What’s next after UFC 309?
Madison Square Garden, the grandest arena in combat sports history, hosted a long-anticipated clash between Jon Jones, arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, and Stipe Miocic, the UFC’s most decorated heavyweight champion. Co-headlining the event, fan favourite Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira sought to make it 2-0 against former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.
Jon Jones
As predicted, Jones dismantled Miocic in a one-sided contest. The decisive moment came via a spinning back kick to the ribs, causing fractures and a kidney laceration. This victory marked Jones' 20th consecutive win, the longest streak in UFC history.
If Jones remains at heavyweight, the only logical challenger is England's Tom Aspinall—a knockout artist who has finished six top-10 heavyweights in the first round. A potential Jones-Aspinall bout would be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history, pitting Aspinall's raw power against Jones’ unparalleled skill and experience.
Another option is Alex "Poatan" Pereira, the light heavyweight champion and a fearsome striker. Against Pereira, Jones might rely on his wrestling and submissions, but the Aspinall matchup feels more unpredictable and compelling.
Stipe Miocic
At 41, Miocic announced his retirement following the loss to Jones. A three-year layoff after his 2021 knockout defeat to Ngannou left him unprepared for a return at the highest level. Miocic’s legacy is cemented by iconic wins against Overeem, Ngannou (in their first bout), and a trilogy victory over Daniel Cormier.
Michael Chandler
Chandler’s UFC run has not matched his Bellator success. Despite thrilling bouts against elite opponents like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira (twice), and Tony Ferguson, Chandler managed to defeat only Ferguson—who was already in decline and has now suffered eight consecutive losses. After over two years of inactivity waiting for a McGregor payday, Chandler's return ended in another loss.
Now ranked 10th in the division, Chandler must now look lower in the rankings. A rematch with higher ranked Dan Hooker could be favourable having already beaten him once. A very high-risk, high-reward fight against Renato Moicano might offer a path back into contention though.
Charles Oliveira
Oliveira delivered a dominant, crowd-pleasing performance against an explosive Chandler, reaffirming his place as a top contender. The Brazilian may face the winner of Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan for the title, though he has previously lost to both. However, in his last bout with Tsarukyan, Oliveira came close to securing multiple submissions, hinting at a potentially different outcome in a rematch.
