Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith sees UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as the “best on the planet” and can’t picture anybody getting the better of him, Tom Aspinall included.
Smith provided his reaction to Jones’ latest performance — a TKO victory over Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 — on a recent episode of First Take alongside Shannon Sharpe on ESPN.
No sooner had Jones had his hand raised in “The Big Apple,” talk turned to a much-awaited title unification fight with interim champ Aspinall, who was cageside at MSG after weighing in as backup for the main event last Friday.
But while Jones’ repeated dismissal of the Brit has led some to suggest he fears defeat, Smith isn’t entertaining that as a possibility.
“I think he’s the best on the planet. He’s the greatest in MMA that I’ve ever seen,” Smith said. “I’ve always said to everybody, you’ve got to show me to make me believe that somebody’s going to beat Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, ’cause I just don’t see it happening. He’s just too elite.”
When a clip of his remarks was posted on X, Aspinall’s fellow countryman, ex-UFC title challenger Darren Till, made his thoughts on Smith clear…
Stephen A Smith has the IQ of a mole. Please ban this man from ever speaking about anything ever again.
“Stephen A Smith has the IQ of a mole,” Till wrote. “Please ban this man from ever speaking about anything ever again.”
Smith has previously caught the ire of the MMA community, most notably when he suggested Donald Cerrone “didn’t want to be there” when he was blitzed by Conor McGregor in 40 seconds at UFC 246.
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor gave some surprising props to Michael Chandler a couple of days on from his defeat this past weekend.
Chandler made the walk for the first time in two years at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, bringing an end to his long wait to share the cage with McGregor by running it back with ex-lightweight kingpin Charles Oliveira instead.
“Iron” had previously come inches away from defeating “Do Bronx” and becoming a UFC titleholder in just his second Octagon outing. A miraculous comeback from the Brazilian on that occasion, however, spoiled Chandler’s plans.
And in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden, Oliveira did so once again by establishing himself as the likely next in line for either Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan.
After remaining silent on fight night, McGregor finally gave his reaction to Chandler’s display in a now-deleted X post Monday night.
“Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding, good fight,” McGregor wrote. “Mad little fellow is Michael. I like em’!”
McGregor’s comment was without a response to Chandler’s post-fight callout. Despite his previously failed wait, “Iron” once again had the Dubliner’s name on his lips as he pursues the lucrative showdown opposite his fellow TUF 31 coach in 2025.
Former UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva is heading back down to 125 pounds.
Bueno Silva (10-4-1, 1 NC) went 2-2-1 in her first stint as a flyweight in the UFC, defeating Gillian Robertson and Mara Romero Borella but suffering defeats to Maryna Moroz and Manon Fiorot. She subsequently shifted to 135 pounds and enjoyed strong success, going undefeated all the way to a shot at the then-vacant title at UFC 297 this past January.
But after missing out on achieving champion status against Raquel Pennington, “Sheetara” fell to her first UFC losing skid when a severe cut was deemed too deep for her to continue against Macy Chiasson at UFC 303 during International Fight Week this past June.
That news was first reported by Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight, who also revealed that Bueno Silva will immediately shoot for the 125-pound rankings against Jasmine Jasudavicius (12-3).
Jasudavicius has risen to #13 on the flyweight ladder courtesy of three straight wins since a defeat to Tracy Cortez in September 2023. The Canadian defeated Fatima Kline by decision in-between two home wins over Priscila Cachoeira and Ariane Lipski da Silva this year.
With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1, 2025 are as follows:
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz (middleweight)
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (women’s flyweight)
UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal has continued to defend his performance on Saturday night — this time against what he’s branded “disappointing” commentary.
Nickal extended his perfect professional MMA and UFC records on the main card of this past weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, getting past his toughest test to date in the form of Paul Craig.
But the American wrestling specialist wasn’t tested in the Scotsman’s domain, with the three-round affair playing out entirely on the feet. That led to a less than exciting contest, which the crowd inside Madison Square Garden let the two fighters know.
Boos rained down following the fight and throughout Nickal’s Octagon interview, and they were only amplified when the undefeated 185lber dismissed the fans’ complaints and expressed joy at how he performed.
As it turns out, the paying audience weren’t the only ones with an opinion that Nickal thoroughly disagreed with…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWBveUtLBMo
During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Nickal took issue with the cageside commentators after watching back his victory over “Bearjew” in New York City.
Nickal appeared particularly frustrated by Daniel Cormier apparently writing off his chances against Khamzat Chimaev based off that performance.
“The commentary and just hearing the way that they were looking at the fight, it made me feel like they didn’t know what was going on as much,” Nickal said. “Because anybody that I’ve talked to that are people that I trust and shoot straight with me were like, ‘Dude, you shut that guy out. Domination. It was a flawless fight.’ Then to hear ‘DC’ say things like, ‘Oh, he’s not ready for Khamzat [Chimaev]’ — I think he was trying to be respectful but also maybe set me down a peg. It was just weird to hear.
“It was a little disappointing to hear those comments from people that I respect a lot. What was going on in these guys’ heads? It just makes me feel like they don’t know what was happening,” Nickal continued. “It’s confusing because I’m like, ‘Wait, what? How do you get that from that?’ I didn’t even really get touched. It’s so crazy.”
Cormier wasn’t the only one sharing that sentiment — and getting pushback from Nickal soon after.
Former welterweight title challenger and middleweight contender Darren Till suggested the same in a more colorful fashion on social media. The decorated wrestler gave a short and sweet reply, attaching a GIF of “The Gorilla’s” knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal in 2019.
As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.
And in the aftermath of UFC 309, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.
Men’s Pound-For-Pound: Dana White won’t be pleased looking at the updated P4P pecking order. Jon Jones’ successful heavyweight title defense at Madison Square Garden wasn’t enough to convince the panel that he should have the crown, with that remaining in Islam Makhachev’s possession. “Bones” has, however, climbed above Alex Pereira (#3) into the #2 position.
Further down, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (#15) has returned to the list as a result of his triumph over Michael Chandler on Saturday night. That’s left ex-middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya without a number entirely.
Women’s Flyweight: There was just one change at 125 pounds, with Karine Silva’s defeat to Viviane Araújo at UFC 309 pushing her back one place to #12. That’s provided a boost for Tracy Cortez, who is up one spot to #11 months on from her main event loss to Rose Namajunas.
Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.
Flyweight: No changes.
