Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) reacts to beating Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Jones’ withdrawal from a UFC 295 matchup with Miocic last November set the ...

Jones (27-1, 1 NC) will make the first defense of his heavyweight title on Saturday at New York's Madison Square Garden when he headlines UFC 309 against former champion Stipe Miocic (20-4), who is widely considered the most accomplished heavyweight in promotional history.

Notably not part of the headliner is Aspinall, the reigning interim heavyweight champion that has frequently called for Jones to meet him in a unification bout. Jones and Miocic were originally scheduled to fight 12 months ago,