The main event for UFC 309 will see two of the promotion’s greatest champions clash in the world-famous Madison Square Garden as Jon Jones defends his heavyweight championship for the first time against Stipe Miocic.
The heavyweight title fight was initially scheduled to headline UFC 295 at the same venue last November, but ‘Bones’ was forced to withdraw after injuring his pec in training, which required surgery. Jones is considered by many, including Dana White, as the greatest of all time for his record-setting reign as light heavyweight champion.
During his two reigns as light heavyweight champion, ‘Bones’ defeated several former champions like Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, and Daniel Cormier. After the third successful title defense of his second reign, Jones decided to vacate the title and committed himself to getting his body acclimated to heavyweight.
Jones made his highly anticipated heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 and made quick work of him as he earned a first-round submission to win the vacant heavyweight championship. In doing so, he joined the list of legends to become a two-division champion.
Meanwhile, Miocic is considered the greatest heavyweight in UFC history and holds the record for most heavyweight title defenses that includes wins over Francis Ngannou, Daniel Cormier, and Alistair Overeem. Although his legacy is greater than Jones’ at heavyweight, many in the MMA community appear dismissive of the 42-year-old dethroning him.
Miocic last competed in 2021 when he lost his heavyweight championship following a knockout loss to Ngannou. There are plenty of questions regarding his abilities, especially considering his age and coming off a three-year layoff against a fighter of Jones’ caliber.
Although it appears Miocic is being counted out by many, Jones isn’t one of them. He noted that he is taking the former champion very seriously regardless of how others view him at this stage of his career.
While speaking to journalist Kevin Iole, ‘Bones’ mentioned that Miocic is a dangerous opponent who shouldn’t be overlooked just because of his age. Jones also believes the former champion’s fighting style will make for an interesting matchup. He said:
“I’m 37 years old and I’m not a person to be counted out, and at [age] 42, I don’t believe Stipe [Miocic] is a person to be counted out. Styles make matchups, and for the real long-term MMA fans who grew up watching Stipe and I compete, I think this fight is always going to be intriguing.”
Miocic told MMA Fighting that he isn’t fazed at all about fans counting him out and remains focused on the task at hand and that’s defeating Jones:
“I don’t listen to anything on the outside. I used to when I was younger. When I started, I was like, ‘Why would you say that? How dare you?’ I was real sensitive. I literally stopped caring…I don’t care what anyone says. I really don’t care.”
It remains to be seen whether the Ohio firefighter will be the same competitor in the octagon or if Father Time has caught up to him.
Another interesting layer to the UFC 309 main event is interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who defeated Sergei Pavlovich last November to win the title and successfully defended it this past July. Aspinall hasn’t shied away from sharing his opinions on Jones fighting Miocic instead of him and has made it clear that he wants to fight ‘Bones’.
Jones has been in an ongoing back-and-forth with Aspinall and recently threw a curveball in the Englishman’s plans by expressing interest in a super fight against reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira instead.
With that in mind, fans will definitely be watching what unfolds in the aftermath of Jones vs. Miocic at UFC 309 next Saturday.
