Let’s just get straight into it. What was the point of that? What did Jon Jones’ victory over Stipe Miocic really prove? Absolutely nothing. Going into UFC 309, there was a lot of talk surrounding the matchup, especially considering the hype around Jon facing Stipe, but in the end, what did we really see? Nothing that changed the narrative. If anything, it only reinforced the doubts people had before the fight.
The crowd’s reaction to Jon’s post-fight interview says it all. When Tom Aspinall’s name came up, the crowd went wild. But when Alex Pereira or even Stipe’s name was mentioned, there was barely a ripple. And let’s be real—if Jon had called out Derek Lewis or Jamal Hill instead of Stipe, the crowd would have gone crazy. But this wasn’t just a case of a vocal minority hijacking the conversation; it’s clear what the fans want to see.
Jon’s entire narrative for the past year or more has been about fighting Tom Aspinall. And yet, we end up here, with Jon easily dominating a Stipe Miocic who, let’s face it, is a shadow of his former self. Stipe, who hasn’t fought in nearly four years, looked every bit his 42 years old and like someone who hasn’t stepped in the octagon since early 2021. Sure, that doesn’t take away from Stipe’s legendary career, but the version we saw in the cage was nothing like the prime fighter we were promised in the buildup.
Dana White tried to explain away Stipe’s sluggish performance, saying it was the body shots that slowed him down, but fighters and fans alike saw the truth. Jon Jones was never really challenged in this fight. It was one-sided, and with Tom Aspinall’s name looming in the background, it all felt pointless. If this fight was supposed to put Jon back on top as the number one active pound-for-pound fighter, it didn’t do that. In fact, it did the opposite.
Let’s talk about the UFC’s promotion of Jon as the top pound-for-pound fighter. Sure, Jon has the greatest legacy in MMA, but how does dominating this version of Stipe move him up the ranks over someone like Islam Makhachev? It doesn’t. The UFC hyped up Jon’s heavyweight run, but his first title defense against Ciryl Gane was shaky, and this win over Stipe didn’t do him any favors.
Jon has said for years that his fight with Stipe was about cementing his legacy, but after that performance, it’s hard to see this as anything more than a footnote. If anything, this fight is more reminiscent of Tito Ortiz beating Chuck Liddell in his later years than any kind of epic clash between two all-time greats at their peak. Every concern fans had going into this fight was realized. Now Jon is in an awkward position. Despite two victories at heavyweight, the question still remains: How would he have done against Francis Ngannou? And why hasn’t he fought Tom Aspinall?
Finally, after the fight, Jon expressed interest in fighting Aspinall, and Dana White said that’s the next big heavyweight title fight. But that fight should’ve happened a long time ago. Jon has wanted to fight Ngannou, the UFC has wanted it, but the price wasn’t right. Now Jon is asking for more money for the Aspinall fight, and Dana says he’ll get compensated, but after all this time, we’re left wondering if it will ever actually happen. Frankly, I have doubts it will.
When we look back at UFC 309, history won’t be kind to this main event. Stipe’s legacy remains intact, but Jon didn’t add anything to his own. If Jon was going to continue to fight, it should’ve been against Tom Aspinall. That fight could have solidified his heavyweight reign, but instead, we’re left with questions.
As for the rest of UFC 309, there were some other interesting moments. Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler gave us an entertaining fight, and though Chandler rallied in the later rounds, Oliveira’s win should set him up for a shot at Islam Makhachev again. But after their first encounter, that matchup is more complicated than it should be. As popular as Oliveira is, a rematch might be tough to sell, especially given how the first one went.
Chandler’s post-fight promo, however, was less than exciting. Calling out Conor McGregor after such a long wait felt flat, and with Dana saying Conor might return in late 2025, that fight just doesn’t have the same buzz anymore. Chandler also called out Max Holloway, but that fight doesn’t have the same appeal, especially given how the BMF title has lost its shine. Still, Chandler’s aggressive fighting style ensures that he’ll continue to get big opportunities.
Bo Nickal fought Paul Craig in what was a strange matchup. Two grapplers turned kickboxers, and the crowd wasn’t having it. For the first time, Bo looked like a fighter still in the developmental stages. But that’s okay. It’s better for his long-term career that he takes his time and matures into a complete mixed martial artist. The boring fight was fine for his development, even if it wasn’t the most exciting for fans.
Finally, let’s look at the numbers. UFC 309 had 12 fights, 4 knockouts, 1 submission, and 7 decisions, for a total cage time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 8 seconds. The betting favorites took 9 victories, with just 3 underdogs winning, including Raiz Brahimi, who pulled off a shocking knockout over Mickey Gall.
Charles Oliveira’s fight with Chandler marked the first 5-round decision of his career. Jon Jones now has 17 UFC title fights, and in his win over Miocic, he outperformed Stipe in nearly every statistical category.
That’s UFC 309 in a nutshell. Thanks for hanging out and breaking it all down with me. And a huge thanks to Max Randall for his lightning-fast editing. Show him some love on social media and check out his YouTube channel. Big shoutout to our Channel Hall of Famers—you are the real MVPs. Want to join the Hall? Hit the “Join” button for exclusive content. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more breakdowns after pay-per-views, and let me know your thoughts on UFC 309 in the comments. Let’s finish the year strong! See you in December, fight fans!