Bantamweight: Marcus McGhee has debuted in the UFC rankings following his victory over Jonathan Martinez. “The Maniac” has entered at #14, while his defeated opponent is no longer ranked. Aiemann Zahabi has been a beneficiary of those changes, seeing his number improved by one to #13.
Featherweight: No changes.
Lightweight: A few changes unrelated to Saturday’s pay-per-view have taken place at 155 pounds. That includes a switch of positions for Mateusz Gamrot and Beneil Dariush, with the former up to #8 and the latter down to #9. It’s a similar situation further down the ladder, with Paddy Pimblett climbing above Jalin Turner (#14) to #13.
Welterweight: No changes.
Middleweight: No changes.
Light Heavyweight: No changes.
Heavyweight: Following his defeat to Jones, Stipe Miocic announced his retirement from active competition inside the cage. With that, he’s swiftly been removed from the UFC rankings and replaced by Shamil Gaziev, who’s slot in at #15.
A much-desired title unification fight between UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and his interim counterpart Tom Aspinall continues to be the talk of the town.
Despite Aspinall having the interim belt wrapped around his waist in 2023, both Jones and the promotion remained steadfast on a decision to reschedule the champ’s clash with the returning Stipe Miocic.
It didn’t take long for Aspinall’s name to once again be presented to Jones. Although he appeared to entertain the prospect of facing the Brit inside the Octagon, his post-fight press conference told a different story.
But despite the fight appearing to remain a significant distance away from coming to fruition, that hasn’t stopped the fanbase from pondering who would emerge as undisputed king.
In the immediate aftermath of Jones’ win, the betting lines had Aspinall favored to do so.
Aspinall has widely been branded the leading man when it comes to the ‘new generation’ of heavyweights competing on MMA’s biggest stage, with his speed, power, and agility helping him accumulate an 8-1 record in the UFC — the sole defeat on which came by way of a freak knee injury.
With that in mind, many seem to be leaning toward the interim champ when pondering his chances against Jones, with some even suggesting that the line should be wider in his favor.
Some others, however, were left bemused by seeing a leading candidate for GOAT status sat as an underdog.
While the aftermath of the Nov. 16 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the heavyweight title picture to the flyweight championship conversation.
At UFC 310, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, reigning kingpin Alexandre Pantoja will compete for the second time this year, once again in defense of his 125-pound gold. After following his crowning against Brandon Moreno with retentions opposite Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg, “The Cannibal” will next face a newcomer in the form of ex-Rizin champion Kai Asakura.
Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as Shavkat Rakhmonov looks to defend his spot as next in line for a shot at Belal Muhammad following the welterweight titleholder’s withdrawal due to injury. The replacement fight will see “Nomad” face a fellow undefeated contender in Ireland’s Ian Garry.
Gane, Mitchell, Landwehr Set The Stage For High-Profile Headliners At UFC 310
Before Pantoja defends his belt and Rakhmonov meets the challenge of “The Future,” a number of other notable names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major UFC 310 card.
That includes former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane. Having not competed since knocking out Serghei Spivac in Paris last year, the Frenchman will return after 15 months to once again collide with Alexander Volkov. “Drago” finds himself with a chance for redemption against “Bon Gamin” after rising to #3 in the division courtesy of his triumph over Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia this past June.
Prior to that, ranked featherweight Bryce Mitchell will also get his sole outing of 2024 and first fight since being brutally slept by Josh Emmett at last year’s final pay-per-view. To bounce back, “Thug Nasty” is tasked with defending his spot on the ladder opposite a fellow grappling specialist in Kron Gracie. The 36-year-old returned from a near-four-year layoff in May 2023 but disappointed in defeat versus Charles Jourdain. After another lengthy layoff, he’ll hope to record his first win since 2019 at the expense of Mitchell.
And opening the UFC 310 main card will be a sure-fire firefight between Nate Landwehr and Dooho Choi. “The Train” will enter the event off the back of a KO victory over Jamall Emmers this past March, while “The Korean Superboy” — who sits as part of the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing owing to his 2016 war with Cub Swanson — rebounded from a four-fight winless run by stopping Bill Algeo in July for his first triumph in eight years.
Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the crucial featherweight contest between the #5-ranked Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, which is currently slated to be the penultimate prelim.
See below for the full UFC 310 card, as it stands.
Main Card:
Flyweight Championship Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Asakura
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry
Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie
Featherweight: Nate Landwehr vs. Dooho Choi
Preliminary Card:
Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Themba Gorimbo
Featherweight: Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes
Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle
Early Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Tallison Teixeira vs. Łukasz Brzeski
Flyweight: Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van
Lightweight: Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper
Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin
Heavyweight: Martin Buday vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Aljamain Sterling faces Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 (Image: UFC.com)
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira was left frustrated by referee Keith Peterson’s officiating of this past weekend’s co-main event.
Oliveira delivered one of the performances of the night at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, where he added a second victory over former three-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler to his record.
First time around, “Do Bronx” was swarmed early and had to mount an incredible comeback to finish “Iron” in round two and have the 155-pound gold wrapped around his waist.
The fifth and final frame saw the American come close to doing so after he rocked Oliveira on the feet and established a dominant position on the ground. The onslaught of strikes that followed, however, caused controversy as they largely appeared to cannon into the back of the eventual victor’s head.
And that was just the latest instance of apparent fouling, with fans highlighting fence grabs during the fight and “Do Bronx” complaining of eye pokes and glove grabbing.
During his post-fight press conference at MSG, Oliveira shed light on the multitude of fouls dealt his way at UFC 309, questioning why referee Peterson didn’t intervene a single time.
“I’m not here to criticize,” Oliveira said. “But I wanna tell you something: there were a lot of blows to the back of the head, a lot of fence grabbing. There was also some eye pokes. And I was telling the ref what was going on, I was calling for his attention and nothing would happen. I hoped that he would intervene, but nothing happened.”
This is far from the first time Chandler has been accused of deliberate fouling. He notably caught the wrath of Dustin Poirier in the aftermath of their fight after appearing to fishhook “The Diamond” during a grappling exchange.
Oliveira thankfully didn’t have to deal with that kind of foul, and he ultimately recovered from some egregious back-of-the-head blows to have his hand raised by way of a convincing unanimous decision.
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya appeared impressed while watching Jon Jones send Stipe Miocic into retirement with a brutal kick this past weekend.
