Jon Jones will defend his UFC heavyweight championship against former titleholder Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, taking place on November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

UFC president Dana White announced the details in an interview with Complex on Saturday.

“Jon Jones is going to fight (Stipe Miocic) in November at Madison Square Garden,” White said. “And if he wins or Stipe wins, we’ll see what happens.”

The bout between the most decorated light heavyweight and heavyweight fighters was originally scheduled to take place during the UFC’s annual trip to New York in 2023. However, Jones tore his pectoral muscle and required surgery, forcing him to withdraw from the bout and embarking on a lengthy rehabilitation program.

Now that he has fully recovered, Jones will fight for the first time in 20 months against Miocic, a former two-time champion who is widely regarded as the best heavyweight in UFC history with a record four heavyweight title defenses.

But Jones’ time off is nothing compared to Miocic’s, who hasn’t fought since being stopped by Francis Ngannou in March 2021. Miocic, 42, hasn’t won a fight since successfully defending his belt against Daniel Cormier in August 2020.

Still, Jones, 37, is steadfast in his desire to face Miocic (20-4), despite Tom Aspinall being the current interim heavyweight champion.

With so much time away from the sport, there are questions about Miocic’s future regardless of the outcome. White said he believes Miocic will call it a day, win or lose.

“Do I think Stipe is going to retire? Yeah, I think so,” White said. “I think so, but you never know.”

Jones (27-1, 1 NC) won the heavyweight title after defeating Ciryl Gane by first-round submission in March 2023 in his heavyweight debut. Prior to winning the belt, he dominated the light heavyweight division, making a record 11 successful title defenses.

Jones is also nearing the end of his fighting career. However, White said he believes Jones will accept a unification fight with Aspinall if he beats Miocic.

A fight between Jones and Aspinall is one of the biggest you can have in the UFC. Aspinall is 8-1 in the UFC, with all eight of his wins coming by knockout or submission and none of his fights lasting longer than 6½ minutes. His only loss came when he injured his knee just seconds into his fight with Curtis Blaydes. The two met again in July, with Aspinall stopping Blaydes in just 60 seconds.

Aspinall has challenged Jones to a fight, with Jones scoffing at the idea of ​​facing him. But White said he believes Jones will be up for the challenge.

White said: “I’m sure if Jon Jones wins this fight, and with all the talk going on about it, there’s no doubt in my mind that he won’t fight Aspinall.”