Two MMA legends clashed at Madison Square Garden as Jon Jones defended his UFC heavyweight title against former champion Stipe Miocic on November 16.
Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters, dominated the light heavyweight division before moving to heavyweight. The 37-year-old New Yorker last fought in 2023, defeating Ciryl Gane to claim the heavyweight belt.
Stipe Miocic, 42, holds the record for the most title defenses in UFC heavyweight history. However, his last fight was a loss to Francis Ngannou in 2021. After a long hiatus, Miocic aimed to return to the octagon in spectacular fashion. This fight was delayed last year due to Jones’ injury, adding to the intrigue of what could potentially be Miocic’s final bout.
Co-Main Event: Oliveira vs. Chandler 2
In the co-main event, Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler faced off in a rematch of their 2021 clash, where Oliveira won the lightweight title. Since then, Oliveira has gone 3-2, losing the belt and several opportunities to reclaim it. The record-holder for multiple UFC achievements was eager to reestablish himself as a top contender.
Michael Chandler, a former Bellator champion, entered the fight with a 1-2 record since their first encounter. His inactivity stemmed from waiting for a potential bout with Conor McGregor, which never materialized. Shifting focus, Chandler now aimed to secure UFC gold.
Live Updates and Results
Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva
- 11:16 p.m. ET: Araujo dominated the final round with a takedown and aggressive striking. Despite Silva’s attempts to provoke her, Araujo won via unanimous decision.
- 11:03 p.m. ET: Silva landed a powerful overhand shot that rocked Araujo, but Araujo countered with sharp uppercuts and controlled exchanges.
- 10:55 p.m. ET: The fight began with Silva pressing forward while Araujo landed precise counter-strikes.
Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop
- 10:43 p.m. ET: A bloody battle ended with Ruffy winning via unanimous decision after landing decisive strikes in the final round.
- 10:37 p.m. ET: Ruffy showcased explosive power, landing a spinning back fist and solid combinations. Llontop retaliated but struggled to gain control.
Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
- 9:53 p.m. ET: McGhee earned a unanimous decision win, dominating with boxing combinations and kicks, despite Martinez’s attempts to counter.
Jim Miller vs. Jared Jackson
- 9:11 p.m. ET: Veteran Jim Miller secured a guillotine choke submission in the first round, showing he still has plenty left in the tank.
Stay tuned for comprehensive analysis, predictions, and highlights from UFC 309.
