Jon Jones ‘more than likely’ to retire after Stipe Miocic fight at UFC 309 | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

UFC 309 may be the last time Jon Jones steps into the Octagon.

The heavyweight champion told Clocked N’ Loaded that his Nov. 16 showdown with Stipe Miocic “will be the last time” he fights, but was quick to admit that it is “more than likely” but not definite.

Considering his age of 37 and the fact that he has competed so sporadically, it is no surprise that he wants to officially end his career.

Jones has not fought since March 2023, when he defeated Ciryl Gane in the first round at UFC 285 to claim the vacant heavyweight title, ending a three-year hiatus that stemmed from a long-running pay dispute with the UFC.

From a competitive perspective, Jones’ legacy in MMA is also largely secured. He is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of all time after dominating the light heavyweight division before successfully moving up to heavyweight.

Some fans probably won’t be too pleased with Jones’ retirement from the sport in this way.

Beating Miocic won’t mean what it once did if Jones comes out on top. Miocic turned 42 in August and his last fight ended in a second-round knockout, coming all the way back in March 2021.

Jones vs. Miocic was originally scheduled to take place last November before the former tore his pectoral muscle in training. Sticking with the plan makes sense, as this is likely to be a solid commercial draw.

However, pitting Jones against Tom Aspinall, who claimed the interim heavyweight championship in 2023 and successfully defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July, is a much more interesting matchup. Aspinall is 15-3 with 12 wins by knockout or TKO.