UFC 309 – Syndication Server

Michael Chandler wants Conor McGregor fight at UFC International Fight Week 2025

Michael Chandler still believes he’s the right opponent for Conor McGregor’s UFC return.

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] is not ready to turn the page on a potential fight with UFC star [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] despite everything that’s transpired.

Chandler, a former Bellator lightweight champion, returned to the octagon last Saturday at UFC 309. There, he lost a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira after putting his career on hold for well over a year and waiting for a fight with McGregor to materialize.

Now back in action, the 38-year-old wants to revisit the McGregor fight for the summer of 2025.

“I think me and Conor International Fight Week is the next fight,” Chandler said on Bussin’ with the Boys. “That’s what I’m throwing out there. I think June, July.”

Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) coached The Ultimate Fighter 31 against McGregor. The two were supposed to fight this past July at UFC 303, but McGregor withdrew from the matchup due to injury.

Chandler believes the Irishman will return to the cage, and he’s extremely confident the fight to make is against him.

“I’m not saying it’s a real reality, but I am saying if he does, his road comes straight through Nashville, Tennessee,” Chandler explained. “His road back to the UFC, we have to finish The Ultimate Fighter. The UFC wants us to finish The Ultimate Fighter, Conor wants to fight me, and he can fight anybody. He made a commitment.

“I’ve said this numerous times: I have no problem giving my opponents props. I think he is more sentimental and romantic about the sport than people give him credit for because he’s become this big, infamous brand. But he knows he’s nothing without the UFC octagon. He knows he’s nothing without the UFC. He was a plumber on welfare, sleeping on a couch. Without the UFC, he’s nothing. I don’t say that to take that away from him. We need our employers and brands to take us to the next level to create our lives.”

On top of thinking he makes the most sense for McGregor, Chandler also believes McGregor misses the octagon, and doesn’t buy that he will make his hiatus from the sport permanent.

“I think he wants to see through to his commitment,” Chandler said. “Quite frankly, he needs to come back. He needs something to chase, or else he’s going to chase the wrong things. And if he does, it just so happens that there’s a guy waiting, and I’m one of the top draws in the UFC. People will pay good money to watch me fight.”

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

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

UFC 309 medical suspensions: Stipe Miocic out for 60 days, several others up to three months

From one week to three months, check out the full list of medical suspensions handed out following UFC 309 in New York.

Every fighter who competed this past Saturday at UFC 309 has been given a medical suspension following their bouts.

Jhonata Diniz, Mickey Gall and Bassil Hafez were knocked out in their fights and were among four fighters who received 90-day suspensions, which was the longest period issued. The fourth fighter who received 90 days was James Llontop, who went the distance with Mauricio Ruffy, but was on the receiving end of multiple damaging strikes over three rounds.

The event, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York, was headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and former champion Stipe Miocic. Although he announced his retirement following the main event, Miocic was given a 60-day suspension for his TKO loss to Jones.

Wednesday, MMA Junkie acquired a full list of medical suspensions from the New York State Department of State, which oversaw the event. Check out the full list below. The suspensions ranged from a 7-day mandatory rest period to 90 days. Any fighter given 30-90 days may return sooner if cleared by a doctor (unless noted otherwise).

Eduarda Moura def. Veronica Hardy

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Veronica Hardy (red gloves) fights Eduarda Moura (blue gloves) in the flyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Eduarda Moura[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Veronica Hardy[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

Oban Elliott def. Bassil Hafez

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Bassil Hafez (red gloves) fights Oban Elliott (blue gloves) in the welterweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Bassil Hafez[/autotag]: 90-day suspension with neurology clearance

Ramiz Brahimaj def. Mickey Gall

[autotag]Ramiz Brahimaj[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Mickey Gall[/autotag]: 90-day suspension with neurology clearance

Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jhonata Diniz (blue gloves) reacts after losing to Marcin Tybura (red gloves, not pictured) in the Heavyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Jhonata Diniz[/autotag]: 90-day suspension

David Onama def. Roberto Romero

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; David Onama (red gloves) fights Roberto Romero (blue gloves) in the lightweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]David Onama[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Roberto Romero[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Jim Miller def. Damon Jackson

[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jonathan Martinez (red gloves) fights Marcus Mcghee (blue gloves) in the bantamweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

Mauricio Ruffy def. James Llontop

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Mauricio Ruffy (red gloves) fights James Llontop (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Mauricio Ruffy[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]James Llontop[/autotag]: 90-day suspension

Viviane Araujo def. Karine Silva

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Viviane Araujo (red gloves) fights Karine Silva (blue gloves) in the WomenÕs Flyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Karine Silva[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: (R-L) Bo Nickal of the United States of America punches Paul Craig of Scotland in a middleweight fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

[autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Charles Oliveira (red gloves) fights Michael Chandler (blue gloves) in the lightweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Jon Jones def. Stipe Miocic

UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (R) fights challenger Stipe Miocic during their heavyweight title bout at Madison Square Garden in New York, on November 16, 2024. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag]: 60-day suspension

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

Roberto Romero reflects on gutsy UFC 309 debut loss vs. David Onama

Mexico’s Roberto Romero has been asking himself “what if” since losing his UFC debut against David Onama.

