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Jon Jones finally returns to face Stipe Miocic as UFC 309 headline matchup

The long-awaited heavyweight clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic is officially locked in as the main event of UFC 309.

The showdown is set for November 16th, with Madison Square Garden providing the stage for this monumental battle.

The UFC made the announcement during the UFC 306 broadcast, confirming the blockbuster matchup along with a highly-anticipated lightweight rematch.

Michael Chandler steps back into the Octagon for the first time in two years to face Charles Oliveira since he has pronounced publicly that he’s tired of waiting for a matchup with Conor McGregor.

At the top of the bill, Jones returns to defend his heavyweight crown for the first time since capturing it in dominant fashion against Ciryl Gane back in March 2023.

Originally slated to meet Miocic last year, a pectoral tear during training delayed their collision course. Now, nearly a year later, Jones aims to cement his legacy by defeating one of the greatest heavyweights of all time—with rumors that both will retire afterward.

For Miocic, this marks his return to competition nearly four years after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Francis Ngannou that cost him his heavyweight title.

His absence since then has only fueled speculation about his future, with his age and inactivity suggesting a potential retirement after the Jones fight, win or lose.

As the date draws closer, interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall is likely to be watching closely, knowing he could be next in line for whoever leaves the Garden victorious.

UFC 309 continues the promotion’s legacy at Madison Square Garden, a venue that has become synonymous with some of the biggest nights in MMA since New York lifted its ban on the sport in 2016.

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