Tag: Stipe Miocic

Video: UFC 309 cold open features vintage Metallica over Jones-Miocic hype

The UFC returns to New York on Saturday to settle a debate. Take an early look at the opening video sequence from the pay-per-view.

The UFC returns to New York on Saturday to settle a debate.

At 309, the presumed greatest fighter of all time takes on the presumed greatest heavyweight in UFC history. Both return after lengthy layoffs, but there are key storylines at stake this week, too.

The UFC has released the UFC 309 cold open video. The card features a heavyweight title fight between champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) and former champ [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC).

The video is narrated by actor and regular UFC voice-over narrator Ron Perlman and has a backdrop soundtrack of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica from the 1986 album “Ride the Lightning.”

The cold open also looks at the co-main event lightweight fight between former champion Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) and Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC).

Check out the UFC 309 cold open video above.

UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic – for heavyweight title
  • Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira
  • Paul Craig vs. Bo Nickal
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva
  • James Llontop vs. Mauricio Ruffy

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/FX/Hulu, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
  • Eryk Anders vs. Chris Weidman
  • Damon Jackson vs. Jim Miller
  • David Onama vs. Roberto Romero

PRELIMINARY CARD (Hulu/ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Jhonata Diniz vs. Marcin Tybura
  • Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Mickey Gall
  • Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott
  • Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

UFC 309 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: ‘We’ll see who the b*tch is on Saturday night’

In the third installment of UFC 309 “Embedded,” Jon Jones offers a stern retort to Stipe Miocic’s name calling on “Countdown.”

The UFC is back in New York for UFC 309, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

In the headliner, heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on former champ [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in a fight delayed by a year. In the co-feature, former lightweight champ [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) takes on [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) after he was left at the altar by Conor McGregor.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Stipe Miocic runs some final fight week errands before hitting pads; Charles Oliveira says goodbye to his family before heading to New York; Michael Chandler trains at the hotel and goes to GMA; Jim Miller rings the New York Stock Exchange bell; Jon Jones has boxing practice.

Previous UFC 309 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Hungry to beat Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic unbothered by criticism of UFC 309 title shot

Stipe Miocic doesn’t care what fans think about his controversial title shot vs. Jon Jones at UFC 309.

NEW YORK – In the buildup to UFC 309, there’s been a lot of criticism surrounding [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag]’s upcoming fight against [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag]. But to the former heavyweight champion, it’s all white noise.

Miocic returns to the cage this Saturday in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden where he challenges Jones for the heavyweight belt. The championship opportunity comes after Miocic spent more than three-and-a-half years inactive, with his last win coming in August 2020.

Lots has been said about the making of this fight, especially with UFC interim champion Tom Aspinall being available, but it hasn’t bothered Miocic one bit.

“I don’t really worry about that,” Miocic said at Wednesday’s UFC 309 media day. “That’s one thing I learned in this career. I stopped caring what people think. You have your opinion, you have your opinion, I’m not going to change it. I really don’t care.”

Miocic blocking people out isn’t exclusive to UFC 309. Miocic hasn’t really paid attention to critics for quite some time.

“In the beginning of my career, I was a little sensitive about it. Like you don’t know me, I don’t know you, so why are you saying sh*t about me?” Miocic said. “I would get terrible DMs and stuff like, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ You don’t know me. I literally just stopped caring because I realized they don’t know me, and I don’t know them. They’re just pissed off about something, and they’re trying to take it off on me. I couldn’t care less, honestly. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

In terms of the fight, it’s been sold and promoted as one of the biggest legacy bouts in UFC history. For Miocic, a win is a win, and that’s all he’s focused on.

“They’re all special,” Miocic said. “I like winning, so every win, like between all three (title reigns), they’re all wins. That’s all I care about. To me, they’re all special. But maybe this one a bit because it’s the Mecca (MSG), and it’s Jon Jones. It doesn’t get bigger than that.”

[lawrence-related id=2786052,2785673,2785635,2784676,2784688]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Tom Aspinall: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic ‘most disputed title you can possibly get’

Tom Aspinall questions the legitimacy of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic as a UFC heavyweight title fight.

[autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] questions the legitimacy of [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] as a UFC heavyweight title fight.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) defends his belt against Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) headliner at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) awaits the winner for a title unification bout, except Jones has made it clear he’s not interested in facing Aspinall if he continues beyond UFC 309, while Miocic is widely expected to retire.

“For me, this is far from an undisputed title fight. This is the most disputed title you can possibly get,” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “Because there’s two champions, and one of the champions, Jon Jones, is avoiding the other champion: me.

“And he’s chose to fight 42-year-old Stipe, who’s had a fantastic career – both guys have had a fantastic career, great legacy. But let’s be honest: These are two old farts fighting each other for a title and occupying it, which is a bit weird. Nobody that I can see gives a sh*t about this fight.”

