Jones retains UFC heavyweight title with stunning knockout of Miocic in front of Trump

 Jon Jones further solidified his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time with a dominant performance over Stipe Miocic, successfully retaining his UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 309. The 37-year-old American fighter delivered a breathtaking knockout in front of a star-studded crowd at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, leaving Miocic crumpled on the canvas after a brutal heel kick to the body.

Jones dominated the fight from the opening bell, stifling Miocic’s renowned boxing and imposing his will with precise strikes and superior grappling. After securing a slick trip takedown early in the first round, Jones kept Miocic on the ground, unloading a series of elbows that left his opponent on the defensive.

Miocic, 42, struggled to regain his rhythm, wary of Jones’s ability to close the distance and take the fight to the floor. However, Jones continued to press the action with calculated strikes, mixing in body shots from his southpaw stance to keep the former champion on his heels.

In the third round, Miocic mounted a brief resurgence, landing some solid strikes and attempting to build momentum. But Jones quickly neutralized the threat, connecting with a few sharp punches before landing a spectacular rotating heel kick that ended the fight in dramatic fashion.

After the victory, a jubilant Jones celebrated with the crowd, telling reporters in the cage: "That body shot, man—no matter how tough you are, the liver’s the liver.” Miocic, visibly in pain, announced his retirement shortly after the bout, saying, “I’m done. I’m hanging ’em up.”

With his 28-1-1 record, Jones remains one of the most dominant figures in the sport. Next in line to challenge Jones for the heavyweight crown is British heavyweight Tom Aspinall, who claimed the interim title in November 2023. UFC President Dana White confirmed Aspinall will face Jones in a unification bout next.

The night was also marked by the presence of former President Donald Trump, who was in attendance to witness Jones's victory. Trump, seated ringside, received a warm reception from the crowd. Jones, never one to shy away from a moment, celebrated with a playful imitation of Trump’s campaign trail dance. He also thanked the former president in his post-fight speech, saying, “I want to give a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight.” The moment prompted a raucous "USA! USA!" chant from the fans.

Also in attendance were tech mogul Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., both of whom have been tapped by Trump for prominent roles in his upcoming administration. 

As Jones basked in the spotlight, it was clear that his victory was one to remember, both for his performance inside the octagon and the star power surrounding the event.