Major heavyweight stretch begins in New York City

It's the most coveted moniker in prizefighting, and when two Hall of Fame inductee fighters collide with that belt on the line, an aura surrounding the fight is inevitable. And while absence sometimes makes the heart grow fonder, it can also cause the heart to grow impatient, and both feelings are part of the dynamic when the title fight between champion Jon Jones and former two-time champion Stipe Miocic finally comes to a close at UFC 309 in New York City. The fight comes a year after the original booking, which was postponed when Jones suffered a chest injury. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall has won and defended the interim title, and some are boasting that he is the “true” undisputed champion.

Order UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic

However, this notion ignores the reality that a fight between Jones and Miocic pits arguably the greatest against the greatest heavyweight champion in UFC history. It's a fight that just has to happen. It's a legacy fight for both men, a final bow that could end both careers in exuberant glory.

Fittingly, the fight takes place in the most famous arena in the world, Madison Square Garden. Part of the excitement surrounding the fight is the potential for what comes after. There are rumors that one or both men would retire after the fight, opening up endless possibilities for the heavyweight elite if they choose not to unify the title against Aspinall.