Jon Jones sends Stipe Miocic into retirement with decisive UFC heavyweight win in front of Trump

Jon Jones sent Stipe Miocic into retirement with a stunning back kick to ribs and used a series of blows to he in third round to retain UFC heavyweight championship in front of President-elect Donald Trump in main event of UFC 309 at Mison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Jones posed and played to crowd on top of octagon in front of Trump, Elon Musk, picked by Trump to le a new Department of Government Efficiency, and Robert Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choice to le Department of Health and Human Services in his incoming ministration.

Trump walked out to a rousing ovation in front of 20,200 fans just before start of pay-per-view card and seemed to bask in thrill of fighters that throughout night gave him props — including Jones.

“I want to give a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump being here tonight,” Jones said to a roaring ovation that bled into a “USA! USA!” chant.

"I'm proud to be a great American champion,” Jones said.

Widely considered best fighter in world, Jones (28-1-0; 1 NC) was aggressor from start and landed a series of shots to Miocic's he in first round. Jones showed he he plenty of fight left in tank.

British heavyweight Tom Aspinall looms as next challenger for Jones. Aspinall won a fight for interim heavyweight title last November in Garden. UFC CEO Dana White h promised Aspinall, who chatted with Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, would challenge winner of main event in a unification bout.

“As far as my future in octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire,” Jones said. "I know that we have options.

Miocic (20-5) failed in his bid to win heavyweight crown for a third time and immediately announced his retirement.

“I'm done,” Miocic said. “I'm hanging 'em up.”

His last fight was in front of next president.

White captioned a photo he posted on social media “ boys” that featured him with Trump, Kid Rock and Musk. Trump pumped a fist during an occasional outbreak of “USA! USA!” chants. He was flanked on his front-row seat by White on his right and Musk on his left and politely applauded fight winners.

UFC fans wore red Trump hats and some waved flags emblazoned with his image during breaks in action.

In a lightweight bout that me every fan from Kid Rock to Jordan Knight to Anthony Kiedis go wild at finish in fifth round, Charles Oliveira beat Michael Chandler via unanimous decision. fight was a rematch of ir May 2021 fight when Charles Oliveira topped Chandler to win lightweight title. Oliveira staked his claim to anor title fight with win

fifth round was about as good as it gets inside octagon highlighted by Chandler dropping Oliveira twice on his back. 38-year-old Chandler stepped inside cage for first time in two years, in large part because he waited for a fight that never materialized with Conor McGregor.

“We've been wondering where you've been, Conor,” Chandler bellowed in cage. “Come back and beat me if you can.”

McGregor has been sued by a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in a Dublin hotel in 2018.

Chandler shook Trump’s hand after fight on a card more charged with politics than punches.

Trump is tight with White, a relationship that dates to UFC’s formative years before its rise into a billion-dollar promotion. New Jersey was one of first states that embraced UFC and White has long credited fights at Trump Taj Mahal for helping company grow into a heavyweight in sports world. White both spoke at Trump’s request at Republican National Convention and appeared on stage at election party.

UFC fighters spoke this week in New York with excitement about earning chance to fight in front of Trump.

“To see Dana up on stage at election, I feel like that moment just elevated whole sport,” Jones said. “Americans, people from around world were like, who’s bald-heed dude talking? That represents all of us.”

Bo Nickal topped Paul Craig by unanimous decision in a welterweight fight, n crouched to speak to Trump.

Trump threw his arms open when he spotted UFC brocaster Joe Rogan. Trump and Rogan embraced and shared a few words before opening bout of main card.

Trump sat ahe of election for a three-hour interview on Rogan's podcast. Rogan helped encourage on podcast some of Trump's false claims about voting, election fraud and his loss in 2020 presidential election.

Rogan endorsed Trump for president.

Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also attended.