UFC 309 by the numbers – GOAT vs. GOAT, retirement, MSG history

Next week, the UFC will hold its penultimate pay-per-view event of the year as the promotion moves its show on the road to Madison Square Garden in New York City for UFC 309.

In the main event, UFC Heavyweight Champion John Jones puts his belt on the line against a former champion Stipe Miocic. The fight was originally scheduled to take place at UFC 295 a year ago, but Jones was forced to withdraw due to a torn pectoral tendon.

This will be Miocic’s first time in the Octagon since 2021. Luckily for MMA fans, it will be a fight against a new opponent. Miocic’s five fights since 2018 have been against the same two opponents: Francis Ngannou And Daniel Cormier.

There are also plenty of other intriguing fights on the map, as Charles Oliveira And Michael Chandler go head to head in the co-main event and rising prospect Bo Nickal returns to action.

Here are the numbers behind UFC 309, starting with the highly anticipated heavyweight title fight.

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1

For the first time in UFC men’s history, two GOATs in different weight classes are fighting.

While the UFC is still a relatively young promotion (November marks the 31st anniversary of the company’s founding in 1993), there don’t appear to be many “firsts” left on the roster.

Perhaps the most notable remaining first is the duel between the greatest fighters of the two another divisions.

Of course, there were many fights between champions. And a lot of great fights between fighters who can call themselves the best in the same division. But the UFC 309 main event is different.

When Jones, the best light heavyweight in MMA history, takes on Miocic, the UFC’s most decorated heavyweight, it will be the first time the two GOATs of the UFC division will go head to head.

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2011

The last time Jon Jones stepped into the Octagon was without a title on the line.

Jones’s dominance was astounding. Of his 23 fights since his UFC debut in 2008, more than two-thirds have had title implications. Each of Jones’ last 16 fights were for the UFC championship.

The fact that Jones hasn’t lost a title shot in the UFC is the icing on the cake. However, in 2017, he scored a knockout victory over former two-time UFC champion Daniel Cormier, who later pulled out of the fight after Jones tested positive for a banned substance.

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4

Number of undefeated MMA races Paul Craig ended in UFC

When the UFC needs to check the quality of a promising prospect, there is one man to call: Paul Craig. Craig has had his share of ups and downs in the Octagon, but when the UFC puts him up against undefeated opponents, it brings out the best in the Scottish fighter.

Of his seven fights against undefeated fighters, Craig won four, including an impressive knockout victory over the future light heavyweight champion. Jamahal Hill in 2021 and a submission victory in 2019 over Magomed Ankalaevwho is expected to be next in line to fight for the 205-pound belt. Craig also gave Enrique da Silva And Kennedy Nzechukwu their first losses in 2016 and 2019, respectively.

On the UFC 309 main card, Craig will face the sport’s undefeated No. 1 prospect, Bo Nick. Will Nickal be the next fighter to lose to Craig?

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4 (again)

Possible entry to UFC 309

Next Saturday’s fight card at Madison Square Garden could give fans the end of an era for MMA. There are four fighters who appear to have the opportunity to retire at UFC 309. In fact, the main event could be followed by a rare double retirement, as Jones and Miocic have both indicated their heavyweight title fight could be the last of their careers. Even one of Jones’ coaches said he thought this was his last fight camp.

“Whenever John is ready (to retire), I’m always there for him,” Jones’ longtime trainer Brandon Gibson told MMA Fighting. “I’m approaching this like it’s our last outing, our last rodeo.”

We could also see veterans Jim Miller42 and Chris Weidman40 year old, leave your gloves in the octagon next weekend. Miller, who holds the UFC record for total fights (44), wins (26) and submission attempts (48), has been in the UFC since 2008. And Weidman, a former UFC middleweight champion, has been in the UFC since 2011. Both fighters hail from the Northeast—Miller is from New Jersey, Weidman is from New York—and ending their careers on the famed arena could be a fitting end to their careers.

In an interview with MMA Fighting after the victory over Bruno Silva in March, Weidman said, “I probably would have retired if I hadn’t performed there.” And while Miller hasn’t expressed any interest in retiring soon, it’s safe to assume that the end of his UFC career is near.

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735

Days after Michael Chandler’s last fight

It was long It’s been a while since we’ve seen the former Bellator lightweight champion compete in the Octagon. Chandler was out of the game for two years, but not due to injury or even personal reasons. Instead, Chandler was looking forward to a big-money fight with the sport’s biggest star. Conor McGregor. After such a long layoff, Chandler decided to go in a different direction, turning down a fight with McGregor in favor of a rematch of his 2021 lightweight title fight with Oliveira.

McGregor has postponed his fight with Chandler on multiple occasions, most recently due to an injury that forced him to pull out of his scheduled fight at UFC 303 in June. While Chandler wasn’t the reason the fight fell through, he – and his UFC title hopes – suffered the most when the fight didn’t happen.

What will Chandler look like after two years of inactivity? Has his window to win a UFC title closed? We’ll get the answer to those questions when he faces Oliveira on November 16th.

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1-1

Judges’ Score for Oliveira-Chandler Round 1

Speaking of the co-main event of UFC 309. Despite the knockout, Oliveira scored early in the second round Oliveira-Chandler 1, according to the judges’ cards, Chandler was in complete control of the situation in the first round. All three judges gave Chandler the win in the first round – two judges even counted this round. 10-8 in favor of Chandler.

The victory was the biggest victory of Oliveira’s career, as it earned him the lightweight belt and marked the first of three straight title fight wins at the end. Considering Do the Bronx lost by split decision Arman TsarukyanThis may be the fight he needs to get himself back into title contention.

Since Oliveira and Chandler each won a round in the first fight, this rematch could allow Chandler to right his wrongs. Or Oliveira could hand Chandler another loss and leave him once again in no man’s land in the lightweight division.

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100%

Bo Nickal and Marcus McGeefinishing speed inside the octagon

Nickal and McGee are the only fighters with three or more UFC appearances who boast excellent finishing records inside the Octagon. Both fighters are 3-0 in the UFC, with Nickal having two submissions and one knockout and McGee having two knockouts and one submission.

Both fighters will face their toughest test yet at MSG as Nickal faces submission specialist and certified unbeaten streak holder Paul Craig and McGee takes on men’s bantamweight veterans. Jonathan Martinez.

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8

UFC events will take place at Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden is perhaps the most famous place in the world of sports. MSG has been home to many great moments in sports history. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier 1 and 2. Both New York Knicks NBA Championship wins. New York LibertyWinning the WNBA Championship. Oh, and we can’t forget WrestleMania 1.

There are a few standout UFC fights that also make the list: Conor McGregor becomes the first two-time UFC champion vs. Eddie Alvarez, Georges Saint-Pierre returning from retirement to become middleweight champion against Michael Bisping And Alex Pereira win middleweight title Israel Adesanya and goes 3-0 against its opponent.

Jones’ fight with Miocic for the heavyweight title could soon join that list – and it could be a landmark moment.