Tag: UFC 309

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic Title Fight Official For UFC 309 On Nov. 16

A year on from their originally scheduled showdown, UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic will finally do battle inside the prestigious surroundings of Madison Square Garden. Not many topics have remained at the surface this year quite like the heavyweight championship conversation, which boasts two titleholders in the form of Jones and Tom […]

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A year on from their originally scheduled showdown, UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic will finally do battle inside the prestigious surroundings of Madison Square Garden.

Not many topics have remained at the surface this year quite like the heavyweight championship conversation, which boasts two titleholders in the form of Jones and Tom Aspinall.

Although the Brit captured interim gold courtesy of Jones vs. Miocic getting postponed in late 2023, both “Bones” and the UFC have long remained firm in dismissing calls for a unification fight.

And in spite of plenty of campaigning from Aspinall and many in the MMA community, Jones’ first title defense is now officially set to come against the returning Miocic, who hasn’t been in action since suffering a devastating knockout at the hands of Francis Ngannou over three years ago.

The promotion confirmed to ESPN that the two legends will give an MSG clash a second go, headlining the UFC 309 pay-per-view on November 16.

Jones Set For First Defense 20 Months On From UFC Heavyweight Title Win

Jones (27-1, 1 NC), a former champ at 205 pounds, last entered the cage in March 2023. Over three years on from his final title defense in the lower weight class, the Rochester native debuted at heavyweight by submitting Ciryl Gane in one round to capture the then-vacant title.

His attempt to get his reign quickly underway with a defense eight months later didn’t come to fruition after a torn pectoral tendon forced him out of the MSG-held UFC 295 last November.

That injury also significantly delayed the comeback of Miocic (20-4), whose lengthy layoff has been extended by a year. The Ohio native’s previous outing came inside the Apex, where his second reign on the heavyweight throne came to a thunderous halt courtesy of Ngannou. He’d previously defeated Daniel Cormier in back-to-back fights to edge their trilogy.

With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 309 are as follows:

  • Jon Jones (C) vs. Stipe Miocic (heavyweight championship main event)
  • Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler (lightweight co-main event)
  • Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov (light heavyweight)
  • Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders (middleweight)
  • Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva (women’s flyweight)
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee (bantamweight)
  • Karine Silva vs. Viviane Araújo (women’s flyweight)
  • Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura (women’s flyweight)
Jon Jones
Image: UFC.com

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Michael Chandler mocks Conor McGregor after booking new fight for UFC 309: ‘You’re out of the loop’

Michael Chandler mocks Conor McGregor after booking new fight for UFC 309: 'You're out of the loop'Booking a two-year hiatus-snapping return to action later this year following a failed grudge fight with Conor McGregor, Michael…

Michael Chandler mocks Conor McGregor after booking new fight for UFC 309: 'You're out of the loop'

Booking a two-year hiatus-snapping return to action later this year following a failed grudge fight with Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler has claimed the Dubliner is now “out of the loop” after booking a rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in November.

Chandler, who retains the number six rank at the lightweight limit, will be sidelined for two years when he returns at UFC 309 later this annum, most recently suffering a third round rear-naked choke submission loss to former interim champion, Dustin Poirier.

Charles Oliveira set to fight Michael Chandler in five round rematch at UFC 309

And missing out on a grudge fight with former two-weight titleholder, McGregor since the duo featured as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 last year, Michael Chandler has now booked a five round rematch clash with the above-mentioned former champion, Oliveira at UFC 309 in New York later this annum.

Stressing his own desire to make his return as soon as possible amid links to a 2025 comeback, McGregor even vowed to fight in the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) overnight — urging the UFC to offer him an “exemption” to compete in the ring.

Conor McGregor confirms he will fight Michael Chandler at the end of the year UFC

“I’ve got two fights left on my UFC contract,” Conor McGregor told assembled media after BKFC 66. “My opponent that I was scheduled to fight has rescheduled another bout. I would love maybe an exemption, or maybe a joint partnership, Bare Knuckle-UFC, similar to McGregor Sports and Entertainment and Mayweather Promotions. Some sort of agreement where we can get busy. I need to be busy and right now, I’m working to get there. So let’s see what happens.”

Like I said, I’ve got two fights left on the contract and it’s taking a minute,” Conor McGregor explained. “But patience is one of the most important skills a human being can possess, study, learn, and implement, and that’s where I’m at right now.”

Michael Chandler pokes fun at Conor McGregor amid UFC 309 booking

And responding to the Crumlin counter striker’s comments at the BKFC 66 post-fight press conference, Chandler appeared to offer an apology — albeit in a rather tongue-in-cheek fashion.

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“Carry on doing what you’re doing” – sorry you’re out of the loop @TheNotoriousMMA,” Michael Chandler posted at Conor McGregor on his official X account.

