Jon Jones Turned His Training Comeback Into a UFC 309 Title
Jon Jones retained the UFC heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024. The UFC 309 main event ended by technical knockout at 4:29 of the third round after a spinning back kick and follow-up punches.
The delayed return
Jones had won the heavyweight belt by submitting Ciryl Gane in March 2023. A planned defense against Miocic in November that year was postponed after Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle.
In July 2024, Jones posted that he weighed 260 pounds while preparing for a November return. He described satisfaction with his progress following surgery and the training still ahead. The figure referred to that training update rather than an official weigh-in.
The championship fight in New York
When they finally met, Jones established control with a first-round trip takedown and damaging ground strikes. Miocic survived the opening round, but Jones continued attacking the body and varying his kicks as the contest progressed.
The decisive spinning back kick landed to Miocic’s midsection in the third round. Jones followed with punches to complete the stoppage and preserve the heavyweight title he had captured the previous year.
Miocic announced his retirement after the contest. For Jones, the victory completed the long-delayed defense against the former champion after injury and rehabilitation had interrupted the original booking.
Sources
- UFC: November 16 official result, finish and location
- MMA Mania: Jones’s July training update and postponed defense
- Sportsnet: fight sequence and Miocic’s retirement announcement
