Key points
- JON JONES KNOCKS OUT STIPE MIOCIC View post
- Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic - Round 3 View post
- Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic - Round 2 View post
- Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic - Round 1 View post
- Charles Oliveira defeats Michael Chandler by UD View post
- Bo Nickal defeats Paul Craig by UD View post
- Viviane Araujo defeats Karine Silva by Unanimous Decision View post
- Mauricio Ruffy defeats James Llontop by UD View post
- Marcus McGhee defeats Jonathan Martinez by UD View post
- Jim Miller submits Damon Jackson in the first round View post
- David Onama defeats Roberto Romero by UD View post
- Marcin Tybura defeats Jhonata Diniz as doctor stops it after round two View post
- Ramiz Brahimaj beats Mickey Gall by R1 KO View post
- Oban Elliott beats Bassil Hafez by KO in round 3 View post
- Eduarda Moura beats Veronica Hardy by UD View post
- How to watch UFC 309 around the world View post
It’s a massive fight day in New York as the heavyweight title is on the line between two of MMA’s greatest legends.
Jon Jones is set to make his first defense since tapping out Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Former two-time champion Stipe Miocic is looking to win back the belt he lost when Francis Ngannou ruthlessly knocked him out almost four years ago.
In the UFC 309 co-main event, ex-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will look to earn himself another shot at UFC gold in a rematch with Michael Chandler, who he knocked out to realize his world champion dream in May 2021.
The card is filled from top to bottom with fun match-ups that will excite fans and those watching at 8pm Eastern. Bo Nickal, Chris Weidman, and Jim Miller are just some of the big names who will throw down at Madison Square Garden.
- READ MORE: Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic: Bloody Elbow predictions see staff all agree on UFC 309 main event winner
Thank you for tuning into the Bloody Elbow live blog
That’s all from us tonight, thanks so much for tuning in! What an historic night at Madison Square Garden as Jon Jones returns – and confirms he’s going to do it again!
[Link]Stipe Miocic hangs up his glvoes
The legendary two-time heavyweight champion says enough is enough and officially retires from MMA.
[Link]Jon Jones trolls the crowd as Tom Aspinall appears on screen
He refuses to name Alex Pereira or Tom Aspinall as his next opponent. But he does confirm he isn’t going to retire!
[Link]JON JONES KNOCKS OUT STIPE MIOCIC
Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones does it again, he stops yet another legendary champion!
[Link]Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic – Round 3
We head to the third, and it’s Miocic searching for the knockout early. You’d have to imagine a prime Stipe would have had serious success against heavyweight Jones, but he hsa clearly lost a step.
Jones finds his range in the third as he attacks Miocic with a suspiciously open hand before landing a big right hook that catches his attention. Headkick follows. This fight is starting to remind me of a really big, really slow version of the first Colby Covington vs Kamaru Usman fight.
Tom Aspinall’s reaction in the crowd will be fascinating at this stage. Jones lands a big right again, Miocic gets his own back with an elbow. Jones drops Stipe with a huge kick to the body and he gets the KO!
[Link]Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic – Round 2
This is a fickle crowd, they’re now chanting for Stipe! Much slower start to the second from both, they’re on the feet and it’s looking better for the challenger, but not much separating them.
Jones lands a big knee in the clinch halfway through the round. Miocic lands a nice right hand as Jones moves back. This is much more of a fight than people were expecting! The champion shades his rival with a big headkick and lands one a punch on the wway in, but now Miocic pressures.
This is going to be a tough one to score, likely goes to Jones though.
[Link]Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic – Round 1
When you’re this hyped for a fight, every second of Bruce Buffer’s lengthy intros seems like an eternity. Within minutes, Miocic has been taken down and is taking big elbows from his back. Not where he wants to be. Jones has complete control thus far.
Stipe Miocic, just about, makes it out of the first round but it’s a complete annihilation from Jones. It won’t be 10-8, although I’ve seen them given. At this early stage he doesn’t seem to have answers for what Jones is hitting him with yet.
[Link]Jon Jones is in the octagon
This is an unbelievable spectacle. There’s nothing like seeing the greatest of all time fight. It’s been all too rare lately.
