UFC 309 Overview:
UFC 309 delivered an action-packed night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Headlined by Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, & a thrilling co-main event featuring Charles Oliveira & Michael Chandler, the event showcased elite performances across its card. The main event streamed on ESPN+ pay-per-view, with prelims on ESPNEWS & ESPN+.
Main Event Recap:
Jon Jones Retains Heavyweight Title:
Jon Jones dominated former champion Stipe Miocic to retain the UFC 309 Heavyweight Championship. Utilizing precise body strikes, Jones ended the fight in Round 3 with a spinning back kick, cementing his place at the top. However, questions loom about his potential clash with interim champion Tom Aspinall.
Charles Oliveira Shines in Co-Main Event:
Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira put on a striking & grappling clinic, defeating Michael Chandler by unanimous decision after dominating four of the five rounds. Despite some risks in his approach, Oliveira showcased exceptional control & skill.
Notable Winners of UFC 309:
Bo Nickal:
Bo Nickal went the distance for the first time in his MMA career, securing a unanimous decision victory over Paul Craig. While he displayed power & determination, his performance revealed areas for improvement, especially in striking & distance management.
Viviane Araújo:
Araújo demonstrated her resilience & tactical awareness, forcing Karine Silva into a striking battle she wasn’t prepared for, ultimately winning via unanimous decision.
Jim Miller:
In his record-setting 45th UFC fight, Jim Miller submitted Damon Jackson with a guillotine choke in Round 1. The win marked Miller’s 27th UFC 390 victory, the most in the promotion’s history.
Marcin Tybura:
Tybura’s ground dominance against Jhonata Diniz led to a TKO victory via doctor stoppage, showcasing his grappling superiority.
Eduarda Moura:
Making her flyweight debut, Eduarda Moura looked dominant against Veronica Hardy, combining powerful counters with effective grappling to win via unanimous decision.
Key Losers of UFC 309:
Stipe Miocic:
Miocic struggled to keep pace with Jones & announced his retirement following the TKO loss, concluding a legendary career.
Michael Chandler:
Despite a strong final round against Oliveira, Chandler failed to gain momentum throughout most of the fight, losing via unanimous decision.
Paul Craig:
Craig exposed weaknesses in Nickal’s game but couldn’t capitalize, resulting in his third consecutive loss.
Karine Silva:
Silva’s cardio issues led to a disappointing loss against Araújo, halting her four-fight winning streak.
Jonathan Martinez:
Martinez’s strategic missteps against Marcus McGhee, particularly neglecting effective leg kicks, cost him the fight via unanimous decision.
Complete UFC 309 Results:
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV):
Jon Jones defeats Stipe Miocic via TKO (Spinning back kick) – 4:29, Round 3
Charles Oliveira defeats Michael Chandler via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45)
Bo Nickal defeats Paul Craig via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
Viviane Araújo defeats Karine Silva via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Mauricio Ruffy defeats James Llontop via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Preliminary Card (ESPNEWS):
Marcus McGhee defeats Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Jim Miller defeats Damon Jackson via submission (Guillotine choke) – 2:44, Round 1
David Onama defeats Roberto Romero via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
Marcin Tybura defeats Jhonata Diniz via TKO (Doctor stoppage) – 5:00, Round 2
Early Prelims (ESPN+):
Ramiz Brahimaj defeats Mickey Gall via KO (Punch) – 2:55, Round 1
Oban Elliot defeats Bassil Hafez via KO (Right hook) – 0:40, Round 3
Eduarda Moura defeats Veronica Hardy via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)
Conclusion:
UFC 309 offered a mix of dominant performances & hard-fought battles. With standout wins by Jon Jones, Charles Oliveira, & promising prospects like Bo Nickal, the event set the stage for exciting future matchups. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming cards & title fights!
