Jones to defend title against Miocic in November

Jon Jones will defend his heavyweight title against former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in New York on 16 November.

The American pair were due to fight last November but the fight was cancelled after 37-year-old Jones suffered a pectoral injury in the build-up.

Meanwhile, Michael Chandler will face Brazil's Charles Oliveira in the co-main event.

American Chandler was set to face Conor McGregor in June, but the fight was called off after the Irishman suffered a toe injury.

Chandler, 38, said in a post on Instagram, external he did not want to wait any longer for McGregor's return but is open to facing him once he "gets his house in order".

Former double champion McGregor, 36, has not fought since breaking his leg in a defeat by Dustin Poirier in 2021.

The fights were confirmed by the UFC during its broadcast of UFC Noche in Las Vegas.

Following the cancellation of Jones and 42-year-old Miocic's fight last November, Britain's Tom Aspinall stepped in on short notice to knock out Russia's Serghei Pavlovich to win the interim heavyweight belt.

Aspinall, 31, has repeatedly called for a unification fight with Jones, but the 37-year-old and the UFC have remained intent on rescheduling the bout with former two-time champion Miocic.

In July, UFC president Dana White confirmed Aspinall would face the winner of Jones and Miocic, but there is speculation the pair could retire following their fight at Madison Square Garden.