[Link]We move straight on to our main event
In almost no time, Stipe Miocic is making his ring walk! Smatterings of boos for the legend. Let’s see how Jones is received!
[Link]Charles Oliveira defeats Michael Chandler by UD
Despite what his UFC record will ultimately end up showing, nobody can say Michael Chandler was a sub-par contender. He has exclusively fought world champions or top contenders since winning his debut, and looked capable of winning in every one.
Charles Oliveira wins 49-46×2 and 49-45 and leaps atop the cage. Does this spell the end of Michael Chandler’s efforts at Conor McGregor?
[Link]Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler 2 – Round 5
Oliveira’s efforts at a takedown fail early and Chandler now puts down the Brazilian and takes control of the fight. He’s raining down blows that are surely to the back of the head and the referee allows us to continue.
Chandler now in top control and throwing elbows at Oliveira, who has been known to fade and perhaps even quit in times of adversity. Now Oliveira goes for the triangle but it doesn’t land.
Both men are absolutely exhausted, they head back to their feet for the final two minutes! Chandler lands flush again, Oliveira returns fire. The Brazilian shoots and gets his rival’s back. Loud boos.
Chandler stands up with Oliveira on his back and leaps to his back, hoping to hurt the Brazilian. He does it again. Crowd goes wild, fight’s over, Oliveira will win, but what a war. These men delivered.
[Link]Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler 2 – Round 4
Michael Chandler is one of the more intelligent fighters in the UFC, so he will be acutely aware that he is most definitely down by an unassailable score here. As such, he’s come out swinging for the fourth.
He catches Oliveira with a few while taking some of his own, and is again battling the takedown in a failing effort. Oliveira is inches away from getting the submission but Chandler survives again.
We head to the fifth round for the first time in Chandler’s UFC career.
[Link]Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler 2 – Round 3
Things do not seem to be getting any better for Michael Chandler here, as Oliveira is having his way on the feet. The American is showing his trademark grit with a now-bleeding face, but swinging and missing wildly.
The insistence of Oliveira to try and get the fight to the ground when he’s having such success on the feet is interesting, although he is the far superior Jiu Jitsu player.
He’s pushing for a choke from the back of Chandler, who is defending valiantly. Now he unloads some unusually heavy shots that actually seem to be troubling Chandler, and he locks in the choke!
However, Chandler is out, MSG is on their feet, we’re heading to the championship rounds!
[Link]Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler 2 – Round 2
Oliveira hurts Chandler early and now the former title challenger is circling the cage, attempting to regain his composure. Oliveira landing big shots seemingly at will now, however.
Chandler eating massive punches and even a knee there, his generally suspect chin appears to be holding up better than usual. And now Oliveira has him down again and in top position with plenty of time to work.
Another clear Oliveira round, but Chandler has now survived past where he did before in 2021.
[Link]Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler 2 – Round 1
We are underway at Madison Square Garden. For the first time in two years, Michael Chandler is inside the UFC octagon., and he seems tentative early as he circles around Oliveira.
With just under two minutes gone it’s actually Oliveira who goes for the takedown, and manages to get Chandler, the renowned wrestler, on his back. This is much different than their first meeting when it was the American piling on pressure and even dropping his rival early.
Oliveira doing some interesting movements from top position, getting wolf whistles from the crowd! That’s definitely round one for the former champion.
[Link]Charles Oliveira embraces Michael Chandler before their fight
There is aboslutely no bad blood here, just two fan favorites expected to serve up a barn burner.
[Link]Michael Chandler makes the walk for our co-main event
It’s gone midnight here in New York City, even Americans don’t avoid late night shows!
[Link]Bo Nickal defeats Paul Craig by UD
It’s a 30-27 scorecard, he immediately apologises to the fans who are loudly booing.
Crowd chant ‘overrated at Bo Nickal’
They really have hated this fight, which goes the distance. His first time in MMA seeing the final bell. Has Paul Craig spoiled the party? Regardless of the result, he may just have.
[Link]The crowd are not enjoying this
Nickael and Craig stay at rnge, which causes them to be roundly booed. But then Nickal backs up Craig and it’s cheers. Then boos again instantly.