Returning from a spell on the sidelines that spanned over three and a half years, many dismissed Miocic’s chances of unseating Jones and adding a third heavyweight reign to his illustrious record.
In spite of many focusing on his avoidance of Tom Aspinall, Jones’ latest triumph on MMA’s biggest stage drew widespread plaudits, including from some UFC peers whom he’s not always seen eye to eye with…
During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya reacted live to the events that unfolded on the UFC 309 main card at MSG.
The Nigerian-New Zealander didn’t have much to say during the finishing sequence in the headliner, instead simply applauding Jones’ work.
“He did it, as he does,” Adesanya said. “Great main event. … Good to see Stipe hang them up. I still think he went out on top.”
He was subsequently asked the question on everyone’s lips — will a unification fight with Aspinall happen?
“I think it’ll happen. If Jones is not retiring, I think they’ll figure it out,” Adesanya said. “Talk to Hunter (Campbell), talk to Dana (White)…sit down in the War Room, they’ll hash it out, they’ll figure it out.”
UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal continues to push back on suggestions he underperformed this past weekend.
Nickal was among those to have their hand raised on the main card of Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view. But unlike his previous Octagon outings — all of which came by way of knockout or submission — the American didn’t draw a positive reaction from the crowd.
The audience in attendance at Madison Square Garden made their displeasure known throughout Nickal’s three-round contest with formerly ranked middleweight and light heavyweight contender Paul Craig.
During his post-fight press conference at MSG, Nickal shared the same sentiment, even going as far as to call his performance in New York City “picture-perfect.”
“Definitely, it’s way better for me and my development,” Nickal said. “If you look at my cage time and what I had before this, I over-doubled it, for sure. That’s something that for me I’ve really cornered myself with this reputation of a guy who finishes them and destroys them – because that’s when the expectation is set. My expectation is to compete to the best of my ability at 100 percent effort.
“It’s not anything to do with the result. It doesn’t matter: decisions, submissions, knockouts. I’m definitely not disappointed with this result. I was way more disappointed with my last fight and I subbed the guy,” Nickal continued. “This fight, for me, was picture-perfect.”
With the result, Nickal has moved to a perfect 4-0 in the UFC and 7-0 overall as a professional mixed martial artist.
The three-time NCAA Division I national champion and three-time Big Ten Conference champion out of Pennsylvania State University will now look ahead to his first assignment of 2025, as he edges closer to putting a number next to his name at 185 pounds.
Those who feared a difficult night at the office for the returning former champion, who hadn’t competed in three and a half years, had their worries come to fruition.
The result saw Jones add a successful heavyweight defense to his already illustrious résumé, and that unsurprisingly drew a reaction from a man he’s long gone back and forth with.
Taking to X with his reaction moments after the main event concluded, Ngannou returned the favor by repeating the “I see you” line Jones posted in response to the Cameroonian’s winning debut under the PFL banner last month.
Jones looked great out there tonight. Congrats Jonny boy👏🏾 I see you 😉
“Jones looked great out there tonight,” Ngannou wrote. “Congrats Jonny boy. I see you (wink)”
While a possible showdown between Jones and Ngannou looks set to enter the “what if” realm of matchups, “The Predator” had a lengthier address for a man whom he has thrown down with — twice.
Following his defeat in New York City, Miocic announced his retirement, and Ngannou was among those paying tribute to the former two-time heavyweight king on social media.
Thank you, champion @stipemiocic , for all you’ve done for our sport and, above all, for the class you embody and the example you set. I’m grateful for how our battles have shaped me into a better fighter; those moments taught me more than years in the sport. Enjoy your… pic.twitter.com/QAzR4uX94Y
“Thank you, champion @stipemiocic, for all you’ve done for our sport and, above all, for the class you embody and the example you set,” Ngannou wrote. “I’m grateful for how our battles have shaped me into a better fighter; those moments taught me more than years in the sport. Enjoy your well-earned retirement and best wishes for all your future endeavors.”
Miocic faced MMA’s hardest hitter twice in the UFC, first outpointing Ngannou to become the first man to beat him in the Octagon at UFC 220.
Three years later, the pair renewed hostilities at the Apex, where “The Predator” got his redemption and crowning moment in violent fashion.
MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards.
With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.
Between Monday, November 10, and Sunday, November 17, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For those matchups, check out the list below:
The pair’s eight-round professional heavyweight contest was tasked with headlining the very first combat sports event to be streamed live on the Netflix platform, which also staged the championship rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
After a blockbuster co-headliner, Paul outpointed Tyson in a lackluster main event, which saw 58-year-old “Iron Mike” land just 18 times across the 24-minute distance.
After capturing the gold in March 2023 by quickly submitting Ciryl Gane, “Bones” is next tasked with stalling Stipe Miocic’s ambitions of a return to the 265-pound mountaintop in what will mark the Ohio native’s first outing in three and a half years.
The stakes will also be high in the co-main event, which will see former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira look to secure another shot at regaining the crown by once again getting the better of Michael Chandler.
Elsewhere on the UFC 309 card, middleweight prospect Bo Nickal, rising flyweight Karine Silva, the always entertaining Mauricio Ruffy and former champion Chris Weidman have their next assignments inside the Octagon.
Ahead of the event, 25 of the 26 fighters successfully made weight, with James Llontop’s 1.2-pound miss of the 165-pound catchweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale. Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 309 ceremonial weigh-ins!
UFC 309 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!
After staging fights in Edmonton and Las Vegas to kick off the month, the mixed martial arts leader will host its annual November numbered event from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
One title will be on the line at the top of the card, with Jon Jones defending his heavyweight belt against returning former champion Stipe Miocic n the main event. Co-headlining, meanwhile, will be a crucial lightweight rematch between ex-titleholder Charles Oliveira and the always entertaining Michael Chandler
Also on the main card will be returns for highly touted middleweight prospect Bo Nickal, surging flyweight contender Karine Silva, and electric lightweight newcomer Mauricio Ruffy.
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Weigh-In Results
UFC 309 takes place Saturday, November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
See above for a replay of the UFC 309 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below.
