The UFC returns to Madison Square Garden for UFC 309. Headlining the card is a fight that has been in the works for years, 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 times between 2011 and 2020, his reign disrupted by legal issues and failed drug tests. “Bones” relinquished the belt in 2020 and did not compete for three years, returning in 2023 after UFC lineal heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou left the organization.
In March 2022, he faced Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title, stopping him in the first round to become a two-division champion.
BUY: UFC 309 Tickets: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
Miocic is a firefighter when he’s not in a cage. He won the UFC heavyweight title in 2016 and has defended it four times, holding the record for 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 to Ngannou.
The two men were scheduled to face off at UFC 295, but Jones pulled out due to injury. Jones has since dealt with other legal issues, while Tom Aspinall, who won the interim heavyweight title at UFC 295, has defended his belt. The winner is expected to face Aspinall if neither withdraws.
Below is the full 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; Middleweight
- Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders; Middleweight
- Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes; Light Heavyweight
- Natalia Silva vs Viviane Araujo; Flyweight
The co-main event is Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira in a rematch. The two faced off at UFC 262 in 2021 for the UFC lightweight title. Chandler nearly finished Oliveira early, but the latter fought back and knocked Chandler out in the second round.
This is Chandler’s first fight in two years. He was set to face Conor McGregor, who hasn’t fought since 2021. After years of waiting, including an appearance on The Ultimate Fighter, the former Bellator champion who has fought multiple wars since entering the octagon has taken matters into his own hands.
Oliveira is 3-2 since his fight with Chandler and 1-2 in his last three fights. He lost to Arman Tsarukyan in April in a title eliminator. The winner of that fight should be the next contender for the UFC lightweight title.
Accomplished wrestler Bo Nickal will return to face Paul Craig. New York’s Chris Weidman will also return. The former world champion will face Eryk Anders.
UFC 309 Match Information
UFC 309 will take place at Madison Square Garden on November 16. The prelims will begin at 6 p.m. ET, while the prelims will take place at 8 p.m. ET. The main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET, with Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic expected to take to the octagon around 12:30 a.m. ET, depending on the length of the undercard bouts.
Fight fans can watch UFC 304 on ESPN+ Pay-per-view TV.
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, United States | ESPN+ |
| October 19, 2024 | Hernandez vs Pereira | UFC APEX – Las Vegas, United States | 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 | To be determined vs. To be determined | UFC APEX – Las Vegas, United States | ESPN+ |
| November 16, 2024 | UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic | Madison Square Garden—New York | ESPN+ |
