It’s Bones and All at UFC 309 as Jon Jones Makes Triumphant Return

Though former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, pound-for-pound one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, hasn’t fought in a year-and-a-half, he has remained at the forefront of the division’s conversation all along.

That’s just what happens when you are a legend of the sport, 27-1-1 in 29 fights in the UFC, and, away from the cage, never far from controversy. It’s the former details, however, that gives reason for tremendous excitement ahead of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.

As Jones has proven, even a long stay away from the octagon won’t prevent him from being the same old dominant Bones Jones. His last appearance, at UFC 285, came after a period of over three years away -- and didn’t last long, as the legend dispatched Ciryl Gane in the first round.

A long-awaited return is the theme of the night, with Stipe Miocic set to step into the octagon for the first time since he was knocked out and lost the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 in March 2021.

Ahead of Saturday’s main event, UFC odds appear to anticipate a similar result in Jones’ latest return. At BET99, Jones is a sizable -700 outright favourite, with another former champ of the division in Miocic coming back as a heavy underdog at +450.

With Miocic also returning from a hiatus, UFC oddsmakers are anticipating a quick finish. Though Jones-Miocic is scheduled for five rounds, the total rounds line is set at 1.5, close to even money. The odds favour Over 1.5 rounds (-170), but the Under at +130 has an implied probability of 44%. Meanwhile, Jones is favoured to win by KO with odds of +120

Love him or hate him, Jones’ return at UFC 309 will be a must-watch fight. And, as the odds on BET99 suggest, it might be over quickly.

Click here to see UFC odds at BET99.

*Odds of November 13, 2024