The American Jon Jones, MMA star, retained his UFC heavyweight title by beating his colleague Stipe Miocic on Saturday in New York under the eyes of Donald Trump.
At the age of 37, Jones made his much-anticipated return to New York, having postponed his title defense against Miocic scheduled a year ago due to a torn pectoral muscle and surgery angle. For his first fight since his success against Frenchman Cyril Gane in March 2023, Jones showed that he was largely superior to Miocic, a 42-year-old former glory and retired for the occasion. Jones controlled the pace of the fight with his devastating kicks to claim a 28th win, just one win short. He took Miocic to the ground in the first round, multiple elbows. Heckled at the beginning of the 3rd round, he sent a terrible direct shot, shortly before the decisive action.
A powerful spinning left kick to the ribs brought Miocic to his knees, before Jones followed and finished with a fist, then an elbow. In the process, Jones celebrated by mimicking the discipline of President-elect Donald Trump, another star of the evening at Madison Square Garden, where the 78-year-old Republican made a triumphant return after organizing a controversial meeting there before the presidential election. . A comedian then made comments that were later denounced as racist towards the Puerto Rican population.
“Thank you” Trump
Donald Trump is a regular at UFC evenings, where he is regularly applauded, along with the boss of the organization Dana White, an active supporter during the presidential campaign and present on stage during his victory speech on November 6. In a scripted entrance, Trump appeared surrounded by several of his relatives and allies, including Elon Musk and Bobby Kennedy Junior.
To chants of “USA, USA” from the crowd, he gave a hearty welcome to the night’s presenters, including his support Joe Rogan, before sitting down at the foot of the cage, and then congratulated Jones when the fight was over. “Thank you very much to President Donald Trump for being here this evening. I am proud to be a great American and Christian champion,” Jones said. Considered one of the greatest fighters in the history of mixed martial arts in 16 years of fighting, Jones became the youngest UFC champion in 2011 at 23, at light heavyweight, before moving up to the heavyweights .
His career was marred by scandals
Accused of violence by his fiancée, he was arrested by the police in 2021 before the charges were dropped. Jones has tested positive while suspended for doping several times, losing his only subsequent fight to disqualification. Cameroonian Francis Ngannou, who became the champion of the PFL, a rival organization of the UFC, is demanding a fight against Jones, who explained on Saturday that he was not stopping his career, without specifying who he wanted face.
How does Jon Jones’ fighting style contribute to his success in the heavyweight division?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and MMA Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we dive into the latest happenings in the world of sports. Today, we have with us MMA expert, Dr. Lisa Carter, a sports analyst and former professional fighter, to discuss Jon Jones’ latest fight where he successfully defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. Welcome, Dr. Carter!
Dr. Lisa Carter: Thank you for having me! Exciting times in the MMA world!
Editor: Jon Jones made a powerful return at the age of 37, performing impressively against Miocic after a year-long hiatus due to an injury. What does this victory say about Jones’ physical and mental readiness?
Dr. Carter: Jon Jones’ performance was nothing short of spectacular. Coming back from a significant injury, especially at his age, speaks volumes about his dedication and discipline. Even more impressive was his ability to control the fight and maintain a pace that Miocic, at 42, struggled to match. Physically, he seems to have come back stronger, and mentally, it appears he never lost that competitive edge—an essential aspect of any champion’s mindset.
Editor: Absolutely. As we saw in the fight, Jones utilized his signature technique—devastating kicks combined with ground control. How crucial are these skills in defining his success against someone with Miocic’s experience?
Dr. Carter: Technical proficiency is key in MMA. Jon Jones has always been an innovative fighter—his kicking game adds a diverse threat that can keep opponents guessing. Against a seasoned fighter like Miocic, Jones’ ability to vary his attacks and take the fight to the ground was critical. It showcases his versatility and strategic mindset, elements that can overwhelm even the most experienced fighters.
Editor: It was quite a spectacle, with Trump in attendance and even Jones mimicking the President’s discipline during his celebration. What do you think about the intersection of sports and politics, particularly in the context of UFC events?
Dr. Carter: The presence of a figure like Donald Trump certainly draws attention, and it can add a layer of excitement or controversy to the event. Fighters like Jones are often aware of the spectacle beyond the cage. His mimicry could simply be a lighthearted nod to the atmosphere, but it also highlights how intertwined sports and pop culture have become. Whether people like it or not, the political dimension can amplify the emotional stakes for fans.
Editor: Moving forward, what do you believe is next for Jon Jones? How does this victory position him in the heavyweight division and potentially in MMA history?
Dr. Carter: This triumph undoubtedly solidifies Jon Jones as an all-time great. With 28 wins and only one victory away from a historic milestone, his sights may turn towards other high-profile contenders. Fans are already speculating about potential matches with other elite heavyweights or even rematches with past opponents. If he can maintain his health and motivation, he could continue rewriting the record books.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights on Jon Jones and the broader implications of this fight. We look forward to seeing how the heavyweight division evolves from here!
Dr. Carter: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure discussing the dynamic world of MMA. Let’s see where Jones’ journey takes him next!