Jon Jones will defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 tonight, a year after the fight was first scheduled.
Jones and Miocic were due to meet at Madison Square Garden last November, but a torn pectoral muscle forced “Bones” out of the fight – delaying his first title defence by 12 months. Now the former light-heavyweight champion, 37, and heavyweight great Miocic, 42, will meet at MSG at long last, though their fight has proven controversial.
When their bout fell through last year, Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich stepped up, with the Briton knocking out the Russian to become interim champion. Since then, Aspinall has even retained the interim belt – a rare occurrence in the UFC – leading many fans to see him as the true champion.
Jones, meanwhile, has not fought since winning the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023, and Miocic has not fought in almost four years. Furthermore, Miocic’s last fight ended in a vicious KO loss, and he and Jones have both hinted at retirement after tonight’s bout… potentially leaving Aspinall in the lurch.
Follow live updates and results from the main UFC 309 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 309 LIVE: Viviane Araujo vs Karine Silva
Women’s flyweight action now, as Viviane Araujo faces Karine Silva. Under way!
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 03:59
UFC 309 LIVE: Mauricio Ruffy vs James Llontop
Llontop is going forward, making this messy for Ruffy, who is slowing down.
Ruffy with some well-timed counters, though. Llontop investing in the body with straight shots. Now he kicks low.
Llontop is mainly orthodox now. He very slooooowly tries a single-leg, and Ruffy is able to shake it off.
Two hard inside low kicks from Llontop. Ruffy with a sharp punch on the turn! Lovely stuff.
And the final buzzer sounds.
Mauricio Ruffy def. James Llontop via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 03:41
UFC 309 LIVE: Mauricio Ruffy vs James Llontop
Llontop is pressing forward, keeping Ruffy moving and thinking.
But Ruffy lands a great, no-look left hook while he’s getting backed up, and he drops Llontop this time!!
For a second, it looks like this one might be done, as Ruffy pours on strikes… but Llontop manages to scramble back to his feet!
His left eye is swelling badly. Wheel kick from Ruffy. Hard straight by Llontop.
Blood is streaming down Llontop’s face now. I’m not sure if there’s a cut on his nose or an eye.
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 03:35
UFC 309 LIVE: Mauricio Ruffy vs James Llontop
After a bit of a delay, the pair are in the cage. And we’re under way.
Both fighters stand orthodox, though Llontop is teasing stance switches.
Ruffy misses with a biggggg overhand attempt. It’s a little cagey so far.
Now the 165lbers start to open up a bit more. Llontop is the busier of the two. Twice he lands crosses, with Ruffy just about landing hooks at the same time.
OH! Huge right cross by Ruffy, and Llontop stumbles backwards, but Ruffy throws a wild spinning kick and gets it awfully wrong!
A missed opportunity for Ruffy.
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 03:28
UFC 309 LIVE: Mauricio Ruffy vs James Llontop
Here’s the main card, in reverse order:
Jon Jones (champion) vs Stipe Miocic (heavyweight title)
Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler 2 (lightweight, five rounds)
Bo Nickal vs Paul Craig (middleweight)
Viviane Araujo vs Karine Silva (women's flyweight)
Mauricio Ruffy vs James Llontop (165lb catchweight)
So, Ruffy vs Llontop will get the main card started in a few moments…
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 03:08
Donald Trump returns to MSG weeks after controversial rally for UFC 309
Trump is in the building…
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 03:01
UFC 309 LIVE: Jonathan Martinez vs Marcus McGhee
A messy exchange ends with Martinez landing a left hook. Back comes McGhee with a low kick, then a combination of body shots, then another leg kick.
But it’s Martinez’s leg kicks that are doing greater damage!! McGhee is hobbling about now!
He’s even switched to orthodox. Martinez with a poor move, though, shooting for a clinch against the fence. What is he thinking??
Eventually the pair separate, and Martinez lands another debilitating leg kick. McGhee is all over the place. His balance is so off.
But Martinez wasted a whole minute grappling! Where was the fight IQ? Why was his corner not screaming at him to back off?
McGhee makes it to the bell, and he should get the decision.
He does: Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 02:51
UFC 309 LIVE: Jonathan Martinez vs Marcus McGhee
McGhee is still a step ahead, but Martinez lands a winging left hand now.
McGhee with a lead uppercut into a cross, though. Nice. He then sets up a right hook with a southpaw one-two.
Tidy jabs from McGhee, but Martinez breaks up that stream of shots with a cross. Now a step-in elbow! Great work from Martinez.
He’s coming on stronger now. Ouch, harrrrsh low kick by him in the final seconds of the round.
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 02:45
UFC 309 LIVE: Jonathan Martinez vs Marcus McGhee
One more prelim! Jonathan Martinez faces Marcus McGhee at bantamweight, with some fans and fighters expecting the bout of the night here.
There’s a slight delay before this one starts, with ref Herb Dean taking issue with the length of Martinez’s toenails! How bizarre. “I’m not gonna clip those now,” says the official…
Both men are standing southpaw. McGhee tries two right hooks in a row. Now a left. He kicks low.
Martinez with very little output so far. He’s thrown six strikes in three minutes, landing just two.
Good jab from McGhee, then more leg kicks. Martinez with a decent jab and a heavy leg kick.
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 02:39
UFC 309 LIVE: Jonathan Martinez vs Marcus McGhee
One more prelim! Jonathan Martinez faces Marcus McGhee at bantamweight, with some fans and fighters expecting the bout of the night here.
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 02:26
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