In the third round of their bout at UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones stopped Stipe Miocic with a spectacular spinning kick, retaining his UFC heavyweight title.
For Miocic, it was his first time in the octagon since 2021, and Jones hadn’t competed since taking home the belt in his heavyweight debut in March of last year.
In the first two rounds, there wasn’t much separating the two seasoned combatants until the last seconds of the third, when Jones delivered a strong spinning kick that struck Miocic in the midriff, prompting him to collapse over in agony.
Jones celebrated keeping his championship and his status as possibly the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all time when the referee waived the bout off.
There had been much discussion about Jones’s post-fight plans, including retirement, a unification bout against interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (who was in New York), and a highly anticipated light heavyweight matchup with Alex Pereira.
Additionally, the 37-year-old downplayed the prospect of retiring in the octagon thereafter.
We have some negotiating to do, and if all goes well, we might give you guys everything you want to see, Jones told Joe Rogan. I decided that maybe I will not retire and that I have some conversations to have with (UFC president) Dana (White) and (UFC chief business officer) Hunter (Campbell).
Jones responded, I know that we have options and so I’m just going to see what Uncle Dana wants and what Uncle Hunter wants and you guys will hear about it soon, I’m sure, when asked just what fight he would like to have next.
Shortly after the defeat, Miocic announced his retirement at the age of 42, making it the last bout of his illustrious UFC career.
I lost, and it was awful. I was aware that he was among the greatest of all time. arrived with vigour. I felt good. The former two-time heavyweight champion claimed, He caught me in the ribs while I was blocking.
I’m finished. I’m going to hang them up. I’m grateful to be retiring.
Following the event, Jones lavished Miocic with praise.
Jones clarified, It’s like fighting the Terminator. It’s really discouraging to strike someone who isn’t responding. However, regardless of your level of toughness, the liver is the liver after that body shot.
Jones also specifically mentioned US President-elect Donald Trump, who was seated ringside with White and Elon Musk, during his post-event remarks in the octagon. Kid Rock, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and House Speaker Mike Johnson also joined him.
Trump has been friends with White for a long time. Days after Trump escaped an assassination attempt, he addressed at the Republican National Convention in 2016 and again this year in Milwaukee.
White backed Trump as his campaign aimed to increase the proportion of Black and Latino males in the Republican Party, which has historically been low, and to appeal to young men who generally sporadic voters.
The crowd erupted in applause when Trump was seen making his way to his seat, while Jones imitated his now-famous victory dance.
Jones shook hands and allowed Trump to hold the title belt as he headed to celebrate with Trump after receiving it.