Charles Oliveira set to fight Michael Chandler in five round rematch at UFC 309

Charles Oliveira set to fight Michael Chandler in five round rematch at UFC 309Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira is set to return to action at UFC 309 in November — booking…

Charles Oliveira set to fight Michael Chandler in five round rematch at UFC 309

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira is set to return to action at UFC 309 in November — booking an impromptu five round co-headliner against former-foe, Michael Chandler at Madison Square Garden — with the latter missing out on a fight with ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor, albeit for the timebeing.

Oliveira, the current number two ranked divisional contender, has been out of action since he featured on the main card of UFC 300 back in April — suffering a controversial split decision loss against surging number one contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

Charles Oliveira is 'Dying to fight' and ready to hunt at 155lbs

As for Chandler, the former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion has been out of action for come two years by the time his November comeback rolls around, most recently succumbing to a rear-naked choke defeat against common-foe, Dustin Poirier.

Charles Oliveira set to rematch Michael Chandler in UFC 309 co-headliner

And as confirmed by UFC CEO, Dana White via Barstool Sports during an overnight interview, Michael Chandler has now elected to move on from a failed grudge fight with the above-mentioned, McGregor, instead booking a hiatus-snapping return against former gold holder, Charles Oliveira.

Linked with a return in the time since his loss to Armenian contender, Tsarukyan, Sao Paulo finishing ace, Oliveira most recently landed a win back in the summer of last year in a one-sided opening round ground strikes TKO win over surging perennial challenger Beneil Dariush in Canada.

Charles Oliveira Next Fight

In his own most recent win back in 2022, Chandler stopped former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson with a hellacious second round high-kick knockout.

chandler ufc 274 2

Also confirmed by promotional boss, White overnight, heavyweight champion, Jon Jones will headline the above-mentioned UFC 309 card in a rescheduled pairing with the returning former two-time undisputed titleholder, Stipe Miocic.

Michael Chandler Moves On From Conor McGregor, Rematches Charles Oliveira At UFC 309

It seems that Michael Chandler finally got sick of waiting. For the past year-and-a-half, Chandler has been penciled in as the return opponent for Conor McGregor. The former two-division UFC champion had his comeback announced toward the start of 2023, with the Irishman scheduled to coach opposite “Iron” on The Ultimate Fighter before sharing the […]

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It seems that Michael Chandler finally got sick of waiting.

For the past year-and-a-half, Chandler has been penciled in as the return opponent for Conor McGregor. The former two-division UFC champion had his comeback announced toward the start of 2023, with the Irishman scheduled to coach opposite “Iron” on The Ultimate Fighter before sharing the cage with him.

But after 2023 passed by without that matchup reaching the Octagon, talk of a UFC 300 headliner dissipated, and an official fight date in the form of UFC 303 fell through, another calendar year looks set to come and go with the absence of “The Notorious” star.

With that, McGregor’s fans will seemingly be waiting until 2025 for his next fight. One man who won’t be waiting that long, however, is Chandler.

Plenty have been urging the former Bellator champ to move on and take another fight. Despite frequently dismissing those calls, it seems that Chandler has now listened. After speaking with UFC CEO Dana White, Barstool Sports’ Robbie Fox reported in a social media video that Chandler will indeed take a fight amid the uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s return.

That bout? A five-round rematch with former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on November 16.

Chandler vs. Oliveira 2 Set Three Years On From Title Fight

The major news means Chandler (23-8) and Oliveira (34-10, 1 NC) will run back their May 2021 showdown, which came just two months before the most recent Octagon appearance for McGregor.

That bout marked the second UFC outing for Chandler, who debuted earlier in the year with an emphatic first-round knockout of Dan Hooker in Abu Dhabi. While the decision to grant him a shot caused debate, “Iron” came within inches of a title crowning in the opening round of the UFC 262 main event.

But after “Do Bronx” survived, he quickly landed a fight-changing left hook to drop Chandler seconds into round two, setting up a memorable TKO finish and securing championship glory for the Brazilian.

Oliveira has since fallen from the throne and failed to regain his place on it opposite Islam Makhachev. Most recently, the ex-champ was unsuccessful in his bid for number one contender status in narrow fashion against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 this past April.

Chandler, meanwhile, has had his hand raised just once, brutally knoking out Tony Ferguson in 2022. Aside from that, the 38-year-old has suffered defeats to Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier, with his submission setback to the latter in November 2022 marking his last walk to the cage.

