The world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, hosts UFC 309 on Saturday, November 16. The Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon “Bones” Jones puts his title on the line against the greatest UFC Heavyweight champion of all time, Stipe Miocic. Jones vs. Miocic was initially scheduled for UFC 295 on November 11, 2023. It was canceled after Jones tore his pectoral tendon.
When discussing who the greatest fighter in UFC history is, one person’s name always comes up first: Jon Jones. From 2011 to 2020, he won 14 straight title fights in the Light Heavyweight division. He had already achieved it all—the youngest UFC champion and most title defenses—but one thing remained on his radar. It was becoming a double champion.
Jones wanted to move up to the heavyweight division but didn’t want to rush into it. So he took his time, and after almost three years away from the Octagon, he returned at UFC 285. But it wasn’t the same version of Jones that we have become familiar with. He wasn’t his usual lanky, skinny self. Jones was 248 pounds and much heavier than the previous time he fought.
Yes, Jon just dominated former interim champion Ciryl Gane. But on Saturday, he is up against the most accomplished heavyweight fighter to ever wear a pair of UFC gloves. Miocic did lose his last fight to Francis Ngannou, but his resume in the UFC’s heavyweight division is head and shoulders above everyone’s.
Miocic’s accomplishments in the heavyweight division include the most title fight wins (6), the most bonuses (9), the most title defenses (4), and the most consecutive title defenses (3).
Jones’ accomplishments include the most title fight wins in the UFC (15), the longest unbeaten streak (19), the most wins in the light heavyweight division (20), and the most wins over former undisputed champions (7).
A few years ago, a fight between Jones and Miocic would have been seen as impossible. It’s been a dream matchup for many years: the two best UFC champions at the two biggest weight classes. This contest features two first-ballot Hall of Famers; it’s that simple.
Jones is the heavy favorite at -625, while Miocic is the +455 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook. Will Jones defeat the greatest UFC heavyweight champion ever, or can Miocic continue to add to his historical legacy?
The co-main event is a No. 1 contender fight for the UFC lightweight championship. Oliveira, the former champion, is trying to return to his winning ways after losing to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April. Chandler is returning to the Octagon two years after his previous fight, which he lost to Dustin Poirier.
This fight is different than the first time they faced off in the main event of UFC 262 in May 2021. At the time, Oliveira was riding an eight-fight win streak while Chandler was coming off his first fight in the UFC, where he knocked out Dan Hooker.
Although their last fight was for the vacant lightweight title, this fight could be more important to their respective careers. Oliveira recently turned 35 and needs a big victory to revive his title hopes. Although Chandler is one of the sport’s most exciting and captivating fighters, he is 2-3 in the UFC. If he drops another fight, his dreams of becoming a UFC champion will disappear at 38.
The third fight on the PPV main card features one of the fastest-rising stars in UFC history: Bo Nickal. Nickal, the former three-time Division 1 national champion and three-time Big Ten champion, has seamlessly transitioned to MMA.
While only being in the sport for three years, Nickal is 6-0 in MMA and 3-0 in the UFC. He last competed at UFC 300, submitting Cody Brundage in the second round. Now, in his fourth fight in the promotion, Nickal will face Paul Craig at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. Although Craig is his toughest test, Nickal is still a massive -1200 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Main Card starts at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
| Matchup: | Records: | Weight Class: | Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook: |
| (C) Jon Jones vs. #8 Stipe Miocic | 27-1 (21-1 UFC) vs. 20-4 (14-4 UFC) | Heavyweight | -625 vs. +455 |
| #2 Charles Oliveira vs. #7 Michael Chandler | 34-10 (22-10 UFC) vs. 23-8 (2-3 UFC) | Lightweight | -265 vs. +215 |
| Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig | 6-0 (3-0 UFC) vs. 17-8-1 (9-8-1 UFC) | Middleweight | -1200 vs. +750 |
| #9 Viviane Araujo vs. #11 Karine Silva | 12-6 (6-5 UFC) vs. 18-4 (4-0 UFC) | W Flyweight | +240 vs. -298 |
| Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop | 10-1 (1-0 UFC) vs. 14-4 (0-2 UFC) | 165 LB catchweight | -900 vs. +600 |
Prelims on ESPN+ start at 8 p.m. ET.
| Matchup: | Records: | Weight Class: | Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook: |
| #13 Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee | 19-5 (10-4 UFC) vs. 9-1 (3-0 UFC) | Bantamweight | +124 vs. -148 |
| Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders | 16-7 (12-7 UFC) vs. 16-8 (8-8 UFC) | Middleweight | -102 vs. -118 |
| Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson | 37-18 (26-17 UFC) vs. 23-7-1 (6-5-1 UFC) | Lightweight | +150 vs. -180 |
| David Onama vs. Roberto Romero | 12-2 (4-2 UFC) vs. 8-3-1 | Lightweight |
Early Prelims on ESPN+ start at 6 p.m. ET.
| Matchup: | Records: | Weight Class: | Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook: |
| #9 Marcin Tybura vs. Jhonata Diniz | 25-9 (12-8 UFC) vs. 8-0 (2-0 UFC) | Heavyweight | -155 vs. +130 |
| Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj | 7-6 (6-6 UFC) vs. 10-5 (2-3 UFC) | Welterweight | -142 vs. +120 |
| Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott | 9-4-1 (1-1 UFC) vs. 11-2 (2-0 UFC) | Welterweight | +225 vs. -278 |
| Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura | 9-4-1 (4-4 UFC) vs. 10-1 (1-1 UFC) | W Flyweight | -135 vs. +114 |
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