On November 16, the wait for Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic’s fight will finally end as the two heavyweight titans step into the Octagon at Madison Square Garden. Originally scheduled to clash at UFC 295 last year, ‘Bones’ suffered a torn pectoral tendon that led to the fans having to wait agonizingly for this matchup to take place. Now, with ‘Bones’ fully recovered and Miocic ready to make his return, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown at UFC 309!

In the buildup to this battle, Jones made his intentions crystal clear during the UFC countdown as he stated, “I’m going to kick some a—- and show the world how great I am”. The Ohio native and former 2-time heavyweight champion’s response? Miocic didn’t hold back as he fired off by stating, “Bring it on b—-.”

The words themselves are simple, but behind them lies a promise of an explosive contest that could be a career-defining moment for both men. The fight will be ‘Bones’s first defense of his undisputed heavyweight title that he claimed by dismantling Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Meanwhile, Miocic is returning to action after losing his crown to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in 2021.

With Jones chasing glory and Miocic standing as a roadblock, the MMA Sphere is hooked. After all, how often do we get two legends facing off in a fight that could be their last? Fans have quickly taken sides, fueling a fierce debate that’s almost as fiery as the fight itself promises to be! Here’s a look at what the netizens had to say.

Fans pick sides as Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic fire off the first salvos ahead of UFC 309

The battle lines have been drawn with one fan claiming Jon Jones is poised for an “easy” win against Miocic. However, things aren’t as simple. Why? In a recent conversation with ‘New York Post Sports’ Jones confessed, “And I’m sure he has to be nervous. I have some nerves too, you know; it just means that we care.” With Jones not taking Miocic lightly, it’s a testament to his preparation and self-awareness that he can admit to being “nervous” at this stage in his career.

“Jones will win easy.”

The fact that this might be the last Octagon appearance for both legends didn’t escape the fan’s notice either. While Jones had claimed previously that UFC 309 may be the final chapter in his storied career, he recently told the New York Post, “I have this feeling that it could be the last one, but I’m also open for it not being the last one.” As for Miocic, he recently shared with MMA Fighting when asked about the prospect of retirement, “I love what I do and it’s fun. So we’ll see but right now my task at hand is Jon. That’s all I care about. That’s what I’m thinking about.”

“2 of the greatest we’ve ever seen. In maybe both of their final fights. Such a legendary fight. Can’t wait.”

But Miocic has his own army of believers. Some fans are betting on the upset, envisioning the possibility of Miocic knocking Jones out cold—a stunning twist that definitely would shake the MMA world to its core. Do you think there’s a chance that  Stipe Miocic will hand ‘Bones’ the first real loss in his MMA career?

“How funny would it be if Stipe knocked Jones out cold after Jones chose him for a easy retirement win”

However, Jon Jones fans aren’t on board with the idea. Their claim? Jones’s physique makes him a tough fight for Miocic. In a recent training update shared on Instagram, ‘Bones’ showed off his heavyweight physique with the caption, “240 pounds, fast and strong. I used to walk around at 235lbs as a light heavyweight. This almost feels like a light heavyweight fight without the weight cut.” Could this be the edge that propels him to a win against the former 2-time heavyweight champion?

“Jon is 236 lbs of solid steel. Stipe is gonna get wrecked.”

And then, there are those who are willing to put their money behind their support for Stipe Miocic. According to odds from BetOnline (subject to change), Jones is the -700 favorite, and Miocic is the underdog at +500 for this fight!

“I’ll put some money on stipe”

In conclusion, as November 16 draws closer, the buzz around UFC 309 has reached a fever pitch. The stakes couldn’t be higher—two legends, both with an aura of finality, standing at the crossroads of their careers. Jones may be the odds-on favorite, but with Miocic’s loyal supporters placing bets on a potential upset, it’s clear this isn’t just any fight. Will Jon Jones make good on his promise to show the world how great he is? Or will Stipe Miocic stun us all, proving he’s still the king of the heavyweights? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!