Main Card:
Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Jon Jones (237.6lbs) vs. Stipe Miocic (248.6lbs)
Lightweight Co-Main Event: Charles Oliveira (155.6lbs) vs. Michael Chandler (155.6lbs)
Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo (125.6lbs) vs. Karine Silva (125.8lbs)
Middleweight: Bo Nickal (185.4lbs) vs. Paul Craig (186lbs)
Catchweight (165lbs): Mauricio Ruffy (164.4lbs) vs. James Llontop (166.2lbs)*
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez (135.8lbs) vs. Marcus McGhee (135.6lbs)
Middleweight: Eryk Anders (185.6lbs) vs. Chris Weidman (186lbs)
Lightweight: Jim Miller (155.6lbs) vs. Damon Jackson (155.2lbs)
Featherweight: David Onama (155.6lbs) vs. Roberto Romero (155lbs)
Early Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura (251lbs) vs. Jhonata Diniz (253.2lbs)
Welterweight: Mickey Gall (170.8lbs) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (170.2lbs)
Welterweight: Bassil Hafez (171lbs) vs. Oban Elliott (170lbs)
Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy (125.8lbs) vs. Eduarda Moura (125.2lbs)
*James Llontop missed the catchweight limit by 1.2 pounds
Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, who is tasked with getting the better of former kingpin Stipe Miocic if he’s to record a first successful title defense.
Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see ex-lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira in action for the second time this year. After failing to get past Arman Tsarukyan, “Do Bronx” must add a second win over Michael Chandler to his record if he’s to keep his name in the title conversation.
Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of elite wrestling specialist Bo Nickal, rising women’s flyweight contender Karine Silva, the entertaining Mauricio Ruffy and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 309 main card here.
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 309 (as of 11/15), courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card:
Jon Jones (-625) vs. Stipe Miocic (+455)
Charles Oliveira (-245) vs. Michael Chandler (+200)
We’re deep into UFC 309 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on November 16 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
Setting the stage for the UFC 309 headliners will be a crucial five-round contest at 155 pounds, with former kingpin Charles Oliveira looking to repeat his 2021 victory over Michael Chandler in their highly anticipated rematch.
Also on pay-per-view will be rising middleweight prospect Bo Nickal, who gets his toughest test to date in formerly ranked submission specialist Paul Craig. That’s in addition to surging flyweight Karine Silva, who looks to keep climbing the ladder toward Valentina Shevchenko’s gold at the expense of her fellow countrywoman Viviane Araujo.
The UFC 309 main card will open with the always entertaining Mauricio Ruffy making his second walk to the Octagon. The Fighting Nerds standout will look to continue his winning start to life in the UFC against late-notice replacement James Llontop.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference.
The pair’s eight-round professional heavyweight contest is tasked with headlining the very first combat sports event to be streamed live on the Netflix platform, which will also stage the championship rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
Ahead of the event, the fighters will hit the scale on Thursday to make their matchups official.
The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event takes place on Friday, November 15, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The main card begins at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on Netflix, with the preliminary card starting at 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT on YouTube.
See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via Most Valuable Promotions, and check out the full results below.
Main Card (Netflix, 8 PM ET):
Heavyweight: Jake Paul (227.2lbs) vs. Mike Tyson (228.4lbs)
Lightweight: Katie Taylor (137.4lbs) vs. Amanda Serrano (137.4lbs)
Welterweight: Mario Barrios (146.8lbs) vs. Abel Ramos (146.4lbs)
Super Middleweight: Neeraj Goyat (162lbs) vs. Whindersson Nunes (164lbs)
Preliminary Card (YouTube, 5:30 PM ET):
Super Middleweight: Shadasia Green (167.8lbs) vs. Melinda Watpool (166.8lbs)
Lightweight: Lucas Bahdi (135.6lbs) vs. Armando Casamonica (138.6lbs*)
Featherweight: Shu Shu Carrington Jr. (125.8lbs) vs. Dana Coolwell (125.2lbs)
Their planned showdown at Madison Square Garden last November fell through, however, due to an injury on the side of “Bones,” and Tom Aspinall subsequently became interim champ as a result.
Even beyond that, Aspinall remains an opponent whom the Rochester native is looking to avoid. The champ has expressed a number of reasons for not fighting the Brit this year, from a potential retirement and lack of enthusiasm about the interim king’s record to his desire to face Alex Pereira instead.
Jon Jones did a scrum with media and emphasized that his priority going forward should he fight beyond Saturday is to compete in "fun fights" with athletes who are roughly his size.
It’s worth noting that Jones spent three years on the sidelines to bulk up and prepare for his stint at heavyweight, weighing in at 248 pounds for his divisional debut. That’s just three pounds lighter than Aspinall hit the scales at before knocking out Curtis Blaydes this past July.
Jones’ latest remarks drew plenty of backlash on social media, not least due to the fact his remark on size came during the same media scrum in which he pointed to Derrick Lewis as a “super fight” he could pursue.
The common theme among commenters was the “ducking” accusation that has followed Jones throughout UFC 309 fight week.
If it's his final fight…he's going out with a bang presser.
The main event will see heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones defend his title for the first time since capturing it at the expense of Ciryl Gane 20 months ago. To continue reign, “Bones” is tasked with spoiling the ongoing ambitions of returning former champ Stipe Miocic.
Co-headlining will be a former titleholder in Charles Oliveira, who will look to record his first victory of 2024 to book himself another shot at regaining the lightweight gold. In his way will be a familiar foe in Michael Chandler, whom he runs it back with after “Iron” finally moved on from a long-desired clash with Conor McGregor.
Elsewhere on the main card, Bo Nickal gets his toughest test to date opposite formerly ranked submission specialist Paul Craig, Brazilian flyweights Karine Silva and Viviane Araújo battle to advance their title aspirations, and the entertaining Mauricio Ruffy gets his second taste of Octagon action.
UFC 309: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 309 event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Pranav Pandey and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through eight cards.
Thomas Albano (30-9)
Ryan Jarrell (25-14)
Kyle Dimond (22-17)
Pranav Pandey (13-7)
Andrew Starc (13-11)
Aakrit Sharma (9-6)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 309.
Welterweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop
Images: DWCS/UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: Let’s be honest, this fight is here to showcase Ruffy. That performance against Mullarkey earlier this year was incredibly exciting, and I don’t see the winning streak of the Fighting Nerds ending here against an opponent that has lost his first two fights inside the Octagon. It would be a huge moment for Llontop if he does it, but as far as uphill battles go on this card, he may have the steepest one. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Ryan Jarrell: Ruffy looked impressive in his UFC debut win over Jamie Mullarkey and kept his 100 percent finishing record in tact with his 10th stoppage win. I just don’t see a path to victory for Llontop in this fight. He is now 0-2 in the UFC, and this matchup stylistically isn’t a good one for him. Ruffy will find Llontop’s chin at some point early in the fight and close the show. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Thomas Albano: These are two names from the 2023 season of Dana White’s Contender Series whose time in the UFC has gone in two different directions. Ruffy made his Octagon debut at UFC 301 and made an impact with a strong flying knee KO of Jamie Mullarkey. And though that’s been his only UFC fight to date, he and his team, the Fighting Nerds, have surged in popularity and recognition this year, not only putting up strong performances but also earning key victories as well. Llontop has a cool nickname (“Goku”), but he’s dropped both of his UFC fights this year, and missed weight for one of them in the process.
I’d say more about this fight, but I’ll be blunt and say what this is and what’s going to happen. The UFC is going to continue to push the Fighting Nerds (and I don’t blame them), and this fight is going to be used to give Ruffy and the team another strong, impressive outing. Meanwhile, Llontop moves to 0-3 in the UFC, causing his release (because that’s just the model of their fighter roster at this point). Ruffy is a tough-as-nails finisher, and that will occur again in this outing. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Pranav Pandey: At this stage, it would be foolish to bet against a Fighting Nerds standout, so I’m all in on Ruffy and fully aboard the hype train. My pick isn’t just a blind leapof faith — Ruffy truly earned my confidence with his stunning knockout of Mullarkey in promotional debut at UFC 301. With a flawless 100 percent knockout rate in all his victories, the Brazilian has left no doubt that he’s a devastating force in the octagon. I’m confident he’ll dominate every facet of the fight against Llontop. Additionally, with “Goku” stepping in on just two weeks’ notice, it’s hard to see how he can match Ruffy’s intensity. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Aakrit Sharma: I believe this to be a fairly easy fight for Ruffy, who’s fighting on a UFC PPV main card for the first time. He’s won all his fights via KO/TKO so far, and he should be able to get the same result this weekend. Ruffy’s a tall lightweight who utilizes his range well and possesses KO power. He’s only lost to Manoel Sausa, which was more or less a result of him not keeping his guard up while striking. Llontop will likely be overwhelmed by his opponent’s pace as well. I hope Ruffy performs spectacularly and gets booked against an exciting striker like Daniel Zellhuber next. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Consensus: 5-0 Mauricio Ruffy
Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: Araújo has got some good wins on her record but she does tend to lose to the contenders that are climbing the rankings and passing her by. It seems like Silva could be one of those opponents. In 11 UFC fights, Araújo has never been finished, so I think she’ll put up a good fight against Silva but won’t have enough to secure the win. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Ryan Jarrell: Silva has 17 total finishes and hasn’t lost since 2019. Her well-rounded game will give her the advantage in this fight regardless of where it goes. Araújo is a decision machine, which means she is durable and tough to put away. I expect her to fight out of any real bad spots and survive to lose on the scorecards to Silva. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Thomas Albano: Silva is looking to continue her rise up the UFC’s women’s flyweight division, while Araújo is looking to break her way back into the upper echelon of contenders. Silva has impressed with a 4-0 Octagon record thus far, taking care of Poliana Botelho, Ketlen Souza, and Maryna Moroz with three first-round submissions. Then, earlier this year, she bested Ariane Lipski da Silva via decision. Silva is developing well into an all-around fighter, and now she gets her toughest test.
Araújo is in the twilight of her career and has lost three of her last five, but she has continued to hold strong, such as with her win over former title challenger Jennifer Maia last year. She has faced some solid competition in her losses, including recent UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and former title challenger Amanda Ribas, but there is a sense of concern with the downward momentum she’s on, going up against a woman who is on a nine-fight win streak. Silva has the youth advantage, the speed, the momentum and the skillset all on her side. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Pranav Pandey: Silva has made an undeniable impact since her UFC debut through Dana White’s Contender Series, securing three back-to-back first-round submission victories. With a dangerous striking game and a knack for finishing fights, she’s quickly become one of the division’s hot prospects. Alternatively, I’m not entirely convinced by Araújo, mainly due to her tendency to be inconsistent in securing victories. Despite being with the UFC since 2019, she has only notched a single knockout win, although her resilience is certainly admirable.
With Silva’s youthful energy and momentum, I believe she’ll smoothly handle this matchup and come out on top. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Aakrit Sharma: Araújo has been in the UFC for over five years, and despite never losing more than two fights in a row, she’s not been able to win against elite competition. Silva, on the other hand, is riding an impressive nine-fight win streak in her pro career. I believe Silva has all the tools to beat Araújo. She’s been relying a lot on her submission skills lately, securing seven submissions in a row before her last decision win. However, she also boasts KO power and I find it hard to see a path to victory for Araújo. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Consensus: 5-0 Karine Silva
Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
Images: UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: Many have counted out Craig in the past and been wrong, but when you look at his losses in the UFC, they usually come when he’s unable to get his opponents to the ground, either by taking them down or pulling guard. Though Nickal seems to be suggesting that he will grapple with Craig if he needs to, I think he’ll be able to keep the fight standing, where I think he holds the striking advantage. I’d love for “Bearjew” to shock the world yet again but it seems unlikely if Nickal decides to avoid the grappling altogether. (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Ryan Jarrell: This will be the stiffest test for the young wrestling phenom to get through, but I do expect him to get the job done. Craig is dangerous on the ground and has a ton of power on the feet. I just think the unreal wrestling acumen that Nickal possesses and his eagerness to bring the fight to his opponents will be the difference. Nickal will wear the veteran down and sink in a submission at some point in round two. (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Thomas Albano: Time for another step up in competition for Nickal, huh? The UFC is pushing him to be a star for them, and so far, he’s off to a decent start. After a pair of wins on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Nickal has three straight finishes against Jamie Pickett, Val Woodburn, and Cody Brundage. But now presents an opportunity for him to take on a featured name for the first time – and it’s someone who’s a grappling specialist in the man Craig. The problem with this? Craig isn’t the same guy he was just from even just a couple of years ago.
Craig has lost four of his last five, and a pair of those defeats have come when he was bested on the ground. Now you’re going to take this soon-to-be 37-year-old fighter and put him against a young man like Nickal, who has a solid wrestling background and can transition that into strong ground and submission game, while also developing his striking. This doesn’t smell good for “Bearjew.”
