Jones, 37, submitted Ciryl Gane in the first round of his most recent UFC appearance in March 2023 to capture the vacant UFC heavyweight title in his divisional debut. Prior to that, Jones was a longtime UFC light heavyweight champion who held the belt under multiple reigns.

UFC 309 and the main event between heavyweight champion Jon Jones and two-time former champ Stipe Miocic has lived in the shadow of Friday's boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. On Saturday, the UFC takes the spotlight in the promotion's return to New York City's Madison Square Garden.