Jon Jones returns to the Octagon for the first time in 20 months when he puts his heavyweight title on the line against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on Saturday in New York.
Jones (27-1 MMA) last fought in March 2023, when he won the then-vacant heavyweight title against Cyril Gane via first-round submission at UFC 285.
It was Jones’ first fight in three years after retiring from the light heavyweight division, ending a decade of title defenses against some of the sport’s former champions, including Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Mauricio Rua and Rashad Evans.
Jones said Thursday that he is not looking at Miocic (20-4 MMA) to focus on other serious contenders, such as UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira or interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
“Right now, I’m focused on Saturday,” Jones said. “Saturday is just a few days away, and that’s a big thing for me right now.”
Miocic, the former UFC heavyweight champion, recently had a long layoff from the sport. He last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021 against Francis Ngannou, the current PFL champion. Ngannou won the fight by knockout to become the UFC champion at the time, beginning a period in which he defended the belt amid failed contract negotiations and a promotion.
Miocic called out the Las Vegas nurses, suggesting he has to prove the doubters wrong again as the underdog.
“Nothing new for me,” Miocic said. “I train as hard as everyone else.”
He added, “Vegas hates me. I’ll keep it that way.”
The main event features a rematch of the UFC lightweight belt from 2021. Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA), who won the belt for three years before dropping it due to weight loss the following year, opposes Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA). ) in a non-championship game. The winner will likely remain in contention for the title going into 2025.
Chandler was originally scheduled to face Conor McGregor in June in the main event of UFC 303, but a toe injury sidelined McGregor.
UFC 309 main card (start time 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV)
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, for Jones’ UFC heavyweight title
Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler, lightweight
Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig, middleweight
Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva, women’s flyweight
Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop, catchweight
–Field Level Media
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