Jones’ stance on Aspinall hasn’t changed, and he appears to no longer care what people think of him not wanting the fight. Jones addressed Aspinall in multiple interviews, dismissing his resume by saying that, unlike him, he hasn’t beaten any champions.

Aspinall responded to Jones’ comments.

“This ducking and diving is something that I don’t really have respect for,” Aspinall said. “And, of course, it’s been pretty interesting all the stuff that Jon Jones has been saying to the media this week, and I’m sure there’s more to come.

“So, Jon said I need to fight more champions, but this is the problem I’ve got: Jon is the champion, and he won’t fight me. He says he won’t fight me because it’s too much of a gamble. Jon, if you’re not into gambling your legacy, that to me sounds like you’re scared of losing against me.”

[lawrence-related id=2785624,2785626,2785579,2785561]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Watch Jon Jones’ most recent fight ahead of UFC 309 return vs. Stipe Miocic

Relive Jon Jones’ quick submission win over Ciryl Gane to win the vacant UFC heavyweight title in March 2023.

It’s nearly time for [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] to finally make his return.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC), who’s considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time by many, defends the UFC heavyweight title against [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the main event of UFC 309.

UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The last time Jones was seen in action was in March 2023 when he quickly submitted Ciryl Gane to win the vacant UFC heavyweight title.

Jones and Miocic were supposed to fight November of last year, but an injury to Jones pushed the fight back a year.

Check out Jones’ most recent performance in the video above.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

UFC 309 ‘Embedded,’ No. 2: On the farm with Charles Oliveira

In the second episode of UFC 309 “Embedded,” Charles Oliveira tends to his farm and explains why it means so much to him.

The UFC is back in New York for UFC 309, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

In the headliner, heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on former champ [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in a fight delayed by a year. In the co-feature, former lightweight champ [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) takes on [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) after he was left at the altar by Conor McGregor.

The second episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Jon Jones has lunch; Charles Oliveira gets a haircut and tends to his farm; Michael Chandler arrives in New York and trains; Stipe Miocic has a recovery session; Chris Weidman plays poker with his friends.

Previous UFC 309 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Overreaction Time: UFC 309 bold predictions, plus will Jake Paul embarrass Mike Tyson?

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” looking ahead to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, and more.

The time for overreacting is here!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” at noon ET/9 a.m. PT as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie reporter Danny Segura debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:

  • [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] will finish [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] at UFC 309, no doubt about it.
  • Jones’ legacy will take a hit if he loses to Miocic.
  • Sorry, [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag], but Jones definitely should fight [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] if he wins at UFC 309.
  • [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] WILL steal the show at UFC 309.
  • [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag] is poised to have a breakout performance at UFC 309.
  • [autotag]Mike Tyson[/autotag] is about to embarrass himself against[autotag] Jake Paul[/autotag].

Watch the full episode in the video above.

UFC 309 ‘Embedded,’ No. 1: Chris Weidman home show means fight week landscaping

The UFC is back in New York, which means Chris Weidman gets to fight at home and doesn’t have to travel – opening the door for yard work.

The UFC is back in New York for UFC 309, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

In the headliner, heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on former champ [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in a fight delayed by a year. In the co-feature, former lightweight champ [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) takes on [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) after he was left at the altar by Conor McGregor.

The first episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Heavyweight champ Jon Jones arrives in Las Vegas and goes to UFC Fight Night; Bo Nickal is kicking it with his team; Charles Oliveira trains in Brazil; Michael Chandler has oxygen therapy at home; Chris Weidman does yard work; Stipe Miocic has a pasta dinner with his family.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Video: UFC 309 ‘Countdown’ for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

Check out the UFC 309 “Countdown” main event video preview for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.

Did you miss the debut of UFC 309 “Countdown” or just want to watch it again? Check out the main event preview now.

The segment takes a special look at the heavyweight title fight between champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) and challenger [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC), a former champ who is back for the first time in more than 3.5 years.

UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. “Countdown” goes behind the scenes with the two fighters, and you can watch the full segment above. And don’t miss the entire episode in the video below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

MMA Junkie Radio LIVE Q&A (noon ET): UFC 309 predictions, Carlos Prates’ rise and much more

MMA Junkie Radio hosts “Gorgeous” George and Goze will take your questions on everything combat sports at noon ET.

“Spinning Back Clique” is off this week, but MMA Junkie Radio is hosting a special live stream Q&A with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” on Monday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

The longtime MMA Junkie Radio hosts will take your questions about the latest in the world of MMA.

There’s plenty to talk about in combat sports with[autotag] Carlos Prates[/autotag]’ big KO in the main event of UFC Fight Night 247, Saturday’s big UFC 309 pay-per-view with [autotag]Jon Jones [/autotag]vs. [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] at Madision Square Garden and much more.

Watch MMA Junkie Radio’s live Q&A in the video above, and submit your questions in the YouTube live chat.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]