At UFC 309’s prominent event in New York, Jon Jones made an impressive comeback, exhibiting his sheer power and precision to earn a technical knock out against Stipe Miocic. The fight was declared completed 4 minutes 29 seconds into the fierce third round, featuring a definitive, spinning back kick by Jones. The 37-year-old defended his heavyweight title with a fury, reaffirming his dominating presence in the octagon. This was Jones’s first bout since March 2023, after a hiatus owing to a pectoral surgery that delayed his face-off with Miocic originally slated for UFC 295.
Following the fight, Jones, who now enjoys a record of 28-1-0, saluted Miocic for his resilience and tenacity in the octagon. He praised his adversary, acknowledging his remarkable strength and stamina, ‘Miocic is indeed a formidable competitor. His durability and toughness are commendable,’ Jones shared. Notably, Jones left no room for weaknesses, adroitly countering all offensive moves from Miocic.
Stipe Miocic (20-5-0), the veteran from Euclid currently residing in Independence, concluded his professional martial arts career after the bout. Confirming to reporters regarding his decision, Miocic stated, ‘I have chosen to retire.’ Miocic, a two-time heavyweight champion, had been a vital part of the UFC landscape since 2011 and had not participated in any professional fights since 2021 before this recent challenge.
In stark contrast, Jones expressed his intention of continuing his fight career at the heavyweight level, ‘I am not considering retirement just yet.’ He noted further engagements with UFC’s top brass, including CEO Dana White and Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell. Aiming for future fights, Jones added, ‘We will put forth our conditions and if all goes well, the fans may see more of what they aspire.’
In the co-main event of the night, Lightweights Michael Chandler (23-9-0) and Charles Oliveira (35-10-0) went head to head in a championship rematch from three years prior. Oliveira emerged victorious, seizing control for the majority of the five rounds, with numerous successful submission attempts and unconventional strikes. The fifth round nearly witnessed an upturn for Chandler as he momentarily downed Oliveira with a potent hook, only to face a swift recovery by the latter.
Despite an initial setback, Chandler couldn’t capitalize on his advantage as Oliveira rose to the occasion, reversing the situation to gain the upper hand. Oliveira’s skillful maneuvers won him the fight according to the scorecards which read 49-46, 49-46, 49-45, effectively marking his win. Although Chandler lost four out of his last five fights, he stayed resilient, extending a challenge to Conor McGregor in his post-match address.
Next up were the Middleweights – undefeated Bo Nickal (7-0-0) and the experienced Paul Craig (17-9-1). Nickal secured the win courtesy of unanimous decision from the judges, with each scorecard marking 30-27 in his favor. The victory further solidified Nickal’s reputation as a potential contender in the division for the coming year, 2025.
In the women’s flyweight encounter, Viviane Araujo (13-6-0) successfully ended her losing phase by overcoming a strong challenge from Karine Silva (18-5-0). Araujo’s superior command over time and effective clinch work ultimately dictated the pace of the fight, giving her an edge over her opponent and resulting in a hard-fought victory.
The main event was kickstarted with a performance exemplifying sheer will and power. Mauricio Ruffy (11-1-0) showcased his prowess, winning the catchweight fight by unanimous decision against James Llontop (14-5-0). The crowd was thrilled as both fighters put up a good show, exhibiting their skillsets but in the end, it was Ruffy who came out triumphant in the clash.