UFC 309 preview: 15 tidbits, info and storylines | Jones vs. Miocic

Final Combating Championship (UFC) is again on pay-per-view (PPV) TONIGHT (Sat., Nov. 16, 2024) for its yearly mega Madison Sq. Backyard-based card, and UFC 309’s lineup is a doozy (see it right here). In the principle occasion, heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, lastly returns from a torn pec to battle former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic. Within the co-main occasion, Michael Chandler makes his large return after a protracted layoff (thanks, Conor!) in opposition to former light-weight champion, Charles Oliveira.

UFC 309 is crafted with enjoyable fights from high to backside, so earlier than all of it goes down from probably the most iconic area on the earth, let’s checkout some random storylines, tidbits and statistics forward of showtime …

Quack, Quack

Let’s simply get this out of the best way first: Sure, Jones versus interim champion, Tom Aspinall, would have been a a lot better battle and doubtless ought to have occurred.

However, it’s not taking place … possibly ever.

Is Jones ducking Aspinall? All indicators level to sure, however we’ll have a greater reply after UFC 309 concludes (and negotiations start).

G.O.A.T vs. G.O.A.T

Whereas Jones vs. Miocic would have been rather more unbelievable if that they had fought 5 years in the past, however, it nonetheless is an superior battle due to their statuses. Jones is extensively considered the best blended martial arts (MMA) fighter of all time, and Miocic is a superb heavyweight in UFC historical past and, some might argue (like Dana White), the very best all-time heavyweight.

Though they each could also be coming off layoffs, Miocic’s being 4 years, there isn’t a denying this can be a tremendous vital battle.

Legacies are on the road, too.

Residence Sport

Jones was born in Rochester, N.Y., and all through his legendary profession, he has by no means competed in “The Large Apple.” When MMA was legalized in New York Metropolis in 2016, Jones acquired suspended for one yr and by no means acquired the prospect to compete in probably the most iconic area in sports activities.

Fortunately, “Bones” lastly will get the chance to test MSG off of his bucket record. Will he retire in his house state?

Licensed Headliner

Jones will compete in his nineteenth UFC predominant occasion and record-holding seventeenth title battle — merely unbelievable.

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Welcome Again, Mike

After two years, Chandler returns after unsuccessfully ready for Conor McGregor. It seems like an eternity since “Iron” final stepped contained in the Octagon, however that’s simply because he was extremely lively as soon as he made it to UFC.

He plans to win tonight, battle the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan subsequent yr, after which battle “The Infamous” sooner or later.

Takin’ ovah!

Operating It Again

Chandler and Oliveira will probably be working it again tonight after their epic two-round conflict again at UFC 262 in 2021. Chandler virtually completed Oliveira of their first assembly however ended up getting completed within the second spherical by way of technical knockout (watch highlights).

With how the division is correct now, the rematch makes full sense and ought to be utter chaos for so long as it lasts. Oh, and the winner would possibly punch a ticket for a light-weight title battle.

Defeated (0-3)

Chandler has competed 3 times inside Madison Sq. Backyard however is at present winless.

Chandler misplaced to Brent Primus when he was with Bellator, the one time Bellator visited “The Backyard.” Then, Chandler misplaced to Justin Gaethje in his second UFC battle, which ended up being “Struggle of the Yr,” one yr later, he misplaced to Dustin Poirier.

Will he lastly win?

Bo’s Greatest Battle

Three-time NCAA Division I nationwide champion from Penn State College, Bo Nickal, makes the stroll for his fourth battle contained in the Octagon tonight, and it will likely be in opposition to his greatest take a look at thus far, Paul Craig.

Whereas Craig has not had a lot success at Middleweight, he has wins over Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill, two of the present high Gentle Heavyweights.

Nickal is an enormous favourite once more (full UFC 309 odds right here) and can probably win, nevertheless it may get tough if the battle hits the ground.

Flyweights Combating For A Rating

High-ranked girls’s Flyweight prospect, Karine Silva, can leap into the High 10 rankings with a win over the always-durable Viviane Araujo, who’s ranked No. 8.

Silva has been excellent up to now in UFC, successful three first-round submissions and going to a choice for the primary time in her total profession final day out.

Combating Nerds Proceed To Roll

Brazilian fitness center Combating Nerds has been on an absolute roll in 2024 and is the front-runner for the fitness center of the yr, whether or not it’s chief Caio Barralho making his method into the Middleweight High 6 rankings, Jean Silva popping out of nowhere to cease Drew Dober two weeks after knocking out Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 or Carlos Prates, who simply slept Neil Magny.

Nevertheless, there may very well be an argument that the flashiest fighter in that fitness center competes tonight.

Certainly, Mauricio Ruffy competes in his second UFC battle at UFC 309 in opposition to James Llontop and has been must-watch TV his total profession. Oh, and he’s kicking off the PPV predominant card for a cause (he’ll model on Llontop).

‘Prelims’ Fast Hits

With the PPV out of the best way, listed below are some random storylines and stats for UFC 309’s “Prelims” undercard.

• Marcus McGhee — who’s undefeated (3-0) in UFC with three knockouts — fights outdoors of UFC’s Apex venue for the primary time. He’ll battle Jonathan Martinez, ranked No. 13 within the Bantamweight division.
• Former Middleweight champion, Chris Weidman, returns to his house state of New York, the place he’s 1-3 and winless (0-2) inside Madison Sq. Backyard.
• Damon Jackson makes his Light-weight debut after 23 fights within the Featherweight division, takes on Jim Miller, who makes the stroll for his forty fifth UFC battle.
• Roberto Romero makes his UFC debut on lower than one week’s discover in opposition to knockout artist David Onama. Romero holds an 8-3-1 report and fought most not too long ago for Combate International.
• Jhonata Diniz — who was speculated to battle Derrick Lewis two weeks in the past at UFC Edmonton — fights ranked Heavyweight, Marcin Tybura, as a substitute.
• Welterweights Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott may steal the “Prelims” portion of the present.
• Eduarda Moura — who missed weight twice in her first two UFC fights — will transfer as much as Flyweight in opposition to Victoria Hardy.

UFC 309 Struggle Chief

The fighter with probably the most profession fights competing at UFC 309 is Jim Miller (55).

UFC 309 Struggle Rookie

The fighter with the least quantity of profession fights competing at UFC 309 is Nickal (6).

UFC 309 Knockout King

The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession knockouts competing at UFC 309 is Miocic (14).

UFC 309 Submission Savant

The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession submissions competing at UFC 309 is Oliveira (22).

Beta Canine

In keeping with Fan Duel, UFC 309’s “greatest” underdog is Craig at +730.

LIVE! Watch UFC 309 PPV On ESPN+ Right here!

LEGACY ON THE LINE! Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns to “The Large Apple” in New York, N.Y., on Sat., Nov. 16, 2024, with the long-awaited, legacy-defining Heavyweight showdown between reigning division champion, Jon Jones, seeking to journey off into the sundown because the bonafide G.O.A.T. on the expense of former kingpin, Stipe Miocic. In UFC 309’s pay-per-view (PPV) co-headliner from inside Madison Sq. Backyard, former Light-weight champion, Charles Oliveira, will run it again with Michael Chandler, who has been sitting on the sidelines unsuccessfully ready for Conor McGregor’s ill-fated comeback. UFC 309 will even characteristic the thrilling returns of tremendous prospects Mauricio Ruffy and Bo Nickal (in separate fights) and a lot extra! UFC 309’s begin time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (Prelims card) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV predominant card).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching motion!

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