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 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
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
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
“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
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
“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.
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
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
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
“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.
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
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
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
“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.
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.”
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. ☀️
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.
Dan Hooker isn’t a fan of Michael Chandler throwing his name into the hat for a BMF title fight.
[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] isn’t a fan of [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] throwing his name into the hat for a BMF title fight.
Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) was initially gunning for a title fight with a win over Charles Oliveira Saturday at UFC 309, but after suffering a unanimous decision loss to the Brazilian at Madison Square Garden, the 38-year-old turned his attention to the BMF title, which Max Holloway currently holds.
“Hey, I had a bunch of callouts, I was supposed to show up tonight, do my job, and win the fight,” Chandler said post-fight at UFC 309. “Forget calling out Islam, Charles is doing that next. Maybe Max Holloway for the BMF belt.
“Or, Conor McGregor, if you can ever get your house back in order while us real professionals have been keeping the octagon warm, we’re wondering where you’ve been, Conor. Come back and beat me, if you can!”
Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC), who since losing to Chandler in January 2021 has won four of his past six, criticized Chandler’s callout, and thinks the fans should decide who gets to fight for the BMF title.
“I don’t see Chandler calling for the BMF,” Hooker told Submission Radio. “Why does everyone keep throwing their hands up for the BMF? It’s not up to us. It’s not our title. It’s the BMF. The BMF title is for the fans. It’s up to the fans. People need to stop calling out for the BMF title, brother. That’s the fans’ title – it’s their fun.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.
Chael Sonnen is not happy with Bo Nickal’s performance at UFC 309 and blames his team for that.
[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] is not happy with [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s performance at UFC 309.
Nickal (7-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) remained unbeaten when he outstruck Paul Craig (17-9-1 MMA, 9-9-1 UFC) in Saturday’s main card at Madison Square Garden in New York. Despite sweeping the scorecards, Nickal was met with boos by the crowd and a chant of “overrated.”
Sonnen thinks Nickal looked composed but was irked with how little activity took place in the fight. He wasn’t a fan of his game plan, in which Nickal didn’t attempt a single takedown.
“My problem with it and my gripe is that you have a four-time world champion. … Doesn’t do one damn bit of wrestling because somebody got a hold of him,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “One of his trainers or his training partners sat him down and said, ‘You’re not ready to go to the ground with the guy.’ Well how the F would we know? How in the F we would know that now?”
Nickal called his performance “picture-perfect,” alluding to a successful game plan. Sonnen puts the responsibility on Nickal’s corner for not encouraging him to play to his strengths, and pointed to Georges St-Pierre as an example of someone who never strayed away from his game plan.
“You do not look at your opponent’s game to decide your strategy,” Sonnen said. “That is nothing that Bo has ever done. He didn’t show Gabe Dean that respect. He didn’t show Myles Martin that respect. He did not show David Taylor that respect. And he refuses to take down. A four-time world champion refuses to use one bit of wrestling against a guy that’s never had a wrestling match. That is because of somebody in his trusted inner circle.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.
What are the immediate outlooks for Charles Oliveira and Bo Nickal coming out of UFC 309? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”
Jon Jones was obviously the protagonist of UFC 309, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t other interesting storylines on the card.
Sarurday’s pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden in New York City saw former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] get back in the win column as he defeated Michael Chandler in a thrilling rematch. Right before that lightweight clash, top prospect [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag] extended his unbeaten run by outpointing Paul Craig in a showing that was criticized by many. These were just two of the many highlights from the card.
Can Oliveira win back the UFC lightweight belt? Is Bo Nickal ready to fight ranked opposition?
MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn, Danny Segura and host Gorgeous George discuss some of the key results outside the main event for UFC 309.
Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube or in podcast form.
Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” covering 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 Farah Hannoun debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:
[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] was a meaningless UFC heavyweight title fight.
UFC 309 proved Jon Jones would lose to [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag].
Things are about to get ugly between Jon Jones and [autotag]Dana White[/autotag].
[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] should stop acting so desperate to fight [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag].
[autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s UFC 309 performance was a huge disappointment.
[autotag]Jake Paul [/autotag]vs. [autotag]Mike Tyson[/autotag]: What the hell was that?
The UFC totally redeemed itself with the UFC 310/UFC Tampa shakeup.
