" at the rising star. Nickal shrugged it off, claiming all the greats mix things up and don't have dominant outings whenever they step in the octagon.
Nickal is now 7-0 in MMA, earning his first decision win. Craig has now lost three straight.
Viviane Araujo took care of the rising Karine Silva, beating her via unanimous decision. The Brazilian looked sharp in the final two rounds of the fight, while Silva faltered. The win made Brazilian 2-1 in her last two fights, while Silva had her nine-fight win streak snapped.
Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop got elevated to the main card after Chris Weidman's fight against Eryk Anders got nixed. Ruffy had a striking clinic against Llontop, punishing the latter with everything he had. However, Llontop was tough as nails, taking everything in stride. At one point, Ruffy looked like he was wondering how to take his opponent out without his fists.
Ruffy landed a massive shot that put Llontop down, but it seemed like he wanted to put on a show instead of finishing it. It didn't matter, as he got a deserved decision win.
The Sporting News provided results from the entire UFC 309 fight card.
UFC 309 full card results
Main Card
- Jon Jones (c) def. Stipe Miocic via TKO for the UFC heavyweight title (4:29 into round three)
- Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
- Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Viviane Araujo def. Karine Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mauricio Ruffy def. James Llontop via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims
- Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jim Miller def. Damon Jackson via guillotine choke (2:44 into round one)
- David Onama def. Roberto Romero via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz via TKO (doctor stoppage, round two)
Early Prelims
- Ramiz Brahimaj def. Mickey Gall via KO (2:55 into round one)
- Oban Elliot def. Bassil Hafez via KO (0:40 into round three)
- Eduarda Moura def. Veronica Hardy via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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