Jon Jones retains UFC heavyweight title with spinning kick to stop Stipe Miocic, celebrates with President-elect Donald Trump

CNN
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Jon Jones retained his UFC heavyweight title with an impressive spinning kick to stop Stipe Miocic in the third round of their fight at UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Jones had not fought since winning the title in his heavyweight debut last March, while for Miocic it was his first time in the octagon since 2021.

And there was little to separate the two veteran fighters in the first two rounds until the final seconds of the third when Jones produced a powerful spinning kick that hit Miocic in his diaphragm, causing him to double over in pain.

The referee waved the fight off and Jones celebrated retaining his title and his place as arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.

There had been plenty of talk about what Jones would do after this fight, should he win, with retirement, a unification bout against interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall – the British fighter was in attendance in New York – and a blockbuster light heavyweight showdown with Alex Pereira all possibilities.

And in the octagon afterwards, the 37-year-old played down the possibility of retirement.

“I decided that maybe I don’t want to retire and I’m going to have some conversations with (UFC President) Dana (White) and (UFC Chief Business Officer) Hunter (Campbell) and we have some negotiations to do, and if everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you everything you want to see,” Jones told Joe Rogan.

When asked specifically what fight he would like to have next, Jones said, “I know we have options and so I just want to see what Uncle Dana wants and what Uncle Hunter wants and you guys hear about it soon. sure.”

For Miocic, it was the last fight of his storied UFC career as he announced his retirement at the age of 42 shortly after the loss.

“It was boring that I lost. I knew he was one of the best ever. Came strong. I felt good. I blocked and he caught me in the ribs,” said the former two-time heavyweight champion.

“I’m done. I’m hanging them up. I’m retiring, thank God.”

Jones was effusive in his praise of Miocic afterward.

“It’s like fighting the Terminator,” Jones explained. “Very, very disheartening to hit somebody who doesn’t react to it. But that body shot, no matter how tough you are, the liver is the liver.”

Speaking in the octagon afterwards, Jones also made special mention of US President Donald Trump, who sat next to White and Elon Musk. He was also joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kid Rock.

White is a longtime friend of Trump. He spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention and did so again this year in Milwaukee, days after Trump survived an assassination attempt.

White’s support for Trump came as his campaign sought to appeal to young men who are irregular voters and, in particular, to improve Republicans’ traditionally low share of black and Latino men.

Trump received loud cheers from the crowd as he was shown walking to his seat, with Jones mimicking his now-famous dance after his victory.

After receiving his title belt, Jones went to celebrate with Trump, shaking hands and letting Trump hold the belt.