UFC 309: The last time we see Jon Jones?

Michael Bolton

UFC 309 will see arguably the greatest fighter of all time face the best heavyweight the sport has seen, as Jon Jones takes on Stipe Miocic.

A fight a long time in the making, this was originally scheduled for UFC 295 a year ago, but an injury to Jones saw it postponed, with Tom Aspinall becoming the interim champion.

After dominating the light-heavyweight division for over a decade, Jones moved up to heavyweight at UFC 285 following a three-year break from the sport.

His heavyweight debut was a success, submitting Cyril Gane in the first round to become heavyweight champion.

What Jones has achieved in the sport is unlikely to be replicated. Defeating several former champions, with a 27-1 record, and becoming champion in two different weight divisions, his achievements in the sport see him viewed as the greatest of all time.

However, after returning from a serious injury, and a lack of experience at heavyweight, Miocic will be a tough challenge.

The fighter with the most title wins in the heavyweight division, Miocic makes return having not fought since being knocked out by Francis Ngannou in March 2021 at UFC 260.

After spending so long away from the sport, questions remain as to what Miocic we will see. However, if the former two-time champion returns with his clever boxing and movement, he could cause Jones some problems.

Expect Jones to use his wrestling to take the fight to the ground, and at times keep the fight at a distance with his kicks and elbows.

With Jones returning from injury and Miocic away from the sport for so long, both fighters have questions to answer. However, with their experience and success, both are more than capable of making this a fight to remember.

Final farewell?

Jones has hinted this could be his final fight, depending on how Saturday goes.

Should he lose or even win unconvincingly, Jones may step away from the sport having completed so much and little else to prove.

However, he has also hinted at a super-fight against light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, one of the most powerful fighters in MMA.

For many fans, Saturday should be Jones v Aspinall. On short notice, Aspinall defeated Sergi Pavlovich to win the interim title, and defended it against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

A young, quick, powerful, well rounded fighter, the English man would arguably cause Jones some of the biggest problems he has ever faced.

Despite fans calling for the fight, Jones has been keen to distance himself from this idea, and has been dismissive of Aspinall in the build up to Saturday.

Return of Chandler

In the co-main event, Michael Chandler makes his return after two years as he takes on Charles Olivera in the lightweight division.

After coaching against Conor McGregor in the Ultimate Fighter series, Chandler waited and waited for the fight against McGregor, which never materialised.

With his return to the sport unlikely, Chandler has moved on to face Olivera in a rematch of the UFC 262 main event, which saw Olivera win the lightweight title.

After a tough first round, Olivera knocked Chandler out in the second round back in May 2021 to secure the title.

In one of the great stories of the sport, Olivera went on a 12 fight unbeaten run, including wins over Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, before his loss to Islam Makachev at UFC 280.

Olivera's last fight was a split-decision loss against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, but a win this Saturday will firmly but him back in the title picture.

The start of this fight will be crucial. Chandler starts fights quick with his explosive power, but has often left behind the game plan for the benefit of entertainment for the fans.

Olivera has showed he is dangerous at all times in the fight, particularly on the ground, where he is capable of a submission from anywhere.

Elsewhere on the main card, rising prospect Bo Nickal faces his toughest test yet as he comes up against Paul Craig in the middleweight division.

Nickal is 3-0 so far in the UFC since making his debut in 2023, with his wrestling and power catching the eyes of fans.

Seen as a future champion by many in the sport, Nickal has appeared on some of the UFC's biggest cards since his debut, showing how highly he is rated.

A win over Craig could put him not too far away from a ranked fight. However, Craig has been known to stop highly rated prospects.

The Scottish fighter is the only person to defeat Magomed Ankalaev, and was also the first person to defeat former light-heavyweight champion Jamall Hill.

Nickal goes into the fight as the favourite and will back his power and grappling against Craig, but will be aware of the danger he poses, particularly in the guard, where he can submit anyone,