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: Regular prelims
Onto the regular prelims! In reverse order, we’ve got:
Jonathan Martinez vs Marcus McGhee (bantamweight)
Jim Miller vs Damon Jackson (lightweight)
David Onama vs Roberto Romero (lightweight)
Marcin Tybura vs Jhonata Diniz (heavyweight)
A reminder that Chris Weidman vs Eryk Anders was cancelled on VERY short notice, due to Anders being ill.
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 01:07
UFC 309 LIVE: Mickey Gall vs Ramiz Brahimaj
Next up, Mickey Gall vs Ramiz Brahimaj at welterweight.
Gall has had an underwhelming UFC career in all honesty, but it began with his famous submission of CM Punk in 2016 – when the latter, a famous WWE star, made his MMA debut.
Gall’s jiu-jitsu has always been his greatest strength, but he’s been working on his striking in recent times. Can he show improvements here?
One or two clean, well-timed crosses suggest he can. But Brahimaj has moments of success in the opening minutes, too, including a grazing knee in the clinch.
Ohhhh!!!! And now Brahimaj SLEEPS Gall!
He switches stances mid-combination, landing a left hook and right hook, and the latter punch foldssssss Gall.
Ramiz Brahimaj def. Mickey Gall via first-round KO (right hook, 2:55)
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 00:45
UFC 309 LIVE: Bassil Hafez vs Oban Elliott
Some better work from Hafez as the round goes on, but the fight is still largely being fought on Elliott’s terms.
The Welshman is managing range well, utilising kicks nicely. He lands a crisp left hook now.
Elliott is also starting to press forward more. Both men land in a tense exchange.
Elliott with a front kick to the face! He might have been trying a crescent kick, in fact. He then leans back to avoid a one-two; that was close.
OH! Elliott gets the finish early in round three!
He drops Hafez with a brutal overhand right, then pours on punches and hammer fists! Eventually, referee Marc Goddard steps in!
In truth, Elliott might have been allowed to land a few shots too many there…
It looked like he knocked out Hafez, then woke him back up, before Goddard finally intervened.
Oban Elliott def. Bassil Hafez via third-round KO (punches and hammer fists, 0:40)
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 00:24
UFC 309 LIVE: Bassil Hafez vs Oban Elliott
Onto welterweight action, between Bassil Hafez and Wales’s Oban Elliott.
Both men stand orthodox. There’s some early grappling between the pair, against the fence, initiated by Hafez.
They separate, and Elliott lands a hard body kick. He throws more and eventually goes too low on one, and is warned.
More body kicks by the Welshman, but they’re front kicks now.
Hafez has the centre of the ring and misses with a winging overhand right. He lands a spiteful kick of his own, and Elliott wags his finger to say it didn’t hurt him.
Good first round for Elliott.
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 00:16
UFC 309 LIVE: Donald Trump reported to return to MSG tonight – weeks after controversial rally
Donald Trump will reportedly return to Madison Square Garden tonight, attending UFC 309 with Dana White – president of the mixed martial arts promotion.
Alex Pattle17 November 2024 00:06
UFC 309 LIVE: Veronica Hardy vs Eduarda Moura
Before the final round, Hardy’s husband – in her corner – calls for more action and more risks.
Hardy obliges as the round progresses, but will it be enough as we go to the judges’ scorecards?
Not enough! Moura gets it done!
Eduarda Moura def. Veronica Hardy via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Alex Pattle16 November 2024 23:58
UFC 309 LIVE: Veronica Hardy vs Eduarda Moura
Hardy, with her husband in her corner, stands southpaw. Moura is orthodox.
Moura takes the centre of the ring for most of the first round, pressing forward. She switches stances here and there.
Hardy invests in the body of her opponent throughout.
Moura with a fair few missed punches from range, loading up big.
Hardy with a body kick late in the round, and Moura catches it, taking down her opponent.
Another takedown for Moura, who drags down Hardy by the cage wall.
Moura has the back, but Hardy does well to stand quite quickly.
Moura controls Hardy for the bulk of the round, and late on, she ends up in Hardy’s guard by the fence.
Hard elbow from Moura, who then stands and eats a couple of up-kicks by Hardy.
Alex Pattle16 November 2024 23:51
UFC 309 LIVE: Veronica Hardy vs Eduarda Moura
Okay, the first fight is finally here; the broadcast team had to fill some time, of course, with Weidman vs Anders cancelled.
Veronica Hardy vs Eduarda Moura, a women’s flyweight contest, gets us started.
Hardy is the wife of former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy.
Alex Pattle16 November 2024 23:33
