UFC 309 outcomes, takeaways: Jon Jones continues to win at each flip, Stipe Miocic deserves our respect

The best fighter in MMA historical past shook off an 18-month layoff and restoration from a torn pectoral muscle to defend his heavyweight title contained in the historic venue of New York’s Madison Sq. Backyard on Saturday.

Jon Jones added one more legendary title to his all-time nice resume when he dominated former champion Stipe Miocic in the primary occasion of UFC 309. Within the co-headliner, Charles Oliveira took an enormous step towards preventing as soon as extra for the light-weight title he as soon as held by holding off a livid rally from Michael Chandler of their rematch.

Because the mud begins to settle following one other memorable journey for the world’s main MMA promotion to “The World’s Most Well-known Enviornment,” let’s take a better have a look at what we realized from UFC 309.

1. All Jon Jones does is win, win, win … it doesn’t matter what

Sixteen years into his unbelievable professional profession, Jones prolonged his UFC report for victories in title bouts to an unbelievable 16 with the brutal and environment friendly victory over Miocic, probably the most adorned heavyweight champion the promotion has ever identified. Contemplating this was solely Jones’ second bout at heavyweight, his second look in practically a five-year span and his first since recovering from surgical procedure, the truth that there wasn’t something near cage rust and even compromising moments for Jones within the cage speaks to his greatness. Jones extinguished a lot of the hazard Miocic introduced with him to the Octagon by taking him down in Spherical 1 and savagely bombarding him with elbows as he closed the spherical with over 3:30 of dominant high place time. From there, Jones flashed a heavy jab and quite a lot of harmful kicks that slowly wore Miocic down till a spinning again kick to the ribs put him away for good in Spherical 3. Sure, there have been equal questions on Miocic coming into the struggle contemplating he was snapping a three-year layoff at age 42 and hadn’t received since 2020. However Jones put forth such a well-rounded and thorough efficiency that it was laborious to inform whether or not Miocic seemed previous or whether or not he was merely overwhelmed from the beginning and compelled to continually play catch up in opposition to a extra dynamic opponent. Jones’ expertise appeared to have developed and aged completely for the heavyweight division at 37, teasing a vibrant future to return. However the truth that Jones continues to seek out new methods to win at his age and this far into his G.O.A.T. profession that was most spectacular. 

THE MOMENT JON JONES KO’ED STIPE MIOCIC 😳 #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/R0IC0lZVq7

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 17, 2024

2. Jones seems to have put the subject of retirement behind him

This was arguably the best end result that got here from UFC 309 as Jones, throughout his postfight interview with Joe Rogan, introduced he won’t stroll away on high and intimated that current talks with UFC brass have him poised to proceed preventing. That does not imply that Jones formally addressed the elephant within the room, which is the truth that followers desperately need him to unify the title in opposition to interim champion Tom Aspinall, who was in attendance. In actual fact, Jones appeared to exit of his manner (as did Rogan) to keep away from bringing Aspinall up and the native of England wasn’t allowed to enter the cage for a faceoff. However contemplating UFC CEO Dana White mentioned this week that Jones shall be compelled to defend in opposition to Aspinall ought to he need to safe the struggle he covets far more — a superfight in opposition to gentle heavyweight king Alex Pereira — it is not troublesome to take an optimistic method about the opportunity of Jones-Aspinall being subsequent. Jones routinely contradicted himself all through the struggle’s construct by making numerous excuses as to why Aspinall did not deserve a struggle in opposition to him. However a few of that may very well be chalked as much as the questions Jones had about himself coming in following such a protracted layoff and surgical procedure. The truth that Jones dominated Miocic so totally was seemingly sufficient to indicate Jones that he can be very aggressive in opposition to Aspinall. It now simply comes right down to the UFC providing Jones the precise quantity financially to make the unification bout a actuality. 

The Champ’s not completed but 😮‍💨@JonnyBones | #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/WtcFjCNJyy

— UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024

3. Stipe Miocic deserves nothing however our full respect

Routinely maligned by critics coming in because of his age and layoff, Miocic proved unable to show again time in opposition to Jones and took systematic beatdown for his troubles. But, Miocic nonetheless took the time to face the music throughout his post-fight interview the place the two-time champion humbly laid down his gloves signaling the top of his legendary 18-year profession. Miocic, a full-time firefighter in suburban Ohio who informed CBS Sports activities final week he can be again at work subsequent week win or lose this weekend, exemplified the blue-collar spirit that followers respect to the core. He was by no means about fanfare or trash discuss, and at all times took the accountability of being a sportsman to coronary heart. As some of the sincere champions UFC has ever promoted, Miocic shall be remembered most for his sturdiness, well-rounded expertise and penchant for dominant finishes. A household man with sturdy morals and a fantastic work ethic, Miocic’s everyman vibes will stay an enormous a part of his legacy, as will profession victories over a who’s who of heavyweight legends together with Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou, Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Andrei Arlovski and Mark Hunt. 

Stipe Miocic introduced his retirement after #UFC309

A legendary profession for the previous UFC heavyweight champion 👏 pic.twitter.com/ClJwvD1ayW

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 17, 2024

4. At 35, Charles Oliveira is just not completed competing for world titles

Though he wanted to outlive a livid rally within the closing spherical from Chandler of their rematch, Oliveira’s dominance over the primary 4 rounds must be sufficient to get him a shot on the winner of a Islam Makhachev-Arman Tsarukyan rematch for the light-weight title, which might are available January. BMF champion Max Holloway has additionally proven curiosity in defending his title in opposition to Oliveira in one other high-profile rematch. However Oliveira’s want appears to be operating again his 2022 submission title loss to Makhachev. Both manner, Oliveira proved in opposition to Chandler that his poise, velocity, sharp putting and dominant grappling are nonetheless very a lot elite regardless of having misplaced two of three fights coming in (to Makhachev and a break up resolution to Tsarukyan in April). Oliveira additionally by no means panicked regardless of the fifth-round surge from Chandler, which included two slams within the closing minute when Oliveira held on to the again of his standing opponent. 

He needs subsequent 👀@CharlesDoBronxs has his eyes on a return to the LW throne! #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/oZCpgnhUcB

— UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024

5. Bo Nickal stiff arms boos to move a vital check in opposition to Paul Craig 

Whereas it is laborious to take a look at a struggle that ended with an offended crowd referring to the unbeaten Nickal as “overrated” and name it an enormous success, the Penn State wrestling legend and three-time NCAA champion very a lot benefitted from what he realized in defeating Paul Craig. Not solely did Nickal go the total quarter-hour with out as soon as capturing for a takedown, he additionally went the space for the primary time in seven professional fights. Nickal did nicely to win the putting battles in opposition to the bigger Craig even when he nonetheless seems to be a work-in-progress on his ft. Craig’s lead leg was bruised and battered by Nickal’s kicks and the grappling standout’s putting protection was strong. He’ll simply have to up his output sooner or later and proceed so as to add selection to his total putting recreation. But, had he taken the struggle to the bottom and submitted Craig early, it could’ve prevented him gaining the dear in-fight expertise he finally did.