This may turn out to be the most impressive that Nickal looks in the Octagon (though maybe his sub-minute finish of Woodburn will have something to say about that), and this fight may leave us wondering where Craig goes from here… (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Pranav Pandey: On paper, this might look like a bread-and-butter victory for Nickal, but I don’t think it’ll be as easy as the oddsmakers suggest. Nickal’s fighting style is undeniably dominant, bolstered by his impressive NCAA-level wrestling, which makes him a force to be reckoned with. However, don’t sleep on “Bearjew.” Craig may not have Nickal’s wrestling pedigree, but he’s a seasoned veteran with a wealth of experience. He’s battled with some of the best in the octagon, and his submission game is a constant danger — his threats come from every angle.
I believe Craig will present Nickal with a myriad of puzzling challenges, but I have faith that the All-American wrestler will be equipped to handle them and ultimately secure the victory. (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Aakrit Sharma: I initially had a weird feeling Craig would pull off an unexpected submission like he did against Magomed Ankalaev. However, after rewatching his performance against Brendan Allen, I’m unsure if he’ll be able to survive Nickal’s wrestling. Nickal seems to have decent power in his hands, too, giving Craig another thing to worry about. After an impressive win streak at light heavyweight, “Bearjew” hasn’t looked the same at middleweight, and Nickal is yet another rough opponent for him. (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Consensus: 5-0 Bo Nickal
Lightweight: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler 2
Images: UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: This fight is deceptively close I think because Oliveira does get hit and Chandler can finish anyone. That being said, the Brazilian’s recent performances don’t give me the impression that he’s had some kind of steep decline from his championship run. Losing to Islam Makhachev and having a close fight with Arman Tsarukyan are not results that come with red flags. I think Oliveira has the edge, partly because of his strength of schedule, but I am expecting some more wild moments between these two. Ultimately, I just think “Do Bronx” is better right now. (Prediction: Charles Oliveira)
Ryan Jarrell: Chandler looks amazing heading into this fight. He has had a lot of time to work on his body and looks to be in the best shape of his career. He also has a massive chip on his shoulder from the fallout of the elusive Conor McGregor fight that never happened. Chandler is always dangerous and has the ability to finish anyone in the division. But Oliveira is a unique matchup for the heavy-handed striker.
If Chandler wins, I expect it to be an early finish from some big bombs that land. But the safe bet is to lean “Do Bronx” to survive an early onslaught and submit “Iron” Mike. (Prediction: Charles Oliveira)
Thomas Albano: So, at this point, the future of McGregor in the Octagon looks to be up in smoke (at least in my eyes it’s been). Sorry to you, Chandler, for wasting your time chasing him. As an apology gift, you now get an opportunity at revenge against the man you fell just short against at UFC 262 – when you were mere seconds away from scoring a finish and the UFC lightweight title.
This will be Chandler’s first fight since losing to Dustin Poirier in the same venue two years earlier. Oliveira, meanwhile, missed out on a rematch with Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title and then dropped a decision to Tsarukyan at UFC 300. As mentioned, Oliveira and Chandler fought a really competitive outing at UFC 262, with both men having their moments before “Do Bronx” pulled off a comeback, second-round finish to capture the then-vacant championship.
Both of these men are in must-win situations in their own right, with Chandler maybe much more so. He was already in a must-win from the perspective that if he lost, maybe – despite previous claims from UFC CEO Dana White – the fight with McGregor goes up in smoke (if it isn’t already). But now, this is an all-or-nothing situation. If he wins, he gets his revenge and is right back into the lightweight title picture with a potential No. 1 contender’s fight next. A loss? At his age, and those opportunities gone, would there be anywhere for him to go? And unfortunately for Chandler, after this long layoff, and now going against a different (albeit familiar) opponent than the one he’s trained for – and a hungry former champion at that, this doesn’t look great. Second verse, same as the first. (Prediction: Charles Oliveira)
Pranav Pandey: In my opinion, this will be an absolute fireworks show! Honestly, I can’t see this one going the distance — much like their thrilling title fight at UFC 262. That being said, “Iron” is a formidable force in the early moments of a fight, and his confidence is only bolstered by his ability to drop Oliveira in their previous encounter. On the other hand, “Do Bronx” is also no slouch, whether on the feet or on the canvas. His striking has evolved, and if the fight hits the mat, his submission game is always a looming threat.
Should Oliveira successfully navigate Chandler’s early onslaught or endure the storm, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll find a way to finish him. No disrespect to Chandler, but when his early aggression doesn’t pay off, he often freezes up like a deer in headlights. As the rounds go on, his mistakes become more glaring, and those costly errors have repeatedly snatched victory from his grasp. (Prediction: Charles Oliveira)
Aakrit Sharma: Chandler risked a lot by waiting for McGregor for such a long time, but considering most of his fights are outright brawls, I believe spending over two years away from the Octagon will benefit “Iron.” Him being 38 should not be a factor, and now that he’s committed to winning the UFC lightweight championship, he might fight in a more calculated manner than before.
Oliveira, meanwhile, didn’t hurt his brand despite losing at UFC 300, and he’s still one of the most dangerous lightweights out there. However, I think Chandler will be way too powerful for the Brazilian and should be able to get out of any submissions. “Iron” just needs to avoid adrenaline-sponsored mistakes in this fight, as Oliveira can capitalize on them better than almost anyone.
I highly doubt this fight will go the distance. Even though “Do Bronx” emerged victorious the last time, I feel Chandler will finally have a more careful approach like Justin Gaethje and Francis Ngannou adapted toward the latter parts of their careers. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Consensus: 4-1 Charles Oliveira
UFC Heavyweight Title: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: I really want this fight to be competitive, for Miocic to turn back the clock and really test Jones at heavyweight. Unfortunately, like the vast majority, I struggle to overlook the facts in this one regardless of how good Miocic has been in the past. I will be delighted if it doesn’t go the way that most expect it to, and I do think it’s going to surprise people early on. But I just think the timing of this fight tips the scale massively in Jones’ direction, especially as the fight goes on. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Ryan Jarrell: I would love to pick Miocic to beat Jones and reclaim the heavyweight throne. But I just don’t see it happening at this point of his career. The former champ is much older now and hasn’t been fighting consistently at all. It’s been three years since Miocic last fought and he didn’t look very good in that fight.
