Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic end layoffs with UFC 309 clash

Jon Jones returns to the Octagon for the first time in 20 months when he puts his heavyweight title on the line against Stipe Miocic in UFC 309 on Saturday in New York.

Jones (27-1 MMA) last fought in March 2023, when he won the then-vacant heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane with a first-round submission at UFC 285.

It was Jones' first fight in three years after he vacated the light heavyweight championship, which ended a decade-long stretch of title defenses against some of the sport's former champions, including Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Mauricio Rua and Rashad Evans.

Jones said Thursday he isn't looking past Miocic (20-4 MMA) to focus on other noteworthy challengers, such as UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira or interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

"Right now, I'm focused on Saturday," Jones said. "Saturday is just a few days away, and that's the biggest thing for me right now."

Miocic, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is fresh off a lengthy layoff from the sport. He last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021 against Francis Ngannou, the current PFL champion. Ngannou won the fight by knockout to become the UFC champion at the time, beginning an era that saw him defend the belt just once amidst eventual failed contract negotiations with the promotion.

Miocic called out Las Vegas oddsmakers, suggesting he must prove his doubters wrong again as a sizable betting underdog.

"Nothing new to me," Miocic said. "I train just as hard as anyone else."

He added, "Vegas hates me. I'm gonna keep it that way."

The co-main event features a rematch of a UFC lightweight title bout from 2021. Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA), who won the belt three years before losing it for missing weight the next year, opposes Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA) in a non-championship match. The winner will likely remain in title contention entering 2025.

Chandler initially was scheduled to face Conor McGregor in June in the main event of UFC 303, but a toe injury sidelined McGregor.

UFC 309 main card (start time 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV)

Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, for Jones' UFC heavyweight title

Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler, lightweight

Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig, middleweight

Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva, women's flyweight

Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop, catchweight