Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic – UFC 309: MMA Heavyweight Championship Fight | Mixed Martial Arts News

Jon Jones cemented his position as arguably the greatest mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter of all time by pulling off a stunning knockout of Stipe Miocic to retain his heavyweight belt on UFC 309 fight night.

The 37-year-old American looked in complete control throughout the main event at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, preventing his opponent from exploiting his boxing skills and finishing with a brutal heel to the body that left Miocic on the canvas clutching his ribs.

“That body shot man, no matter how tough you are, the liver is the liver,” said a jubilant Jones in the cage after his victory.

In the aftermath, the 42-year-old former champion Miocic said he was retiring from the sport.

“I’m done,” Miocic said. “I’ll hang them up.”

Jones (28 wins, 1 loss, 1 no contest) considered the best fighter in the world, was the aggressor from the start, taking Miocic down with a superbly timed trip and catching him before raining down elbows as he dominated the rest of the fight . round.

Keen to not be taken down again, Miocic was hesitant as he tried to go the distance, but Jones was able to land punches to the body from his southpaw stance to keep Miocic on the back foot.

The Croatian-American Miocic had some success early in the third round, but again Jones was able to solve the puzzle, connecting with a few punches late in the round before his creative spinning kick ended the bout.

British heavyweight Tom Aspinall looms as the next challenger for Jones. Aspinall won a fight for the interim heavyweight title in November 2023.

UFC CEO Dana White had promised Aspinall, who chatted with Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, would challenge the winner of the main event in a unification bout.

Trump, Musk present

With Donald Trump in the audience, Jones mimicked the US president-elect’s campaign trail dance as he celebrated.

In the co-main event, Brazil’s Charles Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler by unanimous decision to put his name back in contention for a shot at the lightweight title he was stripped of due to lack of weight in May 2022.

Jones posed and played to the crowd at the top of the octagon in front of Trump, Elon Musk, chosen by Trump to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, and Robert Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services in his incoming administration.

Trump walked out to a rousing ovation in front of 20,200 fans just before the start of the pay-per-view card and appeared to bask in the excitement of the fighters who gave him props throughout the night — including Jones.

“I want to give a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump (for) being here tonight,” Jones said to a roaring ovation that bled into a “USA! USA!” song.

“I’m proud to be a great American champion,” Jones said.

Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler

In a lightweight bout that had every fan, from Kid Rock to Jordan Knight to Anthony Kiedis, going wild at the finish in the fifth round, Charles Oliveira beat Michael Chandler via unanimous decision.

The fight was a rematch of their fight in May 2021 when Charles Oliveira topped Chandler to win the lightweight title. Oliveira claimed another title fight with the win.

The fifth round was about as good as it gets inside the octagon, highlighted by Chandler dropping Oliveira twice on his back.

The 38-year-old Chandler stepped into the cage for the first time in two years, largely because he was waiting for a fight that never materialized with Conor McGregor.

“We’ve been wondering where you’ve been, Conor,” Chandler bellowed into the cage. “Come back and hit me if you can.”