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

Jon Jones successfully retained his UFC heavyweight title with a stunning spinning kick that stopped Stipe Miocic in the third round of their highly anticipated fight at UFC 309 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. This victory solidified Jones’ place as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history, showcasing his skill and ability to finish a fight in dramatic fashion.

Jones, who had not fought since winning the heavyweight title in his debut at UFC 285 in March of the previous year, faced Miocic, the former two-time heavyweight champion. For Miocic, this was his first return to the octagon since 2021. The first two rounds were competitive, with both fighters exchanging strikes and struggling to gain the upper hand. Jones, known for his versatile striking and fight IQ, used a mix of kicks and elbows to keep Miocic at bay, but the Croatian fighter absorbed the damage and continued to press forward.

However, in the third round, Jones found the perfect opening. With just seconds remaining in the round, Jones launched a spinning kick that landed flush on Miocic’s midriff. The impact caused Miocic to double over in pain, and the referee quickly stepped in to stop the fight, declaring Jones the winner by knockout. The arena erupted in celebration as Jones defended his title, once again cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

After the fight, talk quickly turned to what’s next for Jones. Speculation swirled about a potential retirement, a unification bout against interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, or even a superfight against former light heavyweight rival Alex Pereira. Aspinall, who was in attendance at the event, had been vocal about his desire for a fight with Jones, and many fans were eager to see the two top heavyweights square off.

Jones, however, played down retirement in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. The 37-year-old champion expressed his desire to continue fighting but also indicated he had some important decisions to make with UFC President Dana White and Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell. “I decided that maybe I will not retire and that I have some conversations to have with Dana and Hunter, and we have some negotiating to do. If everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you guys everything you want to see,” Jones said.

When asked about his next opponent, Jones remained coy, stating, “I know that we have options, so I’m just going to see what Uncle Dana wants, and you guys will hear about it soon, I’m sure.” His comments left fans eagerly awaiting an announcement on his future, but it was clear that Jones was not going anywhere just yet.

For Miocic, the fight marked the end of an illustrious UFC career. Following the loss, Miocic, 42, announced his retirement from the sport. “It sucked I lost. I knew he was one of the best of all time,” Miocic said, reflecting on the fight. “I felt good. I was blocking, and he caught me in the ribs. I’m done. I’m hanging them up. I’m retiring, thank God.”

Jones was full of respect for Miocic after the fight, describing the former champion’s resilience and toughness. “It’s like fighting against the Terminator,” Jones said, acknowledging how difficult it was to land significant strikes on Miocic, who has built a reputation for his durability. “That body shot, no matter how tough you are, the liver’s the liver.”

In addition to his victory, Jones made headlines for his interaction with special guests sitting ringside, including President-elect Donald Trump, UFC President Dana White, and tech mogul Elon Musk. Trump, a longtime friend of White’s, was in attendance to watch the fight, and Jones took a moment to acknowledge him after securing the win. As Jones celebrated with his belt, he walked over to Trump, shaking his hand and even allowing the President-elect to hold the championship belt. The moment drew attention as the crowd cheered, and Jones mimicked Trump’s famous dance moves, adding a playful touch to the victory celebration.

Jones’ triumph at UFC 309 further reinforced his status as the undisputed king of the UFC heavyweight division, while Miocic’s retirement marked the end of an era for one of the sport’s most respected champions. Fans and pundits alike are now eagerly awaiting to see who Jones will face next as his legendary career continues to unfold.