With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 309 are as follows:

  • Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler (lightweight co-main event)
  • Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov (light heavyweight)
  • Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders (middleweight)
  • Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva (women’s flyweight)
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee (bantamweight)
  • Karine Silva vs. Viviane Araújo (women’s flyweight)
  • Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura (women’s flyweight)
Charles Oliveira
Image: UFC/YouTube

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Dustin Poirier vs. Colby Covington – Bisping Likes Rumored UFC 309 Fight

Dustin Poirier vs. Colby Covington - Bisping Likes Rumored UFC 309 FightMichael Bisping likes the sound of a scrap between Dustin Poirier and Colby Covington. After coming up short in…

Dustin Poirier vs. Colby Covington - Bisping Likes Rumored UFC 309 Fight

Michael Bisping likes the sound of a scrap between Dustin Poirier and Colby Covington.

After coming up short in his third and final shot at the lightweight world title, ‘The Diamond’ left the door open for a return should something enticing come his way. Enter Covington, one of the most outspoken and outlandish characters in the UFC.

Colby Covington and Dustin Poirier

Recent rumors have suggested that Poirier and Covington could collide at UFC 309 when the promotion heads back to Madison Square Garden for a pay-per-view event tentatively scheduled for November 9.

Discussing the possibility of a fight between the pair of three-time title challengers, Bisping believes it would present a good opportunity for ‘Chaos’ to get back into the title picture while allowing Poirier the chance to score some redemption for his friend, Jorge Masvidal.

Colby Covington and Dustin Poirier

“He’s [Colby Covington] got his opportunities,” Bisping said on his podcast with Adam Catterall. “He’s not getting that opportunity again, anytime soon. He needs something big. He needs something juicy. He needs something to get himself up for it. Dustin Poirier is that name. A legend of the game. A guy that has been there, done it, got the T-shirt. You’ve just mentioned beef. Bit of bad blood. Dustin Poirier’s mates with Jorge Masvidal, he needs to get that one back for his pal, don’t he?” (h/t MMA News).

Bisping thinks the build-up for Colby Covington vs. Dustin Poirier would be ‘crazy’

Like Poirier, Covington is 2-3 in his last five fights. But unlike Poirier, all of those losses for Covington have come in UFC title fights. His only wins in the last five years have come against Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal — two fighters who aren’t even with the promotion anymore.

You’d have to go back to 2018 just to find a win for Covington that came against a fighter still on the UFC roster.

Still, ‘Chaos’ has proven himself to be a valuable asset for the promotion, primarily because of his impeccable ability to sell a fight. Bisping thinks that could mean big business for the UFC should they see fit to pair up one of MMA’s top trash talkers with a heavy-hitting fan favorite.

“Listen, Colby, say what you want about him. The man’s a promotion machine. With all like the personal stuff that they can go to, They would blow that fight up, like crazy. I’d want to see it.”

Covington has not competed since a decisive decision loss against Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in what will hopefully be his final shot at UFC gold.

Colby Covington and Dustin Poirier

Jon Jones comfortable with legacy, declines Tom Aspinall fight: ‘I’ll leave you with blue balls’

Jon Jones comfortable with legacy, declines Tom Aspinall fight: 'I’ll leave you with blue balls'Amid his bold comments aimed at fellow heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall ahead of his own expected return at UFC…

Jon Jones comfortable with legacy, declines Tom Aspinall fight: 'I’ll leave you with blue balls'

Amid his bold comments aimed at fellow heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall ahead of his own expected return at UFC 309 later this year, Jon Jones appears comfortable in his expected decision to avoid a title unification clash with the British favorite.

Jones, a former two-time light heavyweight champion and a current heavyweight gold holder, has been sidelined since he made his divisional bow a weight class higher back in March of last year, submitting Ciryl Gane with a dominant opening round guillotine choke submission win.

230305jones1

As for Atherton native, Aspinall, the current interim champion co-headlined UFC 304 back in July, defending that crown in a dominant first round knockout win over Curtis Blaydes, avenging his sole defeat in the promotion to boot in an impressive stoppage win.

And earlier this week, Rochester native, Jones appeared to reach tipping point on his rivalry with the British fighter, aiming some vulgar comments in his direction on social media.

“This dude (Tom Aspinall) literally has my large black c*ck in his mouth every week,” Jon Jones posted in the comments section on his official Instagram account. “I’m flattered. I absolutely guarantee he will not win more world championships than me. That’s truly all that matters at the end of the day. There’s been many champions, no one like me. I sleep good at night.”

Jon Jones launches expletive-Filled rant aimed at Tom Aspinall amid speculation about future fight

Jon Jones appears to rule out Tom Aspinall fight again

And over the course of the weekend, former pound-for-pound number one, Jones claimed he would likely leave Aspinall “blue-balled” and would skirt a desired title unification showdown after he returns against Miocic in November at Madison Square Garden.

Jon Jones5

“Maybe I’ll leave you with blue balls, but my legacy will be just fine,” Jon Jones posted on his official X account. “I’ve done way too much work in this game. There’s people around the world that’s been watching me fight since they can remember. He would have to go on and win like 10 championships at least in order for that to happen. The work I put in, that body of work ain’t getting touch no time soon.”