Tag: UFC 309

Jon Jones’ Coach On Retirement Rumors: MMA Doesn’t Treat Aging Fighters Kindly

There has been a lot of talk over whether UFC 309 will be the last time that Jon Jones competes inside the Octagon. The heavyweight champion recently said himself that this is looking “more than likely” now that his title defence is official for November 16 in New York. Many expected that his initially planned […]

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There has been a lot of talk over whether UFC 309 will be the last time that Jon Jones competes inside the Octagon.

The heavyweight champion recently said himself that this is looking “more than likely” now that his title defence is official for November 16 in New York.

Many expected that his initially planned fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 last year would be his last dance but this was pushed back by a year by Jones’ injury.

Now, as they enter what may be his final training camp, Jones’ long-time coach Brandon Gibson gave his thoughts on whether this is the curtain call for “Bones”.

Brandon Gibson Says He Believes That UFC 309 Will Be Jon Jones’ Last Fight

In a recent interview with From The Stands, Gibson was asked whether he believes, as a close friend of Jones’ for many years, that this truly is it.

There has been a lot of criticism from the fans regarding the fight with Stipe Miocic with Jones regularly responding to the idea that he should be fighting interim champion Tom Aspinall instead, or at least sticking around to fight him after UFC 309.

Gibson said that in his opinion, he thinks the champion will walk away but that isn’t a reflection on where his current skill level is at.

The coach believes that Jones could continue to stay at the top of the sport for years to come but in the interest of leaving on his own terms, we could see the consensus greatest of all time leave his gloves inside the Octagon inside Madison Square Garden.

“I do [think it’s his last fight]. This is a dangerous game. It’s a dangerous game and it’s not one that treats an aging fighter kindly. I always encourage all my fighters to be out before, to be able to pick their exit and Jon, more than any other fighter I believe, has earned and deserves to be able to pick and choose when he leaves. I think he has plenty more in the tank, I see his skill set every week against high-level opponents, I think right now he’s better than he’s ever been, oh my goodness. He’s really developed into an amazing heavyweight… I think he can continue to fight the very best for a long time to come but he’s also deserved to exit if he chooses to do so.”

Read also: ‘Selfish’ UFC Told To Financially Compensate Michael Chandler For Conor McGregor Wait

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Conor McGregor Reveals Preferred Opponent For UFC Return After Chandler vs. Oliveira Booking

After last weekend’s announcement of Michael Chandler competing later this year in a fight that does not involve him, many are now left questioning what is next for Conor McGregor in the UFC. UFC CEO Dana White announced last weekend that Chandler will not be facing McGregor next. Instead, “Iron” will face former lightweight champion […]

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After last weekend’s announcement of Michael Chandler competing later this year in a fight that does not involve him, many are now left questioning what is next for Conor McGregor in the UFC.

UFC CEO Dana White announced last weekend that Chandler will not be facing McGregor next. Instead, “Iron” will face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a five-round co-main event at UFC 309 on Nov. 16.

White added at the time that they were looking at some point in 2025 for McGregor’s next fight, reiterating comments he made a month earlier following the Dana White’s Contender Series season premiere that McGregor will not compete in 2024.

In the immediate aftermath, McGregor expressed confusion about his placement in the UFC following the booking of Oliveira vs. Chandler 2. A week later, however, the former UFC two-division champion has seemed to have changed his tone.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani during the DAZN broadcast of Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois on Saturday night, McGregor claimed he’s unbothered by waiting until 2025.

Conor McGregor Still Wants Michael Chandler, Says It Is A ‘Must’ To Fight Out UFC Contract

“It will be 2025,” McGregor said. “It is what it is. I just take it on board and just rock on. And my job is just to be in the gym, be in the gym, be in shape. One thing is for sure: whenever it is, and wherever it is, I will be 100 percent ready. That’s all I can focus on right now.”

McGregor added that it is a “must” to compete twice in 2025. McGregor has two fights remaining on his current UFC contract but said he was unsure what happens when he becomes a free agent.

White, last week, stated that McGregor vs. Chandler is not completely shut down and could still happen after Chandler fights Oliveira.

When asked about who he wants across the cage from him in his return, McGregor, while uncertain, claimed plans are still unchanged in his mind. He wants to finish his business with Chandler.

“Man, who knows now?” McGregor said. “It does not matter. I’d like it to be Chandler; I’d like that to be squared away. I wish him well against Oliveira, but let’s see how it goes.”

McGregor has not been seen in the UFC since breaking his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

Chandler and Oliveira, meanwhile, previously fought in the main event of UFC 262 in 2021, facing each other for the then-vacant UFC lightweight championship. “Do Bronx” scored the win via second-round TKO.

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Paul Craig Outlines Plan To ‘Out-MMA’ Bo Nickal At UFC 309

Paul Craig is the next fighter in line to try and halt the undefeated winning streak of super middleweight prospect, Bo Nickal. Following Nickal’s third consecutive win and finish last time out against Cody Brundage at UFC 300, this is his biggest step up to date. Craig may be coming off of two losses but […]

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Paul Craig is the next fighter in line to try and halt the undefeated winning streak of super middleweight prospect, Bo Nickal.

Following Nickal’s third consecutive win and finish last time out against Cody Brundage at UFC 300, this is his biggest step up to date.

Craig may be coming off of two losses but they’ve come to two of the top fighters in the division right now in Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho.

With his lethal submission skills, “Bearjew” is a huge threat to anyone once the fight hits the floor, which makes this match-up against Nickal’s stellar wrestling pedigree even more interesting.

Paul Craig Says He Doesn’t Plan On Trying To Outwrestle Bo Nickal

Ahead of their meeting at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, Craig spoke about this fight in a recent YouTube video that was put up on his podcast (Leather’d Podcast) channel.

The Scotsman spoke about his expectations for this fight and how he is preparing to take on the 28-year-old that no one has been able to handle thus far.

Craig said that though working on his wrestling defense is obviously an important aspect of his training for this fight, he doesn’t want to become too focused on it because he isn’t going to suddenly be able to beat his opponent at his own game.

Instead, he believes that his key to victory in this fight is to win the contest in all other areas, rather than attempting to beat Nickal in a wrestling match.

“With someone like Bo Nickal, you’re not going to learn to wrestle like him within a fight camp so it’s wise to say that yep, I’m going to be working on these wrestling defenses but what I should be working on is good footwork, good striking and good grappling and that’s the keys to victory. We’re not going to outwrestle him, we’re going to out-MMA him.”

Read also: Daniel Cormier On Jon Jones’ Likely Retirement: ‘There Is Work Left To Be Done’ 

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