UFC 309 preview – Jon Jones makes heavyweight return at Madison Square Garden

Three former champions top the main card of UFC 309 as Dana White’s organisation returns to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

In the main event, Jon Jones makes his return in potentially his final rodeo against the GOAT heavyweight, Stipe Miocic. This is possibly however the most controversial match-up in recent memory due to Manchester born Tom Aspinall not being given a shot at the belt. Aspinall is seen to be the guy to finally beat Jones.

Jones is under fire for avoiding the tricky match-up against Aspinall, in favour of a more favourable fight against an ageing Miocic. However Miocic’s credentials speak for itself, having the most title defences in UFC heavyweight history and holding wins over some of the best in the divisions memory.

However his best days are likely behind him, the 42 year old is coming off a brutal KO loss from Francis Ngannou. Whoever wins this contest, it will be very interesting to see if they take the fight with young bull Aspinall. With the interim champ requesting the undisputed belt wrapped around his waist by the winner of Saturday’s Main event.

UFC 309’s co-main features two top five lightweights, former champion Charles Oliveira faces off against former Bellator champ, Michael Chandler. This fight sells itself. Round one will no doubt be an incredible spectacle, like all Chandler fights.

These two have faced off for the lightweight belt previously, Chandlers one punch KO power was an issue for Oliveira, however the Brazilian doesn’t lack in the KO department either, knocking Chandler down with a mean hook, and stopping the contest via ground and pound.

This fight will no doubt be an explosive one, Chandler is coming off a long lay-off waiting for the Mcgregor fight so ring rust may play a factor as Oliveira has been very active, fighting the worlds best. We will see on the 16th.

Undefeated Bo Nickal returns at MSG, finally making a step-up in competition in an interesting stylistic match-up against veteran Paul Craig. Nickal obviously boasts top-notch wrestling skills, being a three-time NCAA champion.

However Craig has good Jiu Jitsu skills in his arsenal, he will likely prove to be a submission threat from the bottom, proven by his numerous wins via triangle choke in the UFC. Nickal will come into the contest a heavy favourite, the general consensus will be that Nickal’s wrestling will be too much for the Scotsman, however Craig holds undeniable knockout power, holding a KO win against former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill. This bout is a one to watch.

Also on the card is a women’s flyweight bout between Karine Silva and Viviane Araujo. Araujo is a UFC veteran, fighting against the best of the women’s division, including former champion Alexa Grasso and top contenders like Amanda Ribas and Jessica Eye.

Araujo will hope to utilise her experience against prospect, Silva. Silva seems to be a serious talent, undefeated and on a five fight win streak since joining the UFC. Silva broke into the top ten rankings of the flyweight division, and she will look to push on against the veteran Araujo.

Kicking off the main card, exciting prospect Mauricio Ruffy hopes to extend his unbeaten start to his UFC career against ‘Goku’ James Llontop, coming off a narrow loss to Viacheslav Borshchav. Ruffy will come in heavy favourite as the Brazilian will look to continue his 100% KO rate in the UFC.

Former champion Chris Weidman features on the prelims, after returning to the win column back in March, against solid kickboxer, Bruno Silva. Weidman will look to build on this as he hopes to push on and return to middleweight contention come Saturday night.

On the back of a majorly successful UFC 308, Dana White hopes his fighters will deliver on Saturday night as the UFC returns to the biggest stage, New York City’s Madison Square Garden.