I know there are a lot of people who don’t like Jones for a variety of reasons, but you cannot deny his greatness inside of the Octagon. He is smart to ask for this fight now and not risk losing to Miocic in his prime. At some point, Jones will clip the former champ and end the fight with some vicious strikes. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Thomas Albano: It’s the fight no one asked for, nobody wants to see, a year-plus removed from when it should have happened, and a whole lot of other slogans and phrases you can attach onto this fight. As a hot take, I don’t mind this main event. It’s perhaps the greatest fighter this sport has ever seen versus the man who ruled over the heavyweight division for the better part of 2016-2020 – the GOAT of the UFC’s heavyweight division. That kind of fight and its stakes speak for itself. I know plenty of people are unhappy with it because of where Tom Aspinall (and Alex Pereira) falls into the picture – but I consider that a separate issue I’ll go into later.
One thing I will give to the detractors – both guys have fought a combined one time (one time) since Miocic lost the heavyweight championship to Francis Ngannou in March 2021. Miocic waited on the sidelines for another title fight to come his way, accepting nothing less (as he did when the Daniel Cormier vs. Brock Lesnar rumors came and went in 2018-19). It took years, but he got his wish. Jones, meanwhile, vacated the light heavyweight title for the final time (we think) in 2020, with the UFC finally giving into his wishes to move up to heavyweight. He took years off to build his body and train correctly and then dominated Ciryl Gane for the championship. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the fight everyone wanted since Ngannou and the UFC parted ways at the start of 2023. Then this fight got delayed after Jones’ torn pec, paving the way for Aspinall to enter the title picture.
Let’s start with the fight itself. Jones has fought plenty of specialists before (be it wrestling, grappling, submissions, etc.). Miocic definitely has KO power in his own right, but Jones has managed to dominate, finish, or sometimes survive (barely) them all since he’s made his UFC debut. Sure, he has that one controversial DQ loss, but those 12-6 elbows are legal now! And wouldn’t it be something if those elbows came out to play in this fight? My point being – Miocic has fought no one before Jones that’s still on the current, active UFC roster. He’s fought no one other than Ngannou or Cormier since 2018. He hasn’t fought since his loss to Ngannou. We’ve seen fighters take long breaks and come out victorious (see GSP, Julianna Peña, and Jones himself), but I just don’t know if Miocic can do that with the limited competition he’s faced over recent years, especially when going up against one of the sport’s greatest fighters ever. Miocic loses this fight easily (I give it about 10 minutes at most) and lays his gloves down.
…And so, too, does Jones. He has teased that this would be his last fight, and it’s honestly a great storybook ending. He finally gets to compete in his birthplace of New York, in the World’s Most Famous Arena, and go out as a heavyweight champion. The problem? How is that fair to Tom Aspinall? As an interim champion, he’s earned the right to try and unify the belt against whoever holds the gold. Sure, he can just be promoted to heavyweight champion, but that feels rather anti-climactic. Jones is even teasing that he’d rather fight light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a legendary fight, but Aspinall is feeling like a side piece in all of this. And I feel bad for him. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Pranav Pandey: I believe this bout goes beyond the UFC heavyweight title. To me, it’s a showdown between two of the sport’s most legendary figures, and I couldn’t be more hyped for it. Both fighters are entering the Octagon after extended layoffs, with Miocic especially nearing the twilight of his illustrious career. However, this doesn’t mean we should expect either of them to show signs of slowing down.
“Bones”, in particular, has consistently demonstrated the full spectrum of his diverse skillset, proving time and again why he remains one of the most dangerous and well-rounded mixed martial artists the sport has ever seen. Meanwhile, Miocic is arguably the greatest heavyweight to ever step into the UFC Octagon. His fists pack devastating power, a potential trump card for Jones if he’s not careful. On top of that, the former champion possesses remarkable takedown defense, a crucial asset that will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in this high-stakes battle.
When it comes to my prediction, my heart leans toward Miocic, but my mind can’t help but favor Jones. While I believe Miocic will undoubtedly push Jones to the brink and give him one of his toughest challenges, “Bones” possesses a vast array of tools that, in my opinion, just edge him ahead. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Aakrit Sharma: Unfortunately, many people don’t realize how talented Miocic is. Jones might be one of the best mixed martial artists of all time, but the heavyweight division is a completely new puzzle to solve. The quick win over Ciryl Gane helped “Bones” become the UFC heavyweight kingpin, but he was barely tested and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s surprised by Miocic’s athleticism and fight IQ.
I don’t expect Jones to shut out Miocic entirely. This should be a competitive fight as Miocic is one of the most creative heavyweight strikers ever and he boasts powerful grappling too. The only reason I’m picking Jones is because Miocic is way past his prime and he’s likely just fighting for a huge payday. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Consensus: 5-0 Jon Jones
That’ll do it for our UFC 309 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 309 card below.
Main Card:
Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Jon Jones (C) vs. Stipe Miocic
Lightweight Co-Main Event: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
Lightweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
Middleweight: Eryk Anders vs. Chris Weidman
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson
Featherweight: David Onama vs. Roberto Romero
Early Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Jhonata Diniz
Welterweight: Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
Welterweight: Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott
Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 309!
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes this weekend’s curtain-closer between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic will reach a conclusion well inside the five-round distance.
Given the veteran’s age and lengthy stint on the sidelines, which followed a brutal knockout loss to Francis Ngannou, not many are giving the Ohio native a chance of ripping the gold from Jones’ grasp at UFC 309.
And that includes a man who hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye with the Rochester native…
During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya provided a brief breakdown of both UFC 309 headliners before making his prediction.
While “The Last Stylebender” praised Miocic’s toughness and past stints with the heavyweight crown in his possession, he went as far as to suggest that a victory for the challenger would mark the “biggest upset” the Octagon has seen.
“Jones lately looks better at heavyweight already. He’s been taking it seriously,” Adesanya said. “The Ciryl Gane fight was the one that made me go, ‘Yeah, he’s the best.’ I thought Ciryl Gane was going to give him some trouble, and Ciryl was the new-age heavyweight. Jones was like, ‘Hold on there.’ … The guy’s just crafty, creative with what he does.
“But with Stipe, Stipe is tough. He can outwork a lot of heavyweights. You’ve seen what he’s done in the past, you’ve seen his reign as a heavyweight. … But in this fight, man, I think he’s up against it,” Adesanya continued. “I’m going to pick Jon Jones….first two rounds, he’s going to finish him. … If Stipe gets it done, it will be the biggest upset in UFC history.”
Miocic will look to prove Adesanya wrong and deliver a major shock in “The Big Apple.”
