UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic promises to be a seismic clash on November 16, 2024, as two titans of MMA step into the iconic Madison Square Garden for what could be the defining showdown of their storied careers. The spotlight will burn brightest on the heavyweight title fight, pitting reigning champion Jon “Bones” Jones - widely hailed as the greatest to ever do it - against the relentless force of former champion Stipe Miocic, a man considered by many to be the best heavyweight in UFC history.
This isn’t just any fight; it’s a historic battle of legacies, with Jones aiming to cement his claim as the undisputed G.O.A.T., while Miocic looks to reclaim his throne and remind the world why he’s a legend in his own right. The stakes couldn’t be higher: pride, legacy, and the heavyweight title itself hang in the balance, making this one of the most anticipated matchups the UFC has ever seen.
Fans around the world know they’re about to witness history - and with both fighters bringing unparalleled skill, experience, and grit into the cage, this has all the makings of an unforgettable, career-defining war.
JON JONES: 27 - 1 - 0 , 1NC
Jon Jones may not be the unstoppable force he once was, but at 37 years old, he’s still wearing the heavyweight crown. The man who tore through the Light Heavyweight division - back when the UFC felt like a true wild west of fights - returns with the same razor-sharp fight IQ that helped him dismantle some of the most dangerous strikers the sport has ever seen.
Sure, he’s older now, perhaps a step slower, but his skill and mental game have only deepened. And as he prepares to face an even older opponent in Stipe Miocic, Jones might just have the perfect opening to lean on his veteran instincts and cage smarts. He doesn’t need to be the knockout artist of his youth to defend this title - he just needs to outwit, outlast, and, once again, prove why he’s the champion.
The stakes? A legacy-defining defense in one of the biggest fights of his career, where his sharp mind may be his deadliest weapon.
STIPE MIOCIC: 20 - 4 - 0
It’s been a staggering 1,330 days since Stipe Miocic last stepped into the Octagon. The date? March 27, 2021 - a night he’d surely rather forget, as he was floored by the sheer power of Francis Ngannou. That crushing loss came a full year after his previous fight, the trilogy against Daniel Cormier.
Now, with years of wear, a bruising last defeat, and at 42 years old, Miocic faces a daunting challenge in Jon Jones. It seems almost impossible that this matchup could end well for him; the odds are stacked high, and his age alone suggests he may be stepping in too deep this time. But Miocic is as stubborn as they come. He’s tough, gritty, and proud, and despite the odds, there’s something in him that refuses to back down.
If nothing else, I believe he’ll go the distance, pushing through every round with that unbreakable resolve, determined to prove he’s still got a fight left in him.
All signs point to Jon Jones coming out on top in this fight, but the real intrigue lies in how he’ll do it - and that all depends on which version of Stipe Miocic steps into the Octagon on Saturday night.
Then again... what if Miocic manages to connect with a heavy shot? It’s a real possibility, and if he does, we might just be rewriting the “GOAT” debate altogether. At least in the heavyweight division.
I think both fighters hold a deep respect for each other’s skill and power, so we’re unlikely to see reckless gambles. Instead, it’ll be a calculated battle, and that plays right into Jones’s hands. I’m calling it now: Jones takes the win, likely by unanimous decision, grinding down Miocic with his fight IQ and precision.
But one way or another, it’s going to be a night to remember.
