Jon Jones def. Stipe Miocic via TKO (R3, 4:29)
Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler via UD
Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Viviane Araujo def. Karine Silva via unanimous decision
Mauricio Ruffy def. James Llontop via unanimous decision
Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision
Jim Miller def. Damon Jackson via submission (guillotine) (R1, 2:44)
David Onama def. Roberto Romero via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz via second-round TKO (5:00, doctor’s stoppage)
Ramiz Brahimaj def. Mickey Gall via first-round KO (2:55)
Oban Elliott def. Bassil Hafez via third-round KO (0:40)
Eduarda Moura def. Veronica Hardy via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
UFC 309, held at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 16, 2024. This pay-per-view event was headlined by a heavyweight championship clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, with significant implications for both fighters’ careers and the UFC heavyweight division.
The main event of UFC 309 saw Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title against the former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic. The anticipation around this fight was immense, given its delayed nature from a previous cancellation due to Jones’ injury. Jones, who has often been regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, was looking to solidify his legacy at heavyweight, while Miocic aimed for a historic return to the top.
Jones showcased his mastery over the fight, controlling Miocic with precision striking and effective ground work. The fight concluded in the third round when Jones delivered a spinning back kick to Miocic’s ribs, leading to a technical knockout. This victory extended Jones’ unbeaten streak, adding another chapter to his storied career, and he hinted at possibly not retiring, opening doors for future blockbuster bouts like a matchup against Tom Aspinall, the interim champion.
The co-main event featured a rematch between former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler. This bout was significant as it was not just about redemption for Chandler but also about Oliveira re-establishing his dominance in the division. Oliveira dominated most of the fight, outmaneuvering Chandler with his striking and ground game. Despite a late surge from Chandler in the fifth round, which nearly turned the tables, Oliveira secured a unanimous decision victory, potentially setting himself up for another run at the lightweight title.
Bo Nickal, an unbeaten middleweight prospect, faced a significant test in Paul Craig. The fight went the distance, marking Nickal’s first time going to the scorecards. Despite the crowd’s mixed reactions and chants of “overrated,” Nickal showed his versatility by not relying on his wrestling, instead engaging in a striking battle, winning by unanimous decision.
In the women’s flyweight division, Viviane Araujo faced the rising star Karine Silva. Araujo, with her experience, managed to outmaneuver Silva, clinching a unanimous decision victory, showcasing her resilience and tactical acumen in the sport.
The prelims were no less exciting, with several fighters making their mark:
Jim Miller, the veteran fighter, added another highlight to his career by submitting Damon Jackson with a guillotine choke in the first round. His longevity and ability to still compete at a high level were evident.
Both newcomers to the UFC stage, Moura and Ruffy impressed with their performances. Moura, moving up in weight, secured a unanimous decision over Veronica Hardy, while Ruffy’s technical striking led him to a decision victory over James Llontop.
