Ultimate Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of long-awaited UFC 309

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The UFC is back at Madison Square Garden this weekend as heavyweight champion Jon Jones defends his belt against Stipe Miocic in a fight that is sure to deliver fireworks.

UFC 309: JONES VS MIOCIC | Heavyweight champion and all-time great Jon Jones will defend his title against former champion Stipe Miocic | SUN 17 NOV 2PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.

Jones is coming off a dominant submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, which saw him capture the vacant heavyweight crown in what was his first fight in three years.

It will be a return from a 20-month layoff for Jones this time around as he faces the former titleholder Miocic, who has the record for most consecutive title defences (three) and defences overall (four) in UFC heavyweight history.

Miocic last fought in March 2021 when he suffered a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou and while he would have ideally got in the octagon against Jones a long time ago when both fighters were in their prime, this is still a highly-anticipated fight between two of the promotion’s best.

Jones and Miocic were supposed to fight in the main event of UFC 295 but the former had to pull out after suffering a torn pectoral muscle.

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It is an explosive finale to a stacked card that sees Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler face off in a rematch of their previous bout in May 2021 for the vacant lightweight title.

Oliveira won that bout by second-round stoppage, but this time around Chandler — who last fought in December 2022 — is confident he can put himself back in the title frame with a win.

While Arman Tsarukyan looks like the next fighter to take on Islam Makhachev for the crown, there is an opening for Chandler or Oliveira given Dustin Poirier lost to the Russian at UFC 302 and Justin Gaethje was knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300.

Elsewhere, undefeated UFC hype machine Bo Nickal will look to make it 4-0 in the promotion when he faces veteran Paul Craig in a middleweight match-up.

Here’s everything else you need to know ahead of UFC 309!

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HOW TO WATCH

Aussie fight fans can catch all the action for UFC 309 LIVE on Main Event via Kayo.

Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.

WHEN IS IT?

UFC 309 takes place on Sunday 17 Novemeber Australian time at Madison Square Garden in New York.

START TIME (All times AEDT)

The action gets underway on Sunday morning with the early prelims at 10am, followed by the preliminary card at 12pm and main card at 2pm. You can expect Jones and Miocic to make their octagon walks at around 4pm.

BETTING ODDS (via TAB)

Jon Jones vs.Stipe Miocic

Jon Jones $1.17 to win, $2.30 to win via KO/TKO, $5 via decision, $3.25 via submission

Stipe Miocic $5 to win, $8 to win via KO/TKO, $13 via decision, $34 via submission

Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler

Charles Oliveira $1.37 to win, $3 to win via KO/TKO, $13.00 via decision, $2.50 via submission

Michael Chandler $3.10 to win, $4.50 to win via KO/TKO, $13 via decision, $10 via submission

Bo Nickal vs.Paul Craig

Bo Nickal $1.07 to win, $1.90 to win via KO/TKO, $9 via decision, $2.70 via submission

Paul Craig $8 to win, $26 to win via KO/TKO, $26 via decision, $11 via submission

FULL FIGHT CARD

Main card