[Link]Bo Nickal is officially in deeper waters than ever before
The crowd in Madison Square Garden appeared to count down with the clock to signify the longest bout of Bo Nickal’s seven-fight career.
[Link]The size difference here is something else
Of course, Paul Craig was a career light-heavyweight for the longest time. But the difference in size between these two is really quite noticeable. No chance for a Nickal takedown yet, but he is winning the striking battle
[Link]Time for Bo Nickal v Paul Craig
This is a monumental step up for Bo Nickal. Craig has stopped the likes of Jamahal Hill and Magomed Ankalaev, he is no slouch on the ground. Let’s see what happens.
[Link]Viviane Araujo defeats Karine Silva by Unanimous Decision
Really fun fight, lots of grappling but both women looking for the finish from the bell.
[Link]Karine Silva and Viviane Araujo are putting on a massive showing
One of the better flyweight fights of the year happening right now, mostly spent on the ground but these women look dangerous.
[Link]Mauricio Ruffy defeats James Llontop by UD
Exciting start to the main card as the two battle to a decision!
[Link]Ruffy drops Llontop!
Big drop for Llontop in the second round, he recovers well, though. Decent fight so far.
[Link]Donald Trump is in the building
His first UFC event as President Elect, he embraces Joe Rogan for a lengthy period as the New York crowd goes absolutely wild. The President Elect is flanked by Elon Musk, Kid Rock and Dana White
[Link]Damon Jackson leaves his gloves in the octagon
Is that a retirement? He refuses to speak to Joe Rogan after the fact, that may be that for the veteran!
Jim Miller submits Damon Jackson in the first round
Quickfire win for Miller, who is still going at the age of 41!
[Link]Jim Miller vs Damon Jackson is up next
The legendary New Jersey native faces fellow veteran Jackson in a lightweight clash.
[Link]David Onama defeats Roberto Romero by UD
Solid showing from Onama moving up for this fight, interesting to see where he goes from here.
[Link]David Onama vs Robert Romero is our next outing
Solid little lightweight matchup here on the ESPN prelims.
[Link]Marcin Tybura defeats Jhonata Diniz as doctor stops it after round two
Diniz is devastated as he loses to the doctor’s decision in famously conservative New York tonight. His undefeated record is gone.
[Link]Marcin Tybura vs Jhonata Diniz is up next
Big heavyweight clash as the unbeaten prospect faces number nine in the division.
[Link]Ramiz Brahimaj beats Mickey Gall by R1 KO
Wow! What a stunning victory for the Bronx native, he lands a massive right hand on Gall and wins in vicious fashion. Oban Elliott is going to have some competition for the bonus!
[Link]Mickey Gall takes on Ramiz Brahimaj in our next fight
Two New York area stars in this one, Gall from Jersey, Brahimaj from the Bronx.
[Link]Oban Elliott beats Bassil Hafez by KO in round 3
First stoppage of the UFC career for the Welsh Gangster!
[Link]Oban Elliott and Basil Hafez up next
Chael Sonnen in the corner, can the ‘Welsh Gangster’ continue his winning run?
[Link]Eduarda Moura beats Veronica Hardy by UD
Impressive showing by the Brazilian, who gets her first win since moving up in weight! Success with the takedown, solid work on the ground when she got there. Wins on all the scorecards, 30-27 on one 29-28 on two.
[Link]Veronica Hardy vs Eduarda Moura kicks us off
Solid fight here at flyweight, expect some high level grappling to open up the card!
[Link]Chael Sonnen will corner Oban Elliott tonight!
What a moment for the Welshman, cornered by his idol!
[Link]We’ve lost a fight at the last minute
Eryk Anders’ showdown with former middleweight champion Chris Weidman is off due to a late illness
[Link]We are minutes away from kicking off the main card!
Jhonata Diniz after his heartbreak in Edmonton finally gets his chance to land a big heavyweight scalp against Marcin Tybura
[Link]Welcome to the Bloody Elbow live blog for UFC 309
Good afternoon and welcome to Bloody Elbow’s live coverage from Madison Square Garden in New York for UFC 309. We’ll have live action and updates all night as we head into an action-packed event, with heavyweight gold on the line and a lot of major world title implications.
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