Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic clash at UFC 309 in heavyweight title fight – live

Oliveira motions like he wants to share a prayer with Chandler, who is having none of it. He doesn’t have a second to waste here.

Oliveira shoots for a takedown from range, but he’s denied. Right hook by Chandler, then a left, and a massive right hand!! Oliveira stumbles back!!

But Chandler misses with a left hook, swings himself off balance, and a grappling change ensues! What is happening?!

Chandler is in control, landing tons of hammer fists! WOW! Is Chandler about to steal a comeback win?!

Oliveira manages to hold on, keeping Chandler close, denying the American room to strike!

Chandler needs a finish in the next two rounds, or a big enough moment for a 10-8 round – and the latter would only get him a draw, anyway.

Jumping knee from Oliveira, but Chandler comes back with a trio of hard punches! Oliveira grabs a body lock and tries a trip… and eventually gets it.

Oliveira has the back and is trying a rear naked choke again. He’s also keeping his options open, though, isolating one of Chandler’s arms – with an armbar or arm-triangle on the cards…

Oliveira gets very close on the rear naked choke, but Chandler defends so well! Thirty seconds left in this frame…

Again, Chandler survives to the buzzer. But he’s four rounds down, and he needs a stoppage to win this.

It feels as though Oliveira is closing in on victory, but as mentioned earlier, Chandler is a wildcard…

He marches forward and bounces in front of Oliveira. Oliveira reverses the pressure, though, and shoots for a takedown. Good sprawl by Chandler, but he’s constantly having to move left and right against the cage, in a panic.

Oliveira is unloading shots now, and he’s so accurate. Stern jab by Chandler, though, then a cross. Uppercut by Oliveira, and a jumping knee.

Cross by Chandler. Left hook, too. Another knee by Oliveira, then an elbow and an uppercut. He gets another takedown! He immediately gets the back, too, and works on a rear naked choke…

Chandler defends fairly well, but Oliveira mixes it up with some hard elbows and body punches. Ninety seconds left in the round.

Oliveira has a face crank, but Chandler fights free… He makes it to the buzzer! But he must have that sinking feeling…

Their first fight ended about 15 seconds into round two. They’ve just crossed that point. Nice jab by Chandler, then a cross to the body.

Now Oliveira steps forward and lands a punch, and Chandler scrambles away, tripping in the process! Oliveira with another big right hand, and Chandler looks buzzed, trapped by the fence! He tries to laugh it off, but…

Oliveira is stalking forward. Chandler partially lands an uppercut, but it doesn’t deter Oliveira. Great knee by Oliveira. Chandler eats it well, and now he’s the one moving forward!

Another trip by Oliveira, and he lands in mount, wow! He’s got Chandler by the fence. Nasty elbows by Oliveira. Chandler is intermittently trying to bridge and create space – but to no avail.

More slashing elbows, and Chandler’s forehead has opened up. Chandler makes it to the buzzer, but he’s two rounds down now – and sporting some damage.

Both men stand orthodox. They skip to the middle of the ring. Chandler blocks a front kick. Another one misses for Oliveira. The Brazilian is a fan favourite, but the MSG crowd is chanting “USA!”

Oliveira keeps touching his left eye. Was he poked? Is there something in it? Now he seems okay… He lands a front kick at last. And another.

A replay suggests Oliveira was accidentally poked in the eye. Chandler fights behind his jab for now. He lands a cross to the body. Single-leg by Oliveira, driving Chandler to the fence, and a great trip!

Oliveira is working on a leg lock… He’s sat on Chandler, holding a leg with his right arm, and threatening hammer fists with his left.

The position changes somewhat, with Oliveira now in a version of half-guard. He’s throwing body shots from above. He’s shimmying, too, trying to free his leg to reach mount.

One minute left in round one. Oliveira seems content to just hold Chandler and wear down on him. Chandler is throwing punches from below.

Oliveira has the most finishes (and submissions) in UFC history. Chandler always produces thrilling, chaotic fights.

Surely this one doesn’t go all five rounds…

Let’s find out. Here, we, go!

Onto the co-main event, as Michael Chandler – who finally gave up on fighting Conor McGregor after nearly two years of waiting – aims to avenge a loss to Charles Oliveira.

Their first fight, in May 2021, was fantastic, with Chandler so close to winning, only to lose by TKO.

With that, Oliveira won the vacant lightweight title.

Five rounds scheduled here.

Massive overhand right from Nickal, but the same trend continues: Craig eats it well.

There’s a period of inactivity, and Craig taunts Nickal. Meanwhile, the crowd boos.

Hard low kick by Nickal. Another overhand left, and Craig felt this one more than the others! He backs up to the fence, eyes wide, but Nickal isn’t throwing any follow-ups!

Nickal allowed Craig to recover there, and the Scot comes forward now. He is cut, though, around his right eye.

The crowd, which was chanting for Nickal before, is now saying: “O-ver-rat-ed.” Craig addresses the sound, making sure Nickal is listening.

Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Boos for Nickal, who stays unbeaten!

Between rounds, Craig tells his corner: “I’m just having so much fun.”

Nice jab by Nickal from an orthodox stance. Low kick by Craig, who is apparently talking to his opponent. Once again, Craig is just out of range of that southpaw overhand from Nickal.

Lots of kicks by Craig. Nickal is getting closer with that big left. Craig is trying to counter with left hooks. Nickal invests in the body.

Nickal lands the overhand clean, but from the right. Craig absorbs it well, to be honest. Clean left cross to the body of Craig.

More kicks from Craig, who checks a low effort from Nickal. Now the American connects with a southpaw cross; it’s clean, but Craig seems unfazed.

Another left snaps back Craig’s head, but still the Scot is undeterred. Craig keeps hammering kicks at the arms of Nickal.

Both men stand orthodox. Nickal takes the centre of the ring. Now he switches stances. Craig hops about, looking to stay light on his feet.

Hard outside low kick by Nickal. He just about lands a big overhand left from southpaw… Craig moved back just enough to lessen the impact.

Nickal continues to change stances. He keeps throwing bombs, too, but he’s stumbled by a low kick. Again Craig lands a leg kick, but he’s tagged upstairs at the same time.

Craig checks an inside low kick and says something to Nickal, who then blocks a head kick – and another. “Bo” is the chant in MSG.

Stabbing side kick from Nickal, who follows up with a single-leg attempt, but he quickly lets go. A couple more hard left overhands land for Nickal, but Craig is taking them well… so far.

Right hand gets through for Craig, and Nickal circles away. Elbow from Craig. Nickal with more grazing overhands. Interesting round. 15-15 in significant strikes.