Jones' coach approaching UFC 309 'like it's our last rodeo'

Jon Jones' longtime striking coach, Brandon Gibson, is preparing for the UFC heavyweight champion's fight against Stipe Miocic like it's the final Octagon walk of Jones' illustrious career.

Jones is scheduled to defend his title for the first time against Miocic, a former two-time champion, in the main event of UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden. Jones, 37, has hinted that he could retire after the bout.

"Whenever Jon's ready (to retire), I'm right there with him. ... I'm approaching this one like it's our last rodeo," Gibson told MMA Fighting's Damon Martin.

Jones hasn't stepped into the cage since claiming the vacant belt with a first-round submission of Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. And Jones, widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, has competed just once in the past four-and-a-half years.

Though Jones is nearing the end of a legendary career that saw the Albuquerque-based fighter dominate the light heavyweight division for years before moving up to heavyweight, Gibson believes he could compete at the highest level for quite a while longer.

"I think physically, mentally he could go in there and have five or six more great performances," Gibson said.

"There's nothing left for Jon to prove. I think he really wants this fight with Stipe. I think this fight will help solidify Jon's status as a great heavyweight champion. But it's not something we talk about every night at the gym. We're all eyes on Nov. 16.

"But each time I go to a practice, I'm approaching it as, 'This is my last camp.' So I'm giving it my all. And you know what? If we get one more after this, if we get two more, that would be a great blessing. But I'm also ready to see Jon hang it up."

UFC CEO Dana White has said he expects the Jones-Miocic winner to stick around for a title unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall before retiring.