Sun Nov 17 09:24:27 IST 2024: ## UFC 309: Jones and Miocic Set for Heavyweight Showdown at Madison Square Garden
**New York, NY** – Jon “Bones” Jones and Stipe Miocic will clash for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The highly anticipated fight follows a week of pre-fight drama, including a snubbed handshake at the press conference that was later rectified at the weigh-ins.
Jones, weighing in at 237.6 lbs, was notably lighter than the 42-year-old Miocic (238.6 lbs). The weigh-in ceremony itself was significant, using the same scales from Muhammad Ali’s 1974 fight with Joe Frazier. Jones, dubbed the “GOAT” by commentator Joe Rogan, expressed his excitement for the fight, while Miocic simply stated, “It’s about time finally. And new.”
Adding to the intrigue, interim champion Tom Aspinall, who was banned from the press conference, weighed in at 254.8 lbs. Aspinall’s presence has dominated fight week, with Jones repeatedly refusing to commit to a future fight with him, stating it wouldn’t benefit his legacy. The UFC President, Dana White, however, insists the winner of Jones vs. Miocic will face Aspinall.
The fight itself carries significant weight. A victory for Jones would be his first heavyweight title defense, adding to his already impressive record of 15 championship wins. Miocic, aiming for a historic third heavyweight title, hasn’t fought since 2021. The post-fight scenario is equally compelling, with both fighters hinting at potential retirement. Jones has hinted at a super-fight with Alex Pereira if victorious.
The event, described by the UFC as the biggest heavyweight bout in its history, will be available for live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app from 03:00 GMT on Sunday, 17 November. The outcome will not only determine the heavyweight champion but also the future of the division, potentially setting up a highly anticipated unification bout with Aspinall or triggering a retirement that alters the title picture.
First Piper 