Jones vs Miocic to Headline UFC 309 in November, Chandler vs Oliveira 2 Set For Co-Main Event

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones makes the first defense of his undisputed title against Stipe Miocic in the headliner of UFC 309 on November 16 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The long-awaited fight between the champion and the former title-holder was originally scheduled to headline UFC 295 at the same venue in New York City a year ago, but Jones pulled out after he suffered an injury that kept him out of action for the rest of 2023.

Jones claimed the title on his highly anticipated heavyweight debut at UFC 285 where he submitted the former interim champion Ciryl Gane in the first round to become the ninth multi-division champion in the UFC.

After clinching the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023, Jones had made known of his desire to fight Miocic, who last fought in the Octagon more than three years ago when he dropped the title to Francis Ngannou.

Miocic holds the UFC record for most consecutive heavyweight title defenses (three) and most finishes in UFC heavyweight title fights (four). The 42-year-old now hopes to earn status as a 3-time heavyweight champion.

Jones, who had made the most consecutive title defenses in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (8) and eleven successful title defenses (Overall), now aims at keeping his streak alive.

Meanwhile, the co-main event in New York City is set to be a 5-round rematch between former champion Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler. The fight announcement puts further doubts over Conor McGregor's return to the Octagon.

The bout comes three-and-a-half years after their championship bout in Houston at UFC 262 when Oliveira knocked out Chandler in a come-from-behind effort in May 2021.

Oliveira later went on to defend his belt once but comes into the bout on the back of two losses in his last three fights to Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. "Do Bronx" hopes to get back on track and maintain his spot in the title picture with a win.

Chandler, on the other hand, competes for the first time since his submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281. Since then, the former title challenger coached opposite McGregor on The Ultimate Fighter.

The two were set to fight at UFC 303 before an injury to McGregor delayed the matchup even further. The 38-year-old Chandler has called for a rematch with Oliveira multiple times, and the Iron finally gets his wish. Here is a look at the fights announced for the card: