With UFC 309 right around the corner, the anticipation is at an all-time high! The lineup promises jaw-dropping action, but there are some intriguing twists to keep an eye on. The latest edition of our MMA News Round-Up is here to get you up to speed. First, with Jon Jones set to return to action on November 16, a recent training video of the undisputed heavyweight champion has raised eyebrows over a potential injury.

Next up, another UFC 309 fighter, Bo Nickal, made a surprising offer to Donald Trump. Finally, we’ll shift our focus over to the Michael Chandler vs Charles Oliveira rematch at Madison Square Garden clouded by rumors of a possible cancellation surrounding it, and the latest update on it!

Jon Jones leaves fans worried as training footage ahead of UFC 309 sparks injury concerns

Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are set to clash in a heavyweight showdown on November 16, with Jones putting his undisputed title on the line. Originally scheduled for UFC 295 a year ago, Jones suffering a torn pectoral muscle injury resulted in those plans falling through. Now, ‘Bones’ has recovered from the injury and is raring to get back into the cage after an extended hiatus. However, is all well with the two-weight champion?

In a recent video shared on his Instagram account, Jones can be seen working on his craft with the caption stating, “11 days #AndStill @ufc #ufc309”. In the clip, Jones looked sharp, his punches precise, his movements fluid. Yet fans couldn’t help but notice something unusual—a bandage wrapped around his toe.

This observation has MMA enthusiasts buzzing with theories. Some speculate an injury that could hinder him, leaving a small but worrying crack in his otherwise iron-clad armor. One fan even remembered his 2013 toe fracture against Chael Sonnen at UFC 159, where he walked away with his hands despite the gruesome injury.

While Jones has brushed off previous injuries and charged into fights with tenacity, the seemingly injured toe issue raises questions. Could Stipe Miocic capitalize on it and flip the script in the Octagon? Or will Jones brush it off, proving once again that even at less than 100%, he’s still one of the best in the game? November 16th will give us the answers. We may have a massive guest in the audience witnessing this incredible clash, invited to watch the UFC 309 card by a rising UFC star!

Bo Nickal invites Donald Trump to cheer him on at Madison Square Garden

In another twist, Bo Nickal is gearing up for his match at UFC 309 with more than just his opponent, Paul Craig, on his mind. Known for his elite wrestling background, Nickal has quickly risen through the ranks of the UFC, bringing a fan following that’s as loyal as it is loud. But it’s not just Nickal’s fights that get people talking—his outspoken support of Donald Trump has raised eyebrows across the MMA world.

Recently, on his Instagram account, Nickal stated “See you at msg @realdonaldtrump Pennsylvania we did it! 🇺🇸” Why the sudden invite? With Trump winning the 2024 race against Kamala Harris, he is poised to return to the Oval Office as the 47th President of the USA. 

The president-elect is also a fan of Nickal and mentioned the 6-0 fighter in his appearance on the JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) – “Bo Nickal, he’s a great fighter. When is he fighting again? Oh, that’s going to be interesting, after the election? So, I’ll either go as president, or I’ll be depressed and I won’t bother going.”

With the invitation sent and the election in the bag, fans may see Donald Trump cheer Bo Nickal on as he faces Paul Craig under the bright lights of the MSG Arena. But even as the excitement builds for UFC 309, rumors of a dark cloud hang over the co-main event!

Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira fight “not in jeopardy” claims Ariel Helwani  

Recently, fans nearly had a scare with rumors of the highly anticipated rematch between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler falling out. The pair last faced off in 2021, with ‘do Bronx’ emerging victorious by a second-round TKO to claim the lightweight title. Since then, both fighters have been on a collision course, leading them to face each other again at Madison Square Garden. However, just as the hype was peaking, whispers of a potential cancellation began surfacing.

Thankfully, veteran journalist Ariel Helwani was quick to put those rumors to rest. Speaking on an episode of ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, he stated, “Woke up to a couple of tweets saying that the fight was in jeopardy. Then [we] saw a tweet from Renato Moicano saying, like, you know, ‘put me in coach’. Then [we] saw a tweet from Charles Olivera with the thinking emoji, co-tweeting one of the tweets saying that the fight was in jeopardy. Then [we] saw a Dustin Poirier tweet saying, ‘I’m in’. Based on the conversations that I’ve had, the fight is not in jeopardy.”

He also revealed that while reaching out to Chandler’s team, they said they hadn’t heard anything about the fight being in trouble. Despite the social media frenzy, Helwani’s sources remained confident. So why the sudden wave of speculation? Is this just a case of smoke with no fire? Helwani speculated that when news like this spreads, there’s usually some truth to it. As of now, everything seems set for the showdown as Helwani further stated, “But as of right now, it does not seem – let me just check my phone here. It does not seem like it is in jeopardy.”

In conclusion, the fight between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira is still on – at least for now. Will ‘Iron’ finally get the redemption he’s been waiting for, or will ‘Do Bronx’ prove his dominance once again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!