Jon Jones delivered a spectacular knockout against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, securing his heavyweight title defense with a spinning back kick to the ribs followed by a series of head strikes in the third round. The victory, which took place at Madison Square Garden, marked Miocic’s retirement and left Jones hinting at his continued reign in the division.
The high-profile event drew a star-studded audience, including President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Robert Kennedy Jr. Trump, who walked into the arena to thunderous applause from the crowd of 20,200 fans, was warmly acknowledged by Jones during his post-fight interview.
“I want to give a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump [for] being here tonight,” Jones said, sparking a loud “USA! USA!” chant from the audience.
Trump, a long-time ally of UFC President Dana White and a noted supporter of the sport, appeared to enjoy the night, engaging in conversations with Musk and dancing to his campaign song, YMCA.
Jones, fighting for the first time since March 2023 after recovering from pectoral surgery, showed no signs of rust. He praised Miocic’s durability in the octagon, calling him “really tough” and acknowledging his legendary status in the UFC.
Miocic, a former two-time heavyweight champion, announced his retirement following the fight, leaving behind a legacy as one of the division’s all-time greats. Meanwhile, Jones, 37, suggested he might continue competing, declaring, “I’ve decided maybe I will not retire.”
The event highlighted Jones’s dominance in the UFC heavyweight division and cemented his position as one of the sport’s greatest fighters in front of a historic and politically charged crowd.