[autotag]Roberto Romero[/autotag] might’ve taken a loss Saturday at UFC 309, but many were still impressed with what they saw from the newcomer.

Romero debuted for the UFC against veteran [autotag]David Onama[/autotag] on the preliminary card of UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden. It was a fight he took the Tuesday before the event with basically no preparation, as he replaced Lucas Almeida.

Little chance was given to Romero (8-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) as Onama entered as a -1000 betting favorite. Yet, despite the odds, the Mexican fighter put it on Onama and nearly finished him in the first round.

“Believe me, that’s something I’ve analyzed a lot,” Romero told MMA Junkie in Spanish when asked about his decision take the back rather than finish a rocked Onama. “In fact, yesterday was the first day I was able to sleep since the fight because it ended on Saturday and all the adrenaline and mix of emotions just kept me thinking and going over things in my head. I gave it a lot of thought, and yeah, f*ck, if I would’ve kept hitting him, just taken a step back and kept hitting him. But the ‘what if’ doesn’t exist. …

“At the end of the day this is a learning experience, and yeah, analyzing it, maybe if I would’ve kept hitting him, maybe I would’ve picked up the finish. But yeah, you learn and keep moving forward.”

After a hot first start where he almost finished Onama, the veteran survived and went on to win the rest of the fight, but with stiff resistance from Romero.

Romero admits the defeat stung, and he was disappointed he couldn’t get his hand raised in the octagon. But after getting embraced by the fan base and his family, Romero can say he’s proud of what he was able to display that night in New York City.

“Honestly, I’m very happy,” Romero said. “I did go in there to win. I didn’t go in there with a mediocre mentality like, ‘Oh, let’s just see what happens.’ No, I went to win. I studied him as much as I could in the few days I had, and I tried to make the most of this opportunity. I was 100 percent focused, and I gave it my all in that cage. I went there to win, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. There’s just so much you can control and is not like Onama is a walk in the park. He’s a lion, who was coming in there to win as well. We both left it all in there.

“I admit I was a little sad and disappointed din myself because I’m a bit of a perfectionist, but after hearing mu coaches and seeing people’s messages, and from my family and wife, they all lifted me and I feel very thankful. It’s not the result I wanted, but I don’t think my performance was too bad.”

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

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

Former UFC champ ‘comfortable’ saying Tom Aspinall could beat Jon Jones

Demetrious Johnson thinks Tom Aspinall has the physical attributes to beat Jon Jones.

[autotag]Demetrious Johnson[/autotag] believes [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] has the physical attributes to beat UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

Interim champ Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) is hoping to get his title unification bout with Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC), who defended his title with a third-round TKO of Stipe Miocic in Saturday’s UFC 309 main event.

Jones wants to be compensated handsomely for a potential Aspinall fight, and Johnson sees Aspinall as the man to beat him.

“I think Tom Aspinall has the speed, the athleticism and the power to give Jon Jones problems,” Johnson said on his YouTube channel. “Tom Aspinall is still young, and he’s still getting better, but I think this version of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is very – Tom Aspinall can beat him.

“I feel comfortable saying that just because you have somebody who’s going to take the fight to Jon Jones and not be scared. Now, can Tom Aspinall run into one of those elbows and a spinning back sh*t and a flying knee? One thousand percent.”

Johnson’s current pecking order at heavyweight goes PFL heavyweight superfights champ Francis Ngannou, Jones, then Aspinall. He thinks Ngannou would also be a tough stylistic matchup for Jones.

“I wish I would have seen Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall because once again, I still think the heavyweight king of the world is probably Francis Ngannou because he never lost the heavyweight championship,” Johnson said. “He knocked out Stipe Miocic, and that was when Stipe Miocic was a little bit more active. …

“I think Francis has the power factor and the athleticism, and I bet you he can probably defend Jon Jones’ takedown, and I bet you he can probably deal with Jon Jones’ range.”

[lawrence-related id=2788063,2787964,2787883,2787817]

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

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Nov. 19: Jon Jones back on top

Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings following UFC 309 in New York.

UFC 309 took place last weekend in New York, and it produced a massive update in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] returned to action in the main event at Madison Square Garden, where he stopped former champion Stipe Miocic with a brutal spinning back kick to the body.

