Jon Jones was near-perfect at UFC 309 PPV this past weekend (November 16, 2024), when he made the maiden defense of his gold. He systematically broke down Stipe Miocic, ending it with a brutal spinning back kick. There was a moniker of doubt if the arguably best martial artist could do it against the arguably best heavyweight at the time. “Bones” not only broke his own, but some promotional gate records as well.
In the lead-up to the UFC 309 Pay-per-view (PPV) card, there were serious talks about his incumbent reign and long timeout. Yet, CEO Dana White kept repeatedly fussing about Jones not being No. 1 in the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings. Not only did he put an end to those “inactive” and ineffective talks, Jon Jones had a huge footfall for his return event.
Wow, I just found out the gate sales were higher than UFC 300.
Jon Jones wrote via X (@JonnyBones)
Top 6 biggest #UFC announced gates of all time:
2024: UFC 306 Sphere: $21,829,245
2016: UFC 205 MSG: $17.7M
2018: UFC 229 T-Mobile: $17,188,894.67
2024: UFC 309 MSG: $16,673,954
2024: UFC 300 T-Mobile: $16,508,823
2024: UFC 303 T-Mobile: $15,909,243
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) November 17, 2024
UFC 309 and his third-round TKO of Stipe Miocic made an announced gate of $16,673,954, and counting. “Bones” returned from a 20-month layoff to defend his title to do that! His opponent was on even a longer layoff. Miocic even had to constantly brush off claims of witholding the ebb of the heavyweight division. Jones proved that despite backlash, the MMA clique wants him. For clarification, it falls just a bit short from UFC’s biggest Annual Noche gamble – UFC 306 Pay-per-view (PPV).
Wow, I just found out the gate sales were higher than UFC 300. 🙌🏾
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 19, 2024
There are still doubts that this weekend delivered the the not-so-goods. There are still back-alley talk that Jones vs. Miocic did not need to be for the 265-pound gold. That too after such long layoffs. Specifically when those like interim champ Tom Aspinall stays on the ready. But Jones proved when pitted against legend, he is that much mroe legendary.
Jon Jones reacts to #2 pound-for-pound ranking following UFC 309 title win
The penultimate UFC pay-per-view of 2024 took place on Saturday with UFC 309 from Madison Square Garden in New York. It brought a close to the Jones vs. Miocic return saga. It also ended doubts on whether Jon Jones will retire after just a meager maiden defense.
Jon Jones is happy with his P4P ranking after UFC 309 (Source: X)Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) and his 16 victories in UFC championship fights will be hard to overtake. Per UFC record book, Jones’ 20-fight UFC unbeaten streak is the longest for a while. His disputed return event capped an initial announced attendance of 20,200 for a live gate of $16,673,954. That – is more than the historic UFC 300 PPV in April. UFC 300 had blockbuster names like Alex Pereira, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, and others.
Yet, Jones was put as No. 2 on the UFC pound-for-pound rankings following his successful title defense. He scales above Pererira but still below Islam Makhachev. White, who has long asked for an AI overhaul of rankings, went ballistic after it. But Jones had a very different take on his pound-for-pound placement.
Being ranked number 2 pound per pound at 37 years old, I’m happy with that. ☀️
Jon Jones via X (@JonnyBones)
Being ranked number 2 pound per pound at 37 years old, I’m happy with that. ☀️
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 19, 2024
It’s a stance that differs than White. But at this age, the fighter is just chasing G.O.A.T. legacy. To that end, No. 2 after 20-month layoff and retiring the best heavyweight isn’t all that bad. Jones took a three-year break from the sport in order to return as a heavyweight and win the title vacated by Francis Ngannou at the start of 2023. Now he’ll try to build on it further and further.
