Tom Aspinall was the first fighter to step on the scale Friday morning at the official UFC 309 weigh-ins, even though the current interim heavyweight champion is not scheduled to compete in the anticipated Madison Square Garden event headlined by Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.

Aspinall is in town to serve as the official backup fighter for Saturday’s main event and was in New York during fight week, but he ultimately won’t be needed on fight night after both Jones, the defending heavyweight champion, and Miocic both made weight with ease to make their heavyweight title match official.

Miocic is a former two-time heavyweight champion who holds the division record for most title defenses. The 42-year-old, who hasn’t fought in 3.5 years, weighed in at 248.6 pounds, the heaviest he has been before a fight since his first title run. Miocic was 246 pounds ahead of his first fight with Francis Ngannou and his rematch with Junior Dos Santos, both of which he won.

Jones weighed 237.6 pounds, about 10 pounds lighter than he was during his win over Cyril Gane at UFC 285 in early 2023, winning the vacant heavyweight title he has yet to defend. The 37-year-old will fight for the first time on Saturday in his home state of New York.

Jones has been criticized for insisting on fighting Miocic instead of Aspinall and downplaying the interim champion’s recent performances.

Aspinall said Friday on the UFC’s Morning Weigh-in Show that he was not allowed to attend Thursday’s press conference, where the crowd erupted when Aspinall was mentioned and Dana White suggested the winner of Jones vs. Miocic should “absolutely” fight Aspinall next.

“Honestly, do I think he’s avoiding me? Absolutely,” Aspinall said Friday morning.

Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler both fell under the lightweight limit ahead of their five-round co-main event rematch.

All but one of the fighters scheduled to compete at UFC 309 successfully arrived on Friday.

James Llontop was 1.2 pounds over the limit for his 165-pound catchweight bout with rising star Mauricio Ruffy. Llontop was the last fighter to step on the scale and couldn’t get lighter than 166.2 pounds. Ruffy weighed 164.5.

Llontop vs. Ruffy was originally scheduled as a lightweight bout, but the promotion announced midweek that it had been changed to a catchweight.

Veteran lightweight Jim Miller has made his 45th consecutive success since his debut in the UFC in 2008. He faces Damon Jackson on the preliminary card.

The ceremonial weigh-ins will take place on Friday starting at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT on Sportsnet+. Below you will find the official results.

— Jon Jones (237.6) vs. Stipe Miocic (248.6)

— Charles Oliveira (155.6) vs. Michael Chandler (155.6)

— Bo Nickal (185.4) vs. Paul Craig (186)

— Viviane Araújo (125.6) vs. Karine Silva (125.8)

— Mauricio Ruffy (164.5) vs. James Llontop (166.2)*

— Jonathan Martinez (135.8) vs. Marcus McGhee (135.6)

— Chris Weidman (186) vs. Eryk Anders (185.6)

— Jim Miller (155.6) vs. Damon Jackson (155.2)

— David Onama (155.6) vs. Roberto Romero (155)

— Marcin Tybura (251) vs. Jhonata Diniz (253.2)

— Mickey Gall (170.8) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (170.2)

— Bassil Hafez (171) vs. Oban Elliot (170)

— Veronica Hardy (125.8) vs. Eduarda Moura (125.2)

Alternate Main Event: Tom Aspinall (254.8)

*Fighter missed the agreed catchweight