UFC 309 weigh-ins: Aspinall steps on the scale as backup for Jones vs. Aspinall

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

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

Miocic is a former two-time heavyweight champion who holds the division’s record for most title defenses. The 42-year-old, who has not 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 prior to 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 in his victory over Cyril Gane at UFC 285 in early 2023 to win the vacant heavyweight title he has yet to defend. Saturday is the first time the 37-year-old fights in his home state of New York.

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

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

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

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

All but one fighter scheduled to compete at UFC 309 successfully pulled out 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 go lighter than 166.2 pounds. Luffy weighed 164.5.

Llontop vs. Ruffy was originally scheduled as a lightweight contest, but the organization announced midweek that it was being changed to a catchweight.

Veteran lightweight Jim Miller won for the 45th time in a row since debuting in the UFC in 2008. He faces Damon Jackson on the preliminary card.

The ceremonial weigh-in is scheduled to take place on Friday from 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Sportsnet+. Below are 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)

Main event alternate: Tom Aspinall (254.8)

*Fighter missed agreed catchweight