Elite-level MMA will take center stage on Saturday night.
Jon Jones is set to defend his heavyweight title against former two-time champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, which will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.
Fans, fighters, and celebrities have all had their say on how they think this massive fight will play out.
Now the staff at BloodyElbow.com have made their final predictions ahead of the legend vs legend clash.
- READ MORE: ‘Knock it off’… Jon Jones fumes as Dana White confirms UFC 309 winner must fight Tom Aspinall
Bloody Elbow staff make their UFC 309 picks
Jordan Ellis: “I do think the UFC 309 main event is a closer contest than many fans believe. On paper, Jon Jones is facing a superior boxer with good defensive wrestling which means he could be forced to stay on the feet throughout. However, Stipe Miocic has been sidelined for more than three years following a vicious knockout loss, so it’s very hard to predict he’ll cause an upset in the one.”
PREDICTION: JON JONES BY DECISION
Donagh Corby: “It’s always tough to root for Jon Jones, and he hasn’t made it any easier this week with his carry-on regarding a potential fight with Tom Aspinall. I was in Dallas last night for Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul, and the feeling surrounding this fight, as far as I’m concerned, is fairly similar.
“While watching Jones fight is always exciting, seeing a 43-year-old semi-retired Stipe Miocic face off with an unbeaten two-weight champion who was icing top contenders within a round as recently as last year doesn’t sit right. This is all to say that Jones Jones will submit Stipe Miocic or stop him with ground and pound, possibly within a round or two.”
PREDICTION: JON JONES BY SUBMISSION
Jamie Theodosi: “Despite Jon Jones’ comeback being controversial because of it taking place against Stipe Miocic, I actually think Stipe has keys to make this a tough fight for ‘Bones’. Having said that, Miocic’s inactivity is too big a factor for me in this fight and I believe Jones may pick up the submission win.”
PREDICTION: JON JONES BY SUBMISSION
Oscar Pick: “I think Jon Jones will stop Stipe Miocic in the third round. The heavyweight champ may take a few rounds to download information but, once he has found his range and rhythm, it should be a matter of time before his 42-year-old opponent begins to falter.”
JON JONES BY KO/TKO/SUB
James Sweetnam: “With the world fixated on a dream match-up between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, many have forgotten about the threat Stipe Miocic presents. Having won the Golden Gloves boxing tournament and competed as a Divison One wrestler, the Croatian-American has the perfect style to neutralize the consensus greatest of all time and pull off a monumental upset. However, with all that said, Miocic is 42, coming off a devastating loss to Francis Ngannou, and regardless of the task in front of him, Jones always finds a way to win. Therefore, while the man who previously reigned over the division still has the power to render any opponent he faces unconscious with a single punch, my prediction is that ‘Bones’ will finish his rival and walk away with the belt still wrapped firmly around his waist.”
PREDICTION: JON JONES BY KO/TKO/SUB
Curtis Calhoun: “Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic will get off to a slow start at Madison Square Garden. With about a minute left in the first round, Jones will start to find his timing with body kicks, testing Miocic’s patented conditioning. Round 2 is when Jones will see the fruits of his labor, continuing to utilize his range and frustrating Miocic from the outside. After a massive liver kick, Jones will score a takedown and finish the fight with brutal ground-and-pound attacks, including 12-to-6 elbows. Jones wins by second-round TKO.”
PREDICTION: JON JONES BY KO