NEW YORK — Jon Jones delivered a remarkable knockout punch to Stipe Miocic, announcing his dominance in the octagon and successfully defending the UFC heavyweight title during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, which was attended by President-elect Donald Trump. In a thrilling main event on Saturday night, Jones utilized a powerful back kick to Miocic’s ribs and followed it with a flurry of punches, ultimately ending the bout in the third round.
Jones showcased his championship status by celebrating atop the octagon in front of a notable crowd, which also included figures such as Elon Musk and Robert Kennedy Jr., both chosen by Trump for key positions in his upcoming administration. Trump, greeted with enthusiastic applause from the audience of 20,200, enjoyed the electric atmosphere generated by the fighters who acknowledged him during the event.
Expressing gratitude, Jones addressed the crowd by saying, “I want to give a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump being here tonight,” which sparked enthusiastic cheers and a “USA! USA!” chant from the audience. “I’m proud to be a great American champion,” Jones added, reinforcing his role as a prominent figure in the sport.
Regarded as one of the finest fighters in the world, Jones (28-1-0; 1 NC) demonstrated aggression from the opening moments, landing numerous hits on Miocic. This victory further proved that Jones still has plenty left in the tank, even as the next contender for his title appears to be British heavyweight Tom Aspinall. Aspinall previously claimed an interim heavyweight title fight last November and is now lined up for a shot at Jones in a unification contest, as UFC CEO Dana White has indicated.
Discussing his own future, Jones remarked, “As far as my future in the octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire. I know that we have options.” Meanwhile, Miocic (20-5), striving for a third reign as heavyweight champion, announced his retirement after the fight, stating, “I’m done. I’m hanging ’em up.”
Social media buzzed as UFC CEO Dana White shared a photo with Trump, Musk, and Kid Rock showcasing their camaraderie. Throughout the event, the support for Trump was palpable, as he appeared in the front row applauding the fighters and enjoying various moments of excitement, including spontaneous “USA! USA!” chants from fans, some of whom sported red Trump hats.
In another highlight event of the night, Charles Oliveira secured a unanimous decision victory over Michael Chandler in a lightweight battle that left fans visible thrill. This rematch revives their previous bout from May 2021 when Oliveira clinched the lightweight title. With this win, Oliveira positions himself for another title shot. The final round featured significant action, with Chandler managing to drop Oliveira twice. This fight marked Chandler’s return to the octagon after two years, stemming from frustration over a fight that never materialized against Conor McGregor.
“Where have you been, Conor?” Chandler hollered in the ring post-fight, challenging McGregor to return to competition. Notably, McGregor is currently facing legal troubles due to allegations made by a woman who accused him of sexual assault in a Dublin hotel back in 2018.
After his match, Chandler exchanged pleasantries with Trump, signaling the unique intersection of sports and politics that characterized this UFC event. Trump’s longstanding friendship with White dates back to the early days of UFC, contributing significantly to the organization’s growth into a billion-dollar enterprise. White has credited early events held at the Trump Taj Mahal as pivotal in solidifying the UFC’s presence in the sports industry.
Jones expressed how the evening’s atmosphere positively impacted the sport, stating, “To see Dana up on stage at the election, I feel like that moment just elevated the whole sport. Americans, people from around the world were like, who’s the bald-headed dude talking? That represents all of us.”
Welterweight fighter Bo Nickal also made headlines by defeating Paul Craig via unanimous decision before taking a moment to address Trump. The friendly encounter continued with Trump warmly recognizing UFC commentator Joe Rogan, a known supporter of Trump who previously featured him on his podcast for a candid discussion. The presence of Trump and various high-profile attendees such as Donald Jr., Eric Trump, and House Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted the political layers intertwined with the exhilarating fight night.