NEW YORK (AP) — Inside Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones delivered a stunning performance that ended with him knocking heavyweight challenger Stipe Miocic out of the ring and into retirement. After securing his victory, the celebrated fighter, often regarded as the greatest in UFC history, celebrated with an enthusiastic and quirky dance in the cage, dedicating the moment to President-elect Donald Trump.
The atmosphere was electric as Jones posed triumphantly atop the cage, moments after Miocic struggled to regain his footing on all fours. The UFC heavyweight title was even momentarily passed to Trump, who enthusiastically clutched it in the front row, highlighting the unique blend of sports and politics present that night.
Jones personally thanked Trump, prompting raucous cheers and chants of “USA!” from the audience as he emphasized his pride in representing the nation. “I’m proud to be a great American champion,” he remarked amidst the celebratory atmosphere.
With a remarkable spinning back kick to Miocic’s ribs, followed by a series of precise strikes, Jones secured the TKO victory in the third round, ensuring he retained the UFC heavyweight championship. The event, which attracted notable figures such as Elon Musk and Robert Kennedy Jr. in the audience, became UFC’s fourth-highest grossing event, pulling in over $16.6 million.
Earlier in the evening, Trump made a grand entrance, receiving thunderous applause from the 20,200 fans before the pay-per-view card began. Throughout the night, fighters paid homage to Trump, who seemed to revel in the excitement around him.
Considered by many as the top fighter globally, Jones (28-1-0; 1 NC) came out aggressive from the beginning. He targeted Miocic’s head and quickly demonstrated his superior fighting skills by causing visible damage early in the first round, leaving Miocic bloodied under his eye.
Looking ahead, British heavyweight Tom Aspinall is poised as the next challenger for Jones. Aspinall had previously secured the interim heavyweight title last November at the same venue. UFC CEO Dana White has assured Aspinall, who was seen chatting with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, that he will have a chance to unify the title against the winner of this main event.
Jones hinted at his future in the octagon, stating, “I’ve decided that maybe I will not retire. I know that we have options.” Meanwhile, the 42-year-old Miocic (20-5), in the face of his failed bid for a third heavyweight title, announced his retirement immediately after the match, declaring, “I’m done. I’m hanging ‘em up. Thank God.”
In a vibrant display of support, UFC fans wore red Trump hats and waved flags featuring the President’s image during the event. The action inside the octagon included a thrilling lightweight bout where Charles Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via unanimous decision, further affirming his position for another title shot.
Chandler made a statement in the cage, calling out Conor McGregor, inviting him to return to the octagon and face him after a lengthy wait for a matchup with the Irish fighter, who is currently embroiled in legal issues.
The relationship between Trump and UFC president Dana White has deep roots, reaching back to UFC’s early days. White has often credited venues like the Trump Taj Mahal for contributing to the UFC’s growth into an industry leader. Both White and Trump have shared a mutual admiration, with White supporting Trump’s political endeavors and having appeared at the Republican National Convention.
In a lighthearted moment, fighter Bo Nickal engaged with Trump after his victory over Paul Craig, sharing a laugh over golf swings. Similarly, Trump shared a warm greeting with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, engaging in conversation just before the main card began.
As the night unfolded, the intense passion of UFC fighters was evident, with many expressing enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of Trump. “To see Dana up on stage at the election, I feel like that moment just elevated the whole sport,” Jones noted, reflecting on the significance of having a figure like Trump support the UFC.
Looking forward, the fight night was not only a showcase of athleticism but also a significant political event, blending sports and governance in front of a captivated audience.
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