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Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer
Two staples atop the MMA pound-for-pound list used UFC 309 to remind the sporting world why they’ve been among the best for so long.
In the main event, heavyweight champion Jon Jones dismantled former beltholder Stipe Miocic to retain the title via third-round TKO. Jones put on a striking clinic, unleashing vicious ground and pound in Round 1 before keeping the fight standing in the final two frames and forcing a stoppage with a spinning back kick to the body.
In the co-main event, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira beat Michael Chandler by unanimous decision in a dramatic rematch of their 2021 bout for the then-vacant belt.
Also on the card, Bo Nickal maintained his unblemished record with a win over Paul Craig that left many fight fans wanting more from the top prospect.
Following a fight card that featured three of the best in the history of MMA in action, how should the future matchmaking play out? Here’s what should be next for the top fighters from UFC 309.
Jon Jones, heavyweight
Who should be next: Tom Aspinall
If Jones doesn’t want to unify the heavyweight championship against Aspinall, then he should retire. He’s the most decorated athlete the sport has ever seen, and no active fighter is even close to matching him. He’s earned everything, and the UFC has properly respected him.
The UFC could have — and arguably should have — pressed the Aspinall fight on Jones already but went with the Miocic fight instead. The promotion once moved an entire card from Nevada to California, when Jones ran into licensing issues. Both sides have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership. But, the UFC doesn’t owe Jones his preferred fight against Alex Pereira. The only fight that makes sense for him is Aspinall. If he doesn’t want it, that’s fine. Jones doesn’t owe the UFC anything.
Wildcard: Retirement
He’s said he’s content in walking away. If he wants to vacate the UFC title and drop to 205 pounds to challenge Pereira, then that’s a different story. But the UFC can not justify booking a heavyweight bout against Jones and Pereira as long as Aspinall is ready. If Jones takes the fight, that would be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history. Otherwise, the move is to retire.
Charles Oliveira, lightweight
Who should be next: Winner of Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan
The UFC hasn’t announced an official date for Makhachev’s title defense against Tsarukyan, but it’s expected to be booked for UFC 311 on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles. That’s only two months away. Oliveira was supposed to fight for the title in October 2023, but was forced to pull out with a cut to his eyebrow. He basically lost his title shot to an injury and then fought Tsarukyan in a non-title fight at UFC 300. Now, he’s the No. 1 contender again, and I have a hard time envisioning a scenario where he would risk that again.
Wildcard: Max Holloway
The only possibility in which I could see him risking it is if the UFC got desperate for a main event to add to a card and wanted Oliveira to face Holloway in a BMF fight. That’s always a possibility. The company comes up with a need and makes a fighter a financial offer he can’t refuse. It’s possible, but not likely. I expect Oliveira to wait on the title shot he deserves, and I think the UFC will let him do so. He’s turned into one of the most popular fighters on the roster, and any attempt to reclaim the belt will be a big fight for the UFC.
Michael Chandler, lightweight
Who should be next: Conor McGregor
If McGregor fights, and I hope he does, but I don’t see it. McGregor is the top choice for Chandler because it’s the perfect fight. It makes so much sense for both parties. If McGregor does not come back now to face Chandler under these circumstances, I think he is never going to fight again. Fingers crossed it somehow comes together in 2025, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Wildcard: Paddy Pimblett
If Chandler isn’t going to fight the biggest star in the lightweight division, perhaps he should fight a potential rising star. It’s been a little touch-and-go for Pimblett in terms of performance, but he is 6-0 inside the Octagon. He is entering a stage to fight top 10 competition. If Pimblett does prove to be the real deal, this would be the kind of fight to raise his celebrity. And you’d think it would have some appeal for Chandler, an opportunity to hand Pimblett his first UFC loss.
Bo Nickal, middleweight
Who should be next: Anthony Hernandez
While the MMA world seems to think Saturday was a bad night for Nickal, I see it differently. Nickal spent 15 minutes in the Octagon against an opponent ranked in the UFC’s top 15, did not shoot a single takedown and won by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). How can that be construed as a negative?
I get it. It wasn’t terribly exciting and the crowd wanted to see Nickal go for the finish, but what was his incentive to do so, other than be reckless for the sake of entertainment? Craig didn’t do much in that fight. I didn’t see any combinations or power punches from Craig that made me think he was that interested in getting the win. If anything, he seemed content to taunt Nickal simply because the crowd was already giving him a hard time. Craig was obviously down on the scorecards and didn’t take any risk himself. Nickal winning a standup fight, at this stage in his development, was probably never going to be pretty. However, the mere fact it happened, is a positive sign for his overall skill set. I don’t view Saturday as any reason to get off the Nickal train, but at the same time, it did show there’s no need to rush him. The next step is facing the top 15. Hernandez is ranked No. 13.
Wildcard: Jack Hermansson
Same thought process as the Hernandez fight. Hermansson is ranked No. 12 and has become something of a gatekeeper for the division.
Jim Miller, lightweight
Who should be next: Daniel Zellhuber
Stating the obvious here: Miller’s accomplishment of 45 UFC fights in the UFC is remarkable. The fact he’s still winning more than his fair share of them is hard to wrap your head around. He says he’s shooting for 50 fights. He can fight anyone, really. You can make a case for just about any lightweight on the roster to fight Miller, at least any lightweight ranked outside the top 15. I’ll throw Zellhuber’s name out there because the UFC has reason to give him a recognizable name. He’s 25 and is marketable, as a young Mexican talent. He’s 3-2 in the UFC, with two of those three wins going to decision. He’s not out of Miller’s league, nor is Miller out of his. The age and experience discrepancy alone makes it intriguing. If Zellhuber wins, he gets to add a name to his resume. If Miller wins, he gets to say he’s still getting the better of 25-year-old prospects.
Wildcard: Esteban Ribovics
If I’m going to throw Zellhuber’s name in the hat, I might as well throw in Ribovics as well. Ribovics just beat Zellhuber at UFC Noche in September, in a fun, competitive bout. He’s 3-1 in the UFC and probably a more dangerous finisher than Zellhuber at this point in their careers. He’d be a tall task for Miller, but Miller’s not exactly seeking easy fights. He seems down to fight anyone in this final stage, as has been the case his entire career.