Jones-Miocic to headline UFC 309 in New York

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title against former champ Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York, the promotion announced Saturday.

The event will also feature a middleweight bout between rising star Bo Nickal and Paul Craig.

Jones-Miocic was originally scheduled to headline UFC 295 at the same venue last November. However, a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery forced Jones out of the fight.

Jones hasn't stepped into the Octagon since capturing the vacant heavyweight title with a first-round submission of Ciryl Gane in March 2023. The 37-year-old was a longtime light heavyweight champion before moving up in weight to compete for a second belt.

Miocic's last fight came in March 2021 when he dropped the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou in a second-round knockout loss. The 42-year-old held the strap on two occasions and is widely considered the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.

In the UFC 309 co-main event, Michael Chandler will return from a two-year layoff to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a rematch of their 2021 title bout.