Jon Jones sends Stipe Miocic into retirement ahead of Trump | In Pictures News

Jon Jones sent Stipe Miocic into retirement with a stunning back kick to the ribs and used a series of head blows in the third round to retain the UFC heavyweight champion in front of United States President-elect Donald Trump in the UFC’s main event. 309 at Madison Square Garden.

Jones posed for pictures and played with the crowd at the top of the octagon on Saturday night in front of Trump, Elon Musk and Robert Kennedy Jr.

Trump came out to roars in front of 20,200 fans just before the start of the pay-per-view card and appeared to be cheered by the fighters who gave him props throughout the night, including Jones.

Known to some in the mixed martial arts world as the “Combatant in Chief”, Trump counts UFC President Dana White as a close friend and considers the sport’s fans part of his political base.

“I want to say a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump [for] for being here tonight,” Jones said in a booming voice “USA! USA!” song.

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

Trump did some dancing as his signature campaign song, YMCA, played over the microphone. He finally sat down and talked about Musk’s life.

Jones’ heavyweight title defense was his first fight since March 2023, and the 37-year-old made a successful return to the octagon after undergoing pectoral surgery that postponed a meeting with Miocic at UFC 295.

Jones paid tribute to Miocic after the fight, praising his toughness.

“He’s really good,” Jones said of Miocic. “He’s really tough. You are really strong. I hit him with a really good shot, and he kept coming forward.”

While Miocic has opted to retire after the fight, Jones plans to stick with heavyweight.

“I’ve decided I’m probably not going to retire,” Jones said.