5 fighters who could hang up their gloves after UFC 309
UFC 309 takes place in Madison Square Garden this weekend. The event promises to be one of 2024's biggest.
Interestingly, UFC 309 is filled with a number of ageing veterans, many of whom could be coming towards the end of their careers. So could we see some fighters step away for good following this weekend's event? In some cases, it definitely feels possible.
Here are five fighters who could hang up their gloves after UFC 309.
#5. Jon Jones - UFC heavyweight champion
Jon Jones is undoubtedly UFC 309's biggest attraction. Widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, 'Bones' is set to defend his heavyweight title against former champ Stipe Miocic in their long-awaited 'legacy fight' this weekend.
Most of the talk coming into the event, though, has centered around whether Jones will fight current interim champ Tom Aspinall should he get past Miocic.
While many fans are clamoring for the bout, Jones himself has seemed less keen. Instead, he's talked up a possible clash with current light-heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, suggesting the two fight for a 'BMF' title.
However, is there a chance that UFC 309 could instead mark the final fight of Jones' storied career? Absolutely.
'Bones' has not been shy about discussing retirement before. Recently too, one of his training partners, jiu-jitsu ace Gordon Ryan, also hinted at this bout being his last in an Instagram post.
Given that Jones is already one of the most accomplished fighters of all time, he has nothing to prove, even if he doesn't fight Aspinall or Pereira. Instead, he may feel like a win over Miocic is enough and step away after this weekend.
#4. Paul Craig - UFC middleweight contender
One fighter whose recent bad form seems to be flying under the radar coming into UFC 309 is Paul Craig.
'Bearjew' will head into Madison Square Garden as the biggest underdog of the night when he faces Bo Nickal. Part of that betting line has to do with Nickal's huge potential, but it's probably also partially due to Craig's record of four losses in his last five bouts.
So could Craig retire if he suffers another finish at the hands of Nickal this weekend? It wouldn't be surprising.
Firstly, 'Bearjew' is set to turn 37 years old later this month. Given that in 2022, he spoke openly about a plan to retire once he turned 35, it could be argued that he's two years overdue.
Secondly, the Scotsman has taken plenty of damage over the years, with his recent knockout loss to Caio Borralho being a concerning one in particular.
Given that a loss to Nickal may well signal the end of his tenure in the UFC, it might make sense for him to step away from MMA altogether after this weekend.
#3. Jim Miller - UFC lightweight contender
One promotional record is guaranteed to be broken at UFC 309 this weekend, as Jim Miller will compete in the octagon for the 45th time, extending his record further from his peers.
If Miller can beat opponent Damon Jackson in their lightweight tilt, he'll also extend his record for the most wins in UFC history, and if he can stop him, the most finishes too.
Would this be the perfect time for him to walk away, then? There would definitely be an argument to suggest that it would be.
Earlier this year, Miller suggested that he wanted to hit the 50-fight mark before retiring. However, that would probably mean him continuing to fight for another two, maybe three years at least.
Based on his loss to 'King' Green this April, though, that might not be such a good idea. Miller looked firmly past his best in the bout, and at the age of 41, it's likely that it'll only be downhill from here.
Given that this weekend's event is in New York - almost home turf for the New Jersey native - it could be suggested that if he wins against Jackson, this might be the right time for this storied veteran to finally hang up his gloves.
#2. Chris Weidman - former UFC middleweight champion
While he isn't the oldest fighter on this weekend's card, it's arguable that the fighter who has had more calls for retirement than anyone else is Chris Weidman.
The former middleweight champion has fallen on hard times ever since he lost his title to Luke Rockhold in 2015. While he came into that bout unbeaten at 13-0, he's since won just three times and fallen to a total of seven defeats.
More worryingly, 'The All-American' has been knocked out on five occasions, and suffered the kind of injury that could've ended his career when he snapped his leg in his 2021 bout with Uriah Hall.
Weidman did return from that injury, which was admirable in itself, but whether he really ought to continue fighting into 2025 at the age of 40 is very debatable.
Therefore, it might be a better idea that 'The All-American' retire in his home state of New York this weekend, particularly if he can find a way of defeating opponent Eryk Anders.
If he can't, meanwhile, it'd be a surefire sign that enough is enough. Weidman will go down as an all-time great of the octagon, but to continue on past this point, especially if he's knocked out, would be reckless to say the least.
#1. Stipe Miocic - former UFC heavyweight champion
The fighter who is most likely to retire at UFC 309 is probably former heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic.
The most decorated heavyweight in octagon history, Miocic is set to challenge Jon Jones for the title he once held in the headline bout. Realistically, it feels like a fight he is unlikely to win.
In his prime, Miocic's heavy hands and underrated wrestling probably would've given him a good shot at defeating 'Bones'. However, it's now been well over three years since he last fought, and at the age of 42, the chances of him recapturing his old form seem somewhere between slim and none.
Even if he were to shock the world and dethrone Jones, it'd be hard to imagine him wanting to come back once again next year to face off with a younger, hungrier interim champion in Tom Aspinall.
Therefore, win, lose or draw, it feels highly likely that we'll see the last of Miocic this weekend.
It's more probable that the next time we see him on UFC programming, in fact, he'll be inducted into the promotion's Hall of Fame.