Jon Jones Ready for UFC 309 Title Defense Against Stipe Miocic

Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic faced off one last time before their highly anticipated UFC 309 heavyweight title fight on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. After Jones initially refused to shake Miocic’s hand at Thursday’s press conference, he accepted the gesture at the weigh-ins where the crowd cheered. Jones, the defending champion weighed 237.6lb, 11lb lighter than Miocic, who weighed in at 248.6lb.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan introduced Jones as the “GOAT,” and Jones expressed excitement for the fight, saying, “Tomorrow is an awesome opportunity to display this gift god has given me. I’m super excited, I feel great. And still.” The weigh-ins took place on the same scales that Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier used for their iconic 1974 fight. After the weigh-ins, Jones stayed to pose for photos and engage with fans while Miocic left promptly, saying, “It’s about time finally. And new.”

Interim champion Tom Aspinall, who had been banned from Thursday’s press conference was absent. Aspinall, who weighed in at 254.8lb had been a central figure throughout the fight week. However, Jones made it clear that he has no interest in fighting Aspinall, dismissing it as “nothing for my legacy.” Jones, 37 defends the heavyweight title he won in 2023, aiming to extend his legacy after moving up from light-heavyweight.

Miocic, 42 hopes to become the UFC’s first three-time heavyweight champion. While the fight still carries intrigue, questions about the heavyweight division’s future loom large. Jon Jones may consider a super fight with Alex Pereira if he wins while UFC president Dana White insists the winner must face Aspinall.