Final Combating Championship (UFC) is again on pay-per-view (PPV) TONIGHT (Sat., Nov. 16, 2024) for its yearly mega Madison Sq. Backyard-based card, and UFC 309’s lineup is a doozy (see it right here). In the primary occasion, heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, lastly returns from a torn pec to battle former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic. Within the co-main occasion, Michael Chandler makes his massive return after an extended layoff (thanks, Conor!) in opposition to former light-weight champion, Charles Oliveira.
UFC 309 is crafted with enjoyable fights from high to backside, so earlier than all of it goes down from probably the most iconic area on the earth, let’s checkout some random storylines, tidbits and statistics forward of showtime …
Quack, Quack
Let’s simply get this out of the way in which first: Sure, Jones versus interim champion, Tom Aspinall, would have been a a lot better battle and doubtless ought to have occurred.
However, it’s not taking place … perhaps ever.
Is Jones ducking Aspinall? All indicators level to sure, however we’ll have a greater reply after UFC 309 concludes (and negotiations start).
G.O.A.T vs. G.O.A.T
Whereas Jones vs. Miocic would have been way more unimaginable if they’d fought 5 years in the past, nonetheless, it nonetheless is an superior battle due to their statuses. Jones is extensively considered the best blended martial arts (MMA) fighter of all time, and Miocic is a superb heavyweight in UFC historical past and, some might argue (like Dana White), the most effective all-time heavyweight.
Though they each could also be coming off layoffs, Miocic’s being 4 years, there isn’t any denying it is a tremendous essential battle.
Legacies are on the road, too.
Residence Recreation
Jones was born in Rochester, N.Y., and all through his legendary profession, he has by no means competed in “The Large Apple.” When MMA was legalized in New York Metropolis in 2016, Jones bought suspended for one yr and by no means bought the possibility to compete in probably the most iconic area in sports activities.
Fortunately, “Bones” lastly will get the chance to verify MSG off of his bucket checklist. Will he retire in his residence state?
Licensed Headliner
Jones will compete in his nineteenth UFC major occasion and record-holding seventeenth title battle — merely unimaginable.
Welcome Again, Mike
After two years, Chandler returns after unsuccessfully ready for Conor McGregor. It seems like an eternity since “Iron” final stepped contained in the Octagon, however that’s simply because he was extremely lively as soon as he made it to UFC.
He plans to win tonight, battle the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan subsequent yr, after which battle “The Infamous” sooner or later.
Operating It Again
Chandler and Oliveira will likely be operating it again tonight after their epic two-round conflict again at UFC 262 in 2021. Chandler nearly completed Oliveira of their first assembly however ended up getting completed within the second spherical by way of technical knockout (watch highlights).
With how the division is correct now, the rematch makes full sense and needs to be utter chaos for so long as it lasts. Oh, and the winner may punch a ticket for a light-weight title battle.
Defeated (0-3)
Chandler has competed thrice inside Madison Sq. Backyard however is presently winless.
Chandler misplaced to Brent Primus when he was with Bellator, the one time Bellator visited “The Backyard.” Then, Chandler misplaced to Justin Gaethje in his second UFC battle, which ended up being “Combat of the 12 months,” one yr later, he misplaced to Dustin Poirier.
Will he lastly win?
Bo’s Greatest Battle
Three-time NCAA Division I nationwide champion from Penn State College, Bo Nickal, makes the stroll for his fourth battle contained in the Octagon tonight, and it will likely be in opposition to his largest take a look at thus far, Paul Craig.
Whereas Craig has not had a lot success at Middleweight, he has wins over Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill, two of the present high Gentle Heavyweights.
Nickal is an enormous favourite once more (full UFC 309 odds right here) and can probably win, nevertheless it might get difficult if the battle hits the ground.
Flyweights Combating For A Rating
High-ranked girls’s Flyweight prospect, Karine Silva, can bounce into the High 10 rankings with a win over the always-durable Viviane Araujo, who’s ranked No. 8.
Silva has been excellent to this point in UFC, successful three first-round submissions and going to a choice for the primary time in her total profession final day out.
Combating Nerds Proceed To Roll
Brazilian health club Combating Nerds has been on an absolute roll in 2024 and is the front-runner for the health club of the yr, whether or not or not it’s chief Caio Barralho making his manner into the Middleweight High 6 rankings, Jean Silva popping out of nowhere to cease Drew Dober two weeks after knocking out Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 or Carlos Prates, who simply slept Neil Magny.
Nonetheless, there might be an argument that the flashiest fighter in that health club competes tonight.
Certainly, Mauricio Ruffy competes in his second UFC battle at UFC 309 in opposition to James Llontop and has been must-watch TV his total profession. Oh, and he’s kicking off the PPV major card for a motive (he’ll type on Llontop).
‘Prelims’ Fast Hits
With the PPV out of the way in which, listed below are some random storylines and stats for UFC 309’s “Prelims” undercard.
- Marcus McGhee — who’s undefeated (3-0) in UFC with three knockouts — fights exterior of UFC’s Apex venue for the primary time. He’ll battle Jonathan Martinez, ranked No. 13 within the Bantamweight division.
- Former Middleweight champion, Chris Weidman, returns to his residence state of New York, the place he’s 1-3 and winless (0-2) inside Madison Sq. Backyard.
- Damon Jackson makes his Light-weight debut after 23 fights within the Featherweight division, takes on Jim Miller, who makes the stroll for his forty fifth UFC battle.
- Roberto Romero makes his UFC debut on lower than one week’s discover in opposition to knockout artist David Onama. Romero holds an 8-3-1 file and fought most just lately for Combate World.
- Jhonata Diniz — who was imagined to battle Derrick Lewis two weeks in the past at UFC Edmonton — fights ranked Heavyweight, Marcin Tybura, as a substitute.
- Welterweights Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott might steal the “Prelims” portion of the present.
- Eduarda Moura — who missed weight twice in her first two UFC fights — will transfer as much as Flyweight in opposition to Victoria Hardy.
UFC 309 Combat Chief
The fighter with probably the most profession fights competing at UFC 309 is Jim Miller (55).
UFC 309 Combat Rookie
The fighter with the least quantity of profession fights competing at UFC 309 is Nickal (6).
UFC 309 Knockout King
The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession knockouts competing at UFC 309 is Miocic (14).
UFC 309 Submission Savant
The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession submissions competing at UFC 309 is Oliveira (22).
Beta Canine
Based on Fan Duel, UFC 309’s “largest” underdog is Craig at +730.
To take a look at the newest and best UFC 309: “Jones vs. Miocic” information and notes you should definitely hit up our complete occasion archive proper right here.