Entering the week at No. 5 in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings, Jones vaults back up to the No. 1 spot.

Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

Marcus McGhee eyes Jose Aldo after Martinez’s UFC 309 half-horse kicks

Marcus McGhee won for the sixth straight time – but failed to get a post-fight bonus for the first time in his four-fight UFC run.

NEW YORK – [autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag] beat Jonathan Martinez with a unanimous decision Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Take a look inside the fight with McGhee, who won for the sixth straight time – but failed to get a post-fight bonus for the first time in his four-fight UFC run.

Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez

Result: Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: McGhee (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Martinez (19-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC)
Key stats: McGhee doubled up on Martinez in the striking department and threw more than twice as many strikes, as well.

McGhee on the fight’s key moment

“Physically, I still feel pretty good. Obviously, the leg is a little bit beat up. Man, that guy kicks like a horse. I think he is a half horse, half man – I swear. You see those thighs on that guy, man? Super impressive. I feel like it’s actually pretty good and he just landed one thing and was really accurate where he landed at. It was the same spot twice. And I was like, ‘Gosh, man, I’m pretty good about taking that thing away, and you still found it, man.’ Lucky enough, I kept finding that right hand, so it ended up paying off.”

McGhee on where he’d love to fight

“I don’t want to go to Brazil. Like (to fight) anybody – I don’t want to. I’m sorry. There’s some people are like, ‘Yo, I want to go travel (to Brazil). Not me. Not me, man. I don’t want to go travel over to Brazil and fight over there. I love Brazilians. That’s all good and gravy. But man, I’m not trying to do all that.

“Japan – I will say that I just love the Japanese culture, so I would love to go to Japan. But that’s about as deep as it gets. New York, it’s already done. That’s checked off the list. So honestly, Arizona. I want UFC to come back. I want a full turnaround. Let’s fight in Arizona.”

McGhee on what he wants next

Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) hugs Mario Bautista (blue gloves) after their fight during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave me Jose (Aldo). … We’re both right there next to each other in the rankings. He’s a little bit older. I’m a little bit older. I wouldn’t doubt that that’d be a fight that they make. … Why don’t we get Jose Aldo back in Arizona? That sounds good. That’s asking a whole lot. And that’s kind of disrespectful to that man. I don’t know what. I’m talking about.”

To hear more from McGhee, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

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

[vertical-gallery id=2787436]

[vertical-gallery id=2787243]

Marcin Tybura loved his bloody win, but was surprised by Jhonata Diniz’s game plan at UFC 309

Marcin Tybura dominated and forced a doctor’s stoppage after 10 minutes, which infuriated a bloodied and battered Jhonata Diniz.

NEW YORK – [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag] beat Jhonata Diniz with a second-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Take a look inside the fight with Tybura, who dominated Diniz on the canvas and forced a doctor’s stoppage after 10 minutes, which infuriated a bloodied and battered Diniz.

Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Marcin Tybura (red gloves) fights Jhonata Diniz (blue gloves) in the Heavyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Result: Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
Updated records: Tybura (26-9 MMA, 13-8 UFC), Diniz (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Key stats: Tybura outstruck Diniz by a massive 153-27, mostly in ground-and-pound from his more than 7 minutes of control time in 10 minutes.

Tybura on the fight’s key moment

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Marcin Tybura (red gloves) fights Jhonata Diniz (blue gloves) in the Heavyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“It was (what I expected). I wasn’t so sure if it would be easy to mount him, but it was – although he was really tough. He was punching even from this from his back, and he was still dangerous out there, and he was trying to sweep me all the time. It was really hard to stabilize him. I got the mount position pretty easy, but he was tough there. He was really tough.”

Tybura on short notice prep

“It was two weeks’ notice (after Diniz took the fight). I was doing some training. I was sparring, also, because I have other friends who are preparing for fights. So I decidee to take it, and the last two weeks we went really hard on the training – and that was it.”

Tybura on what he wants next

“Probably a fresh opponent would be the nicest, but I don’t have names. I don’t have a date. It’s hard to say because this one came up and I agreed (at the last minute), so I’m really willing to wait for what comes and then decide.”

To hear more from Tybura, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

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

[vertical-gallery id=2787334]

[vertical-gallery id=2787243]

David Onama happy with short-notice Romero win at UFC 309 – but still wants Lucas Almeida

David Onama fought Roberto Romero on just a few days’ notice when Lucas Almeida pulled out. Now he wants that fight rebooked.

