Jon Jones has cemented his place as arguably the best blended martial arts (MMA) fighter of all time by pulling off a surprising knockout of Stipe Miocic to retain his heavyweight belt on the UFC 309 battle night time.
The 37-year-old American seemed totally in management all through the principle occasion at Madison Sq. Backyard on Saturday, stopping his opponent from leveraging his boxing abilities and ending with a brutal heel to the physique that left Miocic on the canvas clutching his ribs.
“That physique shot man, regardless of how robust you might be, the liver’s the liver,” a jubilant Jones mentioned within the cage following his victory.
Within the aftermath, 42-year-old former champion Miocic mentioned he was retiring from the game.
“I’m executed,” Miocic mentioned. “I’m hanging ’em up.”
Broadly thought of one of the best fighter on the planet, Jones (28 wins, 1 loss, 1 no contest) was the aggressor from the beginning and took Miocic down with a perfectly timed journey and trapped him earlier than raining down elbows as he dominated the remainder of the spherical.
Eager to not get taken down once more, Miocic was hesitant as he tried to handle the space, however Jones was in a position to measure strikes to the physique from his southpaw stance to maintain Miocic on the again foot.
Croatian-American Miocic loved some success early within the third spherical, however as soon as once more Jones was in a position to work out the puzzle, connecting with a few punches late within the spherical earlier than his artistic rotating kick ended the bout.
British heavyweight Tom Aspinall looms as the following challenger for Jones. Aspinall gained a battle for the interim heavyweight title in November 2023.
UFC CEO Dana White had promised Aspinall, who chatted with Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, would problem the winner of the principle occasion in a unification bout.
Trump, Musk in attendance
With Donald Trump within the viewers, Jones imitated america president-elect’s marketing campaign path dance as he celebrated.
Within the co-main occasion, Brazil’s Charles Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler by unanimous determination to place his title again in rivalry for a crack on the light-weight title he was stripped of for lacking weight in Could 2022.
Jones posed and performed to the gang on high of the octagon in entrance of Trump, Elon Musk, picked by Trump to guide a brand new Division of Authorities Effectivity, and Robert Kennedy Jr, Trump’s selection to guide the Division of Well being and Human Providers in his incoming administration.
Trump walked out to a rousing ovation in entrance of 20,200 followers simply earlier than the beginning of the pay-per-view card and appeared to bask within the thrill of the fighters that all through the night time gave him props — together with Jones.
“I need to give a giant, massive thanks to President Donald Trump [for] being right here tonight,” Jones mentioned to a roaring ovation that bled right into a “USA! USA!” chant.
“I’m proud to be an amazing American champion,” Jones mentioned.
Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler
In a light-weight bout that made each fan, from Child Rock to Jordan Knight to Anthony Kiedis, go wild on the end within the fifth spherical, Charles Oliveira beat Michael Chandler through unanimous determination.
The battle was a rematch of their Could 2021 battle when Charles Oliveira topped Chandler to win the light-weight title. Oliveira staked his declare to a different title battle with the win.
The fifth spherical was about nearly as good because it will get contained in the octagon highlighted by Chandler dropping Oliveira twice on his again.
The 38-year-old Chandler stepped contained in the cage for the primary time in two years, largely as a result of he waited for a battle that by no means materialised with Conor McGregor.
“We’ve been questioning the place you’ve been, Conor,” Chandler bellowed within the cage. “Come again and beat me in the event you can.”
