Let’s be real for a second. Most of the build-up to the UFC 309 full fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic felt like a long-winded debate about age, ring rust, and legacy. You had a champion who hadn’t fought in over a year and a challenger who hadn't stepped into the cage in nearly four. People were skeptical. Honestly, I was one of them. But what happened at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024, wasn't just a "legend vs. legend" showcase—it was a definitive statement.
Jones didn't just win; he methodically dismantled the greatest heavyweight in the history of the sport.
The Night Jon Jones Reminded Everyone Why He’s the GOAT
The atmosphere in NYC was electric. Even with the heavy ticket prices—it was the fourth largest gate in UFC history at over $16.6 million—the arena felt like a pressure cooker. When the opening bell rang for the main event, the tension was thick.
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Jones looked different. He was heavy, calculated, and terrifyingly calm. In the first round, he didn't waste time testing the waters. He secured a slick foot sweep that put Miocic on his back, and for the next four minutes, it was a clinic. Jones landed brutal elbows from the top, the kind that make you wonder how a human being stays conscious. Stipe survived that round, but you could see it in his eyes: the speed gap was massive.
The Finishing Blow
By the third round, Miocic was trying to find a home for his legendary right hand, but Jones was playing a different game. He was mixing up levels, stabbing at the body with kicks, and then—boom.
A spinning back kick to the ribs.
It sounded like a car door slamming. Stipe crumpled. It wasn't one of those flash knockouts where the lights go out; it was a "my body has shut down" moment. Jones followed up with a few more strikes, and referee Herb Dean stepped in at 4:29 of Round 3.
Why the UFC 309 Full Fight Still Matters Today
In the rearview mirror of 2026, we now know that UFC 309 was the beginning of the end of an era. Stipe Miocic announced his retirement right there in the Octagon. He left his gloves on the canvas, a silent "thank you" to a career that saw him defend the belt more than anyone else.
But for Jones, the aftermath was more complicated. He didn't retire that night. Instead, he did the most Jon Jones thing possible: he celebrated, did the "Trump dance" for the cameras, and then teased everyone about his future. We eventually got the official retirement news in June 2025, which finally cleared the path for Tom Aspinall to become the undisputed king.
Looking back at the footage, you see the nuance. You see Jones constantly shifting stances, something he practiced relentlessly at Jackson-Wink. You see the way he neutralized Stipe's boxing by staying just an inch outside of range. It’s a masterclass in distance management that every aspiring MMA fighter should study.
The Co-Main Chaos: Oliveira vs. Chandler 2
If the main event was a clinical execution, the co-main was a car crash in the best way possible. Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira and Michael Chandler went at it for 25 minutes.
Oliveira dominated the first four rounds. He was everywhere—taking Chandler's back, hunting for submissions, and landing crisp knees. But this is Michael Chandler we're talking about. The man doesn't know how to quit. In the fifth round, Chandler landed a massive right hand that wobbled Oliveira. The Garden went nuts.
Then came the "slams."
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With Oliveira draped over his back, Chandler literally jumped backward, slamming both of them onto the canvas multiple times. It was desperate, it was wild, and it was perfectly Michael Chandler. Ultimately, the judges saw it for Oliveira (49-46, 49-46, 49-45), but that fifth round is the reason people still search for the UFC 309 full fight highlights today.
Beyond the Big Names
The rest of the card had some gems that shouldn't be ignored.
- Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig: This was supposed to be a grappling war, but it turned into a tepid kickboxing match. Nickal won a unanimous decision, but the fans weren't thrilled. It showed that even the most hyped prospects have growing pains.
- Jim Miller: The legend himself. He secured a first-round guillotine choke against Damon Jackson. Think about that—Miller has been fighting in the UFC since 2008 and he’s still finishing guys in 2024.
- Mauricio Ruffy: The "Fighting Nerd" continued his hype train. He didn't get the finish, but his striking looked like something out of the Matrix.
Lessons for the Modern MMA Fan
If you're going back to rewatch these fights, pay attention to the bodywork. Jones won because he invested in the body early. He took the wind out of a 42-year-old legend. In modern MMA, everyone hunts for the headshot, but Jones reminded us that the liver and the ribs are just as vulnerable.
Also, look at the composure of Oliveira. Most fighters would have panicked when Chandler started slamming them in the fifth. Charles just held on. He trusted his cardio and his "dog" mentality.
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What You Can Do Next
If you want to truly understand the technical side of what happened at MSG, here is your homework:
- Study the Foot Sweep: Watch the first round of Jones vs. Miocic. Notice how Jones uses Stipe's own momentum against him. It’s a judo-based entry that is rarely seen at heavyweight.
- Analyze the Back Take: Rewatch Oliveira's transition to the back in Round 2. He moves like water. There is no friction in his movement.
- Compare the Gate: Look at the UFC 309 numbers compared to other MSG events. It’ll give you a sense of why the UFC keeps going back to New York despite the high taxes and regulations.
The UFC 309 full fight wasn't just another Saturday night at the office. It was the closing chapter for Stipe and the penultimate chapter for Jones. It’s a piece of history that looks even more impressive as time goes on.