In doing so, he’d likely return to the heavyweight throne in an even more shocking fashion than his redemption against Daniel Cormier back in 2019.
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira expects to come up against the same Michael Chandler that he did back in 2021 this weekend.
Oliveira is gearing up for his second assignment of the year, as he looks to immediately bounce back from his narrow split decision setback opposite Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 this past April.
To do so, “Do Bronx” is tasked with repeating a feat he achieved back in May 2021 — beat Chandler.
Ahead of the pair’s second clash at UFC 309, Chandler has waxed lyrical about his evolution as a fighter since being the victim of a come-from-behind knockout against the Brazilian.
Oliveira, though, isn’t convinced.
During a recent fight week interview with ESPN MMA, Oliveira reacted to Chandler’s claims regarding his improvements as a competitor since their first showdown three and a half years ago.
“Do Bronx” was firm in stating that Chandler doesn’t have it in him to change his aggressive, forward-pressing style. With that in mind, he’s anticipating a similar opening frame burst from the 38-year-old.
“All you have to do is watch his fights, that’s who he is. He’s always aggressive, he’s always going to go forward. He can’t help but be himself,” Oliveira said. “It’s like saying, ‘Charles is going to back down, or walk backwards.’ I am never, I am going to always push forward. That’s who (Chandler) is always going to be. Always very explosive, always very aggressive, a guy who’s got a very strong first round.”
At UFC 262, Chandler’s fast start almost paid off. He had Oliveira badly hurt and appeared just seconds away from closing the show on more than one occasion.
But after “Do Bronx” survived to hear the first horn, a perfectly timed left hook early in the second round caught Chandler and set up the shock finish — something the former champ will now hope to repeat in New York City this Saturday night.
Jon Jones won’t extend his fighting career beyond UFC 309 to unify the heavyweight title, but he will if it means fighting the likes of Derrick Lewis and Jamahal Hill.
Rather than the matchup itself, the main talking point in recent months and days has been the former light heavyweight kingpin’s decision to avoid facing interim titleholder Tom Aspinall, who earned his belt last November as a result of an injury to “Bones.”
In a media scrum during UFC 309 fight week, Jones continued to dismiss fighting his interim counterpart. This time, though, he added more names to the list of potential opponents he’d favor over the Brit.
But it perhaps came as a surprise when the names Lewis and Hill followed the term “super fights.”
“I could see myself after this entertaining super fights only,” Jones said. “If we get a dominant performance, I’m prepared to vacate the heavyweight championship and fight for fun. I want to fight for fun. … I don’t necessarily want it to be over, but I just want to fight for fun.
“I think about one of my teammates, Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, he just fights. Win, lose, or draw, he just fights. I would love to kind of experience that for the first time in my career, just not having this belt to protect. Just fighting guys that I’d stylistically want to fight against,” Jones continued. “Random fights like Jamahal Hill. … I’m at an interesting weight where I can fight light heavyweights or heavyweights. Derrick Lewis, Biggest knockout puncher in history.”
Jones: "I could see myself, after this, entertaining super fights only"
Jones goes on to mention fighters like Jamahal Hill and Derrick Lewis as possibilities. pic.twitter.com/FNXE6LVKlv
Aspinall’s stoppage wins against Alexander Volkov, Sergei Pavlovich, and Curtis Blaydes haven’t stopped Jones branding the Brit’s résumé unworthy of his time, but “Bones” clearly holds Hill’s victories over Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker, Thiago Santos, and a retiring Glover Teixeira en route to the then-vacant title in high regard.
Lewis, meanwhile, is without a win streak since 2021 and has lost five of his last eight fights.
Suffice to say, it would appear unlikely that the ‘ducking’ accusations being leveled against Jones would dissipate should he vacate the heavyweight title in order to fight the likes of “Sweet Dreams” and “The Black Beast.”
Former longtime UFC welterweight Matt Brown believes heavyweight champion Jon Jones should have approached his refusal to fight Tom Aspinall differently.
The pair were originally set to collide last November prior to Jones’ injury. An interim champ subsequently joined the fray when Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich, but that fact hasn’t stopped “Bones” from pursuing Miocic.
His decision to avoid unifying the title has proved to be a controversial one. And UFC 309 fight week has even seen Jones suggest that the continuation of his fighting career beyond this weekend would only be to face light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.
“The fact that he brought up that he is going to fight again, and it’s not going to be the current interim champion, that’s a mistake on his part,” Brown said. “UFC should have sent a PR trainer out there to him or something. ‘How about we don’t talk about the future and focus on what we’re doing now. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.’
“But he crossed the bridge and opened up the door. He has to know when he says that, there’s going to be criticism that he’s ducking,” Brown continued. “It’s not a good look. Jon don’t give a f*ck. He just says it.”
Should Jones be set to stick to his stance post-his planned victory this weekend, it would appear that Aspinall will be relying on a late-notice withdrawal from Miocic to make his dream of fighting the all-time great a reality.
The Brit is currently in New York City to weigh in as backup fighter for the UFC 309 main event. Beyond his assignment on the scale this Friday, the interim champ’s next step is unclear.
An Australian former kickboxer has been charged with murder by police after his partner was discovered dead in a hotel room.
Shirley So, 50, was discovered deceased with stab wounds in a room at the Pullman Hotel in Penrith, Sydney. Emergency services were called early afternoon this past Sunday after reports of a disturbance.
Her body was found in the same room as Darren John Berry, a former kickboxer who notably competed on the K-1: Battle Of The Anzacs 1 card back in 2004. Berry, who went by the moniker “Hacksaw” during his fighting days, had life-threatening wounds to his arms and hands.
Berry, described by police as having an on-and-off relationship with So, was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in critical condition. On Tuesday, the 53-year-old was officially charged with murder at a bedside hearing at the hospital, where he remains under police guard.
The former fighter was refused bail and was set to appear before Penrith Local Court on Wednesday.
While there had been no history of domestic violence between Berry and So, the Daily Mail has reported that “Hacksaw” has a history of AVOs (apprehended violence orders) being taken out against him.
Two of those related to a former partner of his in 2017 and 2019, while a third AVO issued in 2019 related to a man.
News reports out of Australia have described Berry as an MMA fighter but only kickboxing bouts appear on sites with historical records of combat sports events such as Tapology.
Berry has frequently shared combat sports content on his Facebook page, in addition to a history of anti-vax posts.