NEW YORK – [autotag]David Onama[/autotag] beat Roberto Romero with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Take a look inside the fight with Onama, who fought Romero on a few days’ notice when Lucas Almeida pulled out

David Onama def. Roberto Romero

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; David Onama (red gloves) reacts after defeating Roberto Romero (blue gloves) in the lightweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Result: David Onama def. Roberto Romero via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Onama (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Romero (8-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Onama won the striking battle 145-79 and had nearly a full round of control time as a 25-1 betting favorite.

Onama on the fight’s key moment

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; David Onama (red gloves) fights Roberto Romero (blue gloves) in the lightweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“I knew the kid’s going to come to fight, so when he (clipped me in the first round), I was like, I need to recover, get him back in the second round – which I did. But things happen and I need to still (react) – I knew he was going to come out to fight – in New York City, MSG … like, who wouldn’t come out and perform like that?”

Onama on the ultra short-notice replacement

“Honestly, it didn’t matter who they put in front of me (on a few days’ notice). I was prepared throughout my whole fight camp, so I was ready. I was ready for this week. It didn’t matter who they put in front of me. I knew my manager was going to find me somebody and I just had to stay ready. When they offered me him, I knew he was going to bring it. He’s a (UFC) debut guy – I know he was going to. I knew who was going to be hungry, so I wasn’t surprised. He came in like he was ready for this. I knew he was going to come out and put a put up a good fight, which he did. I wasn’t surprised at all.”

Onama on what he wants next

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 15: (L-R) Lucas Almeida of Brazil punches Timmy Cuamba in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“I still want that fight (with Lucas Almeida after he pulled out). I want that fight in the future. Hopefully February or March – I still want it. (I was) all prepared. Everything I did (in camp) was for him. I feel like I went and got dropped today (against Romero). I want (Almeida) back. He did this. He’s the one that caused all this, so I want him back. They called me and said he was. He was injured. I didn’t talk too much about it. I pulled out of a fight before because of my injuries, so I didn’t want to talk too much about that, whatever he had going on. I don’t want to speak about it. (I hope for a) fast recovery for him and his team, but I want that fight back.”

To hear more from Onama, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

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

[vertical-gallery id=2787372]

[vertical-gallery id=2787243]

Chael Sonnen, Daniel Cormier agree how Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou would unfold

After UFC 309, Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier doubt Francis Ngannou’s chances against Jon Jones.

After UFC 309, [autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] and [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] doubt [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag]’s chances against [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) retained his UFC heavyweight title when he finished Stipe Miocic in the third round with a spinning back kick to the body in Saturday’s main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Watching Jones dominate Miocic (20-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) from start to finish makes Sonnen think former UFC heavyweight champ and current PFL heavyweight superfights champ Ngannou would’ve struggled against Jones.

“Do you know what Jon would have done to Francis Ngannou in hindsight?” Sonnen said on “Good Guy/Bad Guy” with Daniel Cormier. “Now that we look back, Jon would have picked that big man a part. I mean, I’m just sharing with you, like, that’s a big man’s nightmare. Jon’s not a heavyweight; Jon is fighting at heavyweight. There’s a massive difference.”

Jones and Ngannou were on a collision course before Ngannou opted to sign with PFL. Cormier, who fought Jones twice, was especially impressed with his former rival’s wrestling.

“Yes, dude, Francis would have struggled with Jones,” Cormier said. “Dude, he threw Stipe down and just beat the crap out of him. He literally grabbed him by the neck, stepped behind his leg and threw him down. He choke slammed him and just beat him on the ground.”

[lawrence-related id=2784582,2784564,2782389,2765292]

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

Jon Jones reacts to No. 2 pound-for-pound ranking after UFC 309

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones shares his thoughts on his No. 2 pound-for-pound ranking after his win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.

Unlike UFC CEO Dana White, [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] had a very different take on his pound-for-pound placement in the UFC official rankings.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC), considered by most as the greatest fighter in MMA history, was put as No. 2 on the UFC pound-for-pound rankings following his successful title defense at Saturday’s UFC 309. Jones, who defended his UFC heavyweight title by stopping Stipe Miocic, was happy with his rankings – especially considering he’s the oldest fighter on the list. It’s a stance that differs from White, who believes Jones should be the clear No. 1.

“Being ranked number 2 pound per pound at 37 years old, I’m happy with that,” Jones wrote on X on Tuesday.

Being ranked number 2 pound per pound at 37 years old, I’m happy with that. ☀️

— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 19, 2024

Jones is seen by many as undefeated in MMA, given his only loss was a disqualification due to an elbow strike that has now been made legal. After dominating the UFC light heavyweight division for years, Jones took a three-year break from the sport to return as a heavyweight and win the title vacated by Francis Ngannou in early 2023.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is the only fighter ranked above Jones at ranked No. 1. The rankings are composed of an independent panel that updates them after every UFC event.

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