Jones Defeats Miocic at UFC 309 in Star-Studded Event
Jon Jones showcased his dominance at UFC 309 with a stunning knockout victory over Stipe Miocic to retain his heavyweight title. The fight, held at Madison Square Garden, marked Miocic’s retirement and solidified Jones’s legacy in the octagon.
The event drew a high-profile audience, including President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Robert Kennedy Jr. Trump entered to a raucous ovation from the crowd of 20,200 fans, who later chanted “USA! USA!” as Jones thanked him for attending. Trump, a long-time ally of UFC President Dana White, was greeted warmly by the fighters, further highlighting his close connection to the sport.
Jones, recovering from surgery earlier this year, praised Miocic’s toughness but hinted he may not retire from the sport just yet. “I’ve decided maybe I will not retire,” Jones teased after the fight.
Xi Jinping Discusses US-China Relations Ahead of Trump’s Presidency
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of mutual respect in US-China relations during a meeting with outgoing President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru. While Xi didn’t mention President-elect Donald Trump by name, his remarks seemed aimed at the incoming administration.
Xi reiterated China’s commitment to a stable and cooperative relationship, warning that rivalry and hostility could harm both nations. “If we take each other as rivals or adversaries, pursue vicious competition, and seek to hurt each other, we would roil the relationship or even set it back,” Xi said.
The comments come as Trump prepares to return to the White House after a campaign focused heavily on tough rhetoric toward China. Trump has pledged to continue imposing economic measures to protect American industries from Chinese competition and criticized Beijing’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden’s Farewell Message to Xi
President Biden used his final meeting with Xi to reflect on their candid relationship and stress the importance of preventing conflict between the two nations. Biden reiterated the US’s “one China policy” while advocating for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The leaders also addressed global challenges, including artificial intelligence and synthetic drug trafficking. Biden urged caution in the development of AI for military purposes and called for an end to destabilizing Chinese military actions near Taiwan.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the future of US-China relations remains uncertain, with both sides emphasizing the need for cautious diplomacy amidst their differences.