Now that the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight is in the books, leaving many fans crestfallen who had hoped the 58-year-old Tyson could challenge the odds and stand his ground against the youthful vigor of Paul, the attention of bettors and fight enthusiasts has shifted to tonight’s captivating UFC 309 card in New York.
Jake Paul dominated the fight by decision in an eight-round event broadcast live on Netflix. Despite the immense betting interest, boxing’s reputation took another hit as Paul admitted afterward that he didn’t want to harm the elder Tyson.
The spotlight tonight is on 37-year-old Jon Jones as he defends his heavyweight title against 42-year-old Stipe Miocic. Jones last fought in March 2023, securing a submission win against Ciryl Gane. The UFC heavyweight division has seen only two title fights in the past four years, highlighting a need for more marquee names and significant bouts to revive this storied weight class.
The anticipation among fight fans is electric. Jones, a fighter with immense talent yet marred by numerous out-of-Octagon issues including arrests and suspensions, remains one of UFC’s biggest draws. David Merry, a trader with BetVictor, notes substantial action on Jones versus Miocic, with Jones by Submission (+200) being a particularly popular side market. Additionally, bets swarm around the bout between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler, with Chandler (+200) attracting a significant amount of interest.
A PointsBet Canada trader reports that 73% of bets and 76% of the money are on Miocic, underscoring the high stakes. Both fighters present considerable liabilities if they win by KO.
BetMGM echoes the enthusiasm, with heavy betting on Jones (-650) versus Miocic (+450), Chandler (+210) versus Oliveira (-275), and Bo Nickal (-1400) against Paul Craig (+800). Popular props include Miocic by KO/TKO or DQ (+700), Jones by KO/TKO or DQ (+100), and Jones by Submission (+200).
The return of Jon Jones to the cage raises compelling questions about his future. Should he defeat Miocic, could retirement be on his horizon? He has hinted at potential super fights, expressing interest in a lucrative bout with light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira or a showdown with UFC interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall, the latter advocated by UFC CEO Dana White.
This week, Jones mused about post-victory plans, contemplating a shift to taking on only super fights. “After this fight, if we get a dominant performance, I’m prepared to vacate the heavyweight championship and fight for fun,” he remarked. Imagining a career unburdened by title defenses, Jones expressed a desire for “random fights” against handpicked opponents, oscillating between light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.
White, however, insists that Jones must face Aspinall if he defeats Miocic, emphasizing the obligation Jones owes to emerging fighters. Speaking to Pat McAfee, White pointed out Jones’ duty to the sport: “Opportunities were given to Jon Jones when he was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time. Now as he sits where he sits, it’s his obligation to give it to the younger guy, to give him that opportunity, and if he beats Tom Aspinall then yes, I would do the Alex Pereira fight.”
In the buzzing dialogue around UFC 309, the intrigue of Jones’ next steps and the potential reverberations across weight divisions are palpable, keeping fight fans on the edge of their seats.
