The UFC heads to New York’s iconic Madison Square Gardens for a blockbuster fight card this weekend. In a match-up that has been a long time coming, UFC greats Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic will battle it out for Heavyweight supremacy in what could be both of their last fights in their respective careers. In the co-main, Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira are set to do battle in a rematch that is sure to have fans on the edge of their seats and Bo Nickal faces his toughest test to date against sneaky grappler in Paul Craig. We take a look at my best bets on the card below.
UFC 309 Preview & Predictions
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
Since 2023 when Jones claimed Heavyweight gold, this is the fight UFC matchmakers, Jones and most fans wanted to see. It has been a long-drawn-out process since and many had given up on this fight even happening as top prospect turned interim champ Tom Aspinall burst onto the scene. However, we finally have the fight this weekend and the winner will either do battle with Aspinall in what would likely be the greatest Heavyweight fight the UFC has seen, or both Jones and Miocic will ride off into the sunsets as MMA legends.
Miocic comes into this fight having not made the walk to the Octagon in three years and is without a win since 2020, yikes. He is also 42 and it has been shown in the past that he can be rocked and knocked into oblivion. While Jones is the greatest to ever grace the sport but he too is also out of his prime. He steamrolled Ciryl Gane on the ground to claim Heavyweight supremacy but hasn’t fought since.
There are so many unanswered questions but most are on the side of the former champion Miocic. I believe back when he was champion he could have given Jones some serious problems but nowadays it is hard to imagine he has what it takes to defeat ‘Bones’. Miocic’s chin in the late stage of his career has failed him on several occasions and it will again here. While Jones isn’t a one-punch knockout artist, he is better on the ground and before long will methodically break down Miocic and stop him with a barrage of punches.
Jon Jones by KO/TKO
$2.20 (3 Units)
Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
This is going to be fun. This is a rematch of a fight that took place in 2021. In that fight, Chandler dropped ‘Do Bronx’ in the opening round and swarmed him but was unable to find the finishing punch. He then was made to pay in the second as Oliveira took him down and locked up a choke.
Time and time again when we have rematches I see so many pundits expect things to go differently. The fact is both men will come forward, Chandler will look for the knockout and Oliveira will capitalise on any opening to lock up a choke or counter. It will be another entertaining fight but it will finish the same way, with the Brazilian putting the American to sleep.
Charles Oliveira to win by submission
$2.50 (2 Units)
Main Card Multi
A perfect opportunity to join Silva and Ruffy in a multi here to make it juicier. Silva is 4-0 in the Octagon and meets an experienced fighter in Viviane Araujo who has been in the UFC since 2019. But Silva is simply better everywhere. The easy route to victory for Silva on the ground, where she should take it before long and either take a comfortable 30-27 decision or wrap up a slick submission and get the tap.
While for Marcus Ruffy this is a handpicked fight to get his name on fight fans’ lips. All ten of Ruffy’s wins come by knockout and he meets James Llontop, a fighter who seriously lacks head movement and is taking this fight on short notice. It only ends one way.
Karine Silva and Marcus Ruffy
$1.55 (4 Units)
