Jon Jones will 'most likely' retire after fighting Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 | News, results, highlights, stats and rumors

UFC 309 could be the last time Jon Jones enters the Octagon.

The heavyweight champion told Clocked N' Loaded that his fight against Stipe Miocic on November 16 will be “his last competition,” but was quick to acknowledge that this was “more than likely” but not definite.

Given his age (37 years) and his sporadic participation in competitions, it is no big 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 capture the vacant heavyweight title, ending a three-year hiatus stemming from a long-running salary dispute with the UFC.

From a competition perspective, Jones' legacy in MMA is also largely assured. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time, having dominated the light heavyweight division before successfully moving up to the heavyweight division.

However, some fans may be a little disappointed by Jones' decision to leave the sport in this way.

Victory over Miocic will not mean what it once did if Jones emerges victorious. Miocic turned 42 in August and his last fight ended in both a second-round knockout and a second-round loss in March 2021.

Jones vs Miocic was originally scheduled to take place last November before the former tore a pectoral muscle in training. It makes sense to stick to that plan as it is likely to be a good result commercially.

Much more interesting, however, is the encounter between Jones and Tom Aspinall, who won the interim heavyweight title in 2023 and successfully defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July. Aspinall has a record of 15-3 and 12 wins by knockout or TKO.