UFC 309 weigh-ins: Aspinall steps on 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 even though the current interim heavyweight champion isn’t 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 present in New York during fight week, however, he ultimately won’t be needed on fight night after both Jones, who’s the defending heavyweight champion, and Miocic both made weight with ease to render their heavyweight title matchup official.

Miocic is a former two-time heavyweight champion who holds the division’s record for most title defences. 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 initial 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, roughly 10 pounds lighter than he was in his win over Cyril Gane at UFC 285 in early 2023 to win the vacant heavyweight title he has yet to defend. Saturday will be the 37-year-old’s first time fighting in his home state of New York.

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

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

“In all honesty, 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 made weight 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 contest but the organization announced mid-week it was changed to a catchweight.

Veteran lightweight Jim Miller successfully made weight for the 45th consecutive time since debuting in the UFC in 2008. He faces Damon Jackson on the preliminary card.

The ceremonial weigh-ins are scheduled to take place Friday beginning at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Sportsnet+. Below are the official results.

MAIN CARD

-- 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)*

Preliminary card

-- 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 upon catchweight