UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic – A Historic Night at Madison Square Garden -

On the night of UFC 309, the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York played host to one of the most highly anticipated bouts in mixed martial arts history: Jon Jones, the reigning light heavyweight champion, taking on Stipe Miocic, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, for the vacant heavyweight title. The event was not only a clash of two generational fighters but also a pivotal moment in UFC history, as Jon Jones sought to make his mark in the heavyweight division and prove his supremacy across multiple weight classes.

In what turned out to be a dominant performance, Jon Jones defeated Stipe Miocic via TKO in the third round. The fight, however, wasn’t just about the outcome—it was a showcase of Jones’ all-around game, his technical precision, and his unmatched fight IQ. Here's a breakdown of the key combat statistics that contributed to Jones’ victory and his path to becoming the UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Total Strikes

Jon Jones: 104 out of 128 attempts (81.3% accuracy)

Stipe Miocic: 42 out of 94 attempts (44.7% accuracy)

Jon Jones' striking was precise and calculated throughout the fight. His reach advantage and ability to maintain distance allowed him to land at an incredibly high rate, finishing with an 81.3% accuracy on total strikes. Miocic, on the other hand, was much less efficient, landing just 44.7% of his strikes. Jones controlled the range from the outset, landing clean jabs, kicks, and even elbows, which made it difficult for Miocic to get inside and land the heavy shots that he is known for.

Impact Strikes

Jon Jones: 96 out of 119 attempts (80.7% accuracy)

Stipe Miocic: 37 out of 89 attempts (41.6% accuracy)

Jones’ ability to land impact strikes—those that have the potential to change the course of a fight—was a key factor in his dominance. With an 80.7% accuracy on impact strikes, Jones was able to wear Miocic down with precision. Miocic, despite his toughness and durability, struggled to land cleanly against Jones, and his lower impact strike percentage (41.6%) reflected how difficult it was for him to land effective shots. Jones’ ability to avoid taking damage while inflicting his own was a testament to his striking defense and ring control.

Takedowns

Jon Jones: 1 out of 1 attempt (100.0% success rate)

Stipe Miocic: 0 out of 0 attempts

One of the key moments in the fight came in the second round when Jones scored a takedown on Miocic, showcasing his wrestling skills in addition to his striking. Miocic, known for his own wrestling background, had no answer for Jones' ground game in this instance. Jones’ successful takedown was a strategic move that allowed him to neutralize Miocic’s striking and control the pace of the fight on the ground. The fact that Jones only needed one attempt to score a takedown and did so flawlessly (with a 100% success rate) demonstrated his superiority in multiple aspects of MMA.

Attempts to Surrender

Jon Jones: 0

Stipe Miocic: 0

Both fighters were incredibly tough, and neither attempted to submit the other during the fight. Miocic, despite being dominated for much of the fight, never looked close to tapping out or giving up. Similarly, Jones, while well-rounded in his submissions, didn’t look to submit Miocic but rather focused on controlling the fight from range and on the ground.

  : Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Establishing Control

From the very first round, Jon Jones was able to dictate the pace. His superior footwork and striking accuracy allowed him to score clean, effective strikes from a distance. Miocic, who is known for his boxing power, was unable to close the distance effectively due to Jones’ reach advantage and elusive movement. By the end of the round, it was clear that Jones had landed more and more precise strikes, earning a clear victory on the scorecards for the opening stanza.

Round 2: Takedown and Ground Control

Jones began to add another layer to his dominance in the second round. While he continued to outstrike Miocic, his clinch work and ability to score a takedown showed just how versatile his game was. Jones controlled Miocic on the ground, landing some ground and pound while maintaining top position. Miocic, despite his toughness, was unable to escape Jones’ control and was forced to defend for much of the round. This round further showcased Jones’ superiority in both the striking and grappling departments.

Round 3: The Finish

In the third round, Jones’ relentless pressure finally broke Miocic. After several successful exchanges, including a spinning elbow that rocked Miocic, Jones took advantage of his opponent’s fatigue. He closed the distance, clinched Miocic against the cage, and unleashed a series of brutal elbows and hammer fists. Miocic, though showing immense heart, could not recover from the barrage of strikes, and the referee stepped in to stop the fight, giving Jones the TKO victory and crowning him the new UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Jon Jones’ performance at UFC 309 was a masterclass in striking, strategy, and fight IQ. His 81.3% accuracy on total strikes, 80.7% accuracy on impact strikes, and flawless takedown execution made it clear that he was in complete control from start to finish. Miocic, one of the most durable and respected heavyweights in MMA, had no answer for Jones’ multifaceted game. While Miocic’s toughness allowed him to withstand significant damage, Jones’ ability to mix up his attacks and adapt throughout the fight was the key to his victory.

The fight was held at the iconic Madison Square Garden, a fitting location for such a historic event. Jon Jones’ victory not only secured his place as the UFC Heavyweight Champion but also cemented his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. With this win, Jones proved that he could dominate not just the light heavyweight division, but the heavyweight division as well. As for Stipe Miocic, while the loss stings, his career remains one of the most storied in UFC history, and fans are eager to see if he can bounce back and add to his already impressive legacy.

For Jon Jones, UFC 309 will go down as the night he added another ti to his collection, further cementing his place in the annals of combat sports history.