UFC 309: A Night of Legends—Jones vs. Miocic
Get ready fight fans, because UFC 309 isn’t just another event. It’s history in the making! On Saturday night, two of the biggest names the UFC has ever seen, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, are going head-to-head in a clash of absolute giants. You’ll want to buckle in, as we give you all the exciting updates, fight results, play-by-play highlights, and, of course, everything you need to know about how you can catch this unforgettable evening of punches, kicks, and knockouts.
Jones vs. Miocic: The Heavyweight Matchup of the Year
Each time Jon Jones steps into the octagon, people can’t help but stay glued to their screens. Known as one of the most dominant athletes in UFC history, Jones (27-1, 1 NC) has been mostly flawless in his MMA career. With a knack for winning and his unparalleled fight IQ, he’s widely regarded as one of the best—if not the best—mixed martial artists to ever grace the sport.
And then there’s Stipe Miocic (20-4), the former UFC heavyweight champion and someone who’s often been dubbed “the baddest man on the planet.” Miocic has seen his fair share of wars in the cage and has cemented a legacy as a heavyweight icon by having more successful heavyweight title defenses than anyone in UFC history.
In this battle of legends, the stakes have never been higher. They vie not just for a win, but for all-time greatness. The winner could likely etch his name in stone as the greatest fighter in UFC history. Both athletes are hungry, and both have something to prove. As fight fans around the globe eagerly wait for the main event, each fighter is preparing to bring everything they’ve got, and then some. Miss this? No way.
What Time Does UFC 309 Kickoff?
For those tuning in from the United States, keep those snacks handy, as the action will begin earlier in the day. Here’s a full breakdown of when the fights will start:
- UFC Early Prelims: 6 p.m. ET
- UFC Prelims: 8 p.m. ET
- Main Card: 10 p.m. ET
With the high-octane contest between Jones and Miocic headlining the show, expect them to step into the octagon around midnight ET. Now, that’s prime-time viewing, ready to cap off your night of amazing MMA action.
How to Watch UFC 309
If you’re not able to make it to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas—don’t worry! You can catch every hard-hitting moment on ESPN+ pay-per-view. For international fans, other broadcasters will carry the event, but make sure to check local listings to confirm availability.
Main Card: Who Else is Fighting?
Aside from the heavyweight clash between Jones and Miocic, UFC 309 is stacked with some incredible matchups. Here’s a look at the most talked-about fights on the night:
- Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic – Heavyweight Championship
- Sergey Pavlovich vs. Tom Aspinall – Heavyweight Bout
- Jessica Andrade vs. Mackenzie Dern – Women’s Strawweight Bout
- Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson – Welterweight Bout
- Guram Kutateladze vs. Nasrat Haqparast – Lightweight Bout
Each one of these matchups has fans buzzing, and for good reason. With knockout artists, submission specialists, and fighters coming right into their prime, UFC 309 is looking like it could be one of the most exciting events of the year.
Jones vs. Miocic: Breaking Down Their Strengths
This isn’t just any fight; it’s an epic contest between two titans. So, what do these fighters bring to the table? Let’s break down some core aspects of each competitor that could decide the fight:
Jon Jones
- Reach Advantage: Jon “Bones” Jones has an incredible 84-inch reach, giving him a unique edge in stand-up striking exchanges. Whether he’s sending out long jabs or sneaky elbows, his reach game is lethal.
- Fight IQ: Jones has shown time and time again that he can adapt to any situation in the octagon. He’s a master at identifying opponent weaknesses and quickly adjusting.
- Experience at the Top: With over 15 championship fights under his belt, Jones knows what it’s like to go five rounds in high-pressure situations. This isn’t new territory for him.
Stipe Miocic
- Power in His Hands: As mentioned before, Stipe is a knockout artist. When he connects clean, he can put the lights out on any opponent, and his knockouts over guys like Daniel Cormier prove that.
- Cardio for Days: One of the most surprising things about Miocic, especially for a heavyweight, is his endurance. He can go deep into fights and still have enough lung power to pressure his opponents.
- Wrestling Prowess: Don’t sleep on Stipe’s wrestling game. He was an NCAA Division I wrestler, and we’ve seen him use his grappling skills to control his opponents in dominating fashion.
With all that in mind, the biggest question will be: how does Jon Jones handle the power of Miocic and how will Stipe handle the unpredictability and ranginess of Jones?
Underdogs Who Could Surprise
While much of the spotlight will be on the Jones-Miocic face-off, there are a handful of underrated names fighting Saturday night who could shock everyone. Let’s look at a couple:
- Shavkat Rakhmonov: In the welterweight division, Rakhmonov is a rising star who brings an unblemished record into his fight with veteran Stephen Thompson. He’s undefeated in the UFC and has the tools to give the more experienced Thompson big problems.
- Jessica Andrade: Coming off of a couple of losses, Andrade is a former champion who’s looking to get back into title contention. Her meeting with Mackenzie Dern is a fan-favorite scrap on this card. Don’t be surprised if Andrade comes out guns blazing and makes a statement.
If you’re betting this weekend or just following the rides of these fighters, card underdogs have a habit of turning things upside down. It’s part of the magic of UFC!
Past UFC History between Jones and Miocic
It’s actually pretty fascinating that Jones and Miocic haven’t already fought each other. For years, fans have speculated what a Jones-Miocic showdown would look like, but each athlete has been on separate hemispheres when it comes to career trajectory.
Now, with Jones holding the heavyweight belt and Miocic eager to reclaim gold after his trilogy with Daniel Cormier, the stars have finally aligned. There’s an aura of inevitability about this superfight, something that fanatics of both fighters have long awaited. Will it live up to the hype?
What’s at Stake for the Winner?
Simply put: everything.
If Jon Jones pulls off another victory, not only does he solidify himself as the top dog in the heavyweight division, but he further builds his GOAT (Greatest of All Time) legacy. There’s already chatter about how one more title defense could push Jones beyond debate as the greatest martial artist to have ever stepped foot in the octagon.
Meanwhile, if Miocic can defy the odds and hand Jones one of the rarest things in Jon’s career—a loss—it would give Miocic an incredible claim to calling himself the greatest UFC heavyweight ever…possibly even the greatest fighter, period. This is the kind of fight that moves careers into the upper echelon of sports history, like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, or Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.
Final Thoughts: Expect the Unexpected
More than any other sport, MMA has a way of shocking everyone. The unexpected can—and often does—happen. With both Jones and Miocic being at the absolute top of their game, fans should expect surprises, technical brilliance, and perhaps a dramatic finish.
Will Jones ride on, claiming yet another victory in his remarkable career? Or, will the experienced Miocic turn back the clock and punish Jones like no one else has ever done before?
Tune in on fight night because we’re guaranteed a show full of fireworks. Enjoy the ride!
Originally Written by: Nick Schwartz
