UFC 309 LIVE: Jon Jones stops Stipe Miocic to retain heavyweight title
Re-live the action after Jones beat Miocic in round three to keep the heavyweight belt
Jon Jones retained his heavyweight title with a stunning stoppage of Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, finishing the legend with a spinning back kick to the body.
The fight had proven controversial, with few fans wishing to see Jones, 37, face Miocic, 42, and many instead desiring a match-up between the champion and Tom Aspinall. Aspinall won the interim belt last November, after Jones vs Miocic fell through when Jones suffered an injury, and the Briton even retained the gold in July – in a rare occurrence in the UFC.
But in a move that has angered fans, Jones has long claimed he will not fight Aspinall, who was in the crowd at Madison Square Garden to watch UFC 309 on Saturday (16 November). And even after beating Miocic, Jones did not address the prospect of unifying the titles with Aspinall.
Jones was admittedly impressive against Miocic, dominating the former champion in round one – tripping his compatriot and raining down elbows for the majority of the round. Miocic showed impressive resilience, but he never truly threatened Jones, who looked better in every department and sealed the finish in round three, dropping his opponent with a spinning back kick to the body.
Jones rushed to pour on ground and pound, and referee Herb Dean quickly ended the fight. Re-live all the action from UFC 309 below.
Former champion Stipe Miocic retires from MMA after losing to Jon Jones
Jon Jones victorious in first heavyweight title defence
Charles Oliveira survives wild ending to beat Michael Chandler in co-main event
Oliveira dominated Chandler for four rounds of the co-main event, before surviving a dangerous fifth round to win on points.
With the result, the Brazilian went 2-0 against the American, surely became No 1 contender for his old lightweight belt.
UFC 309 LIVE: Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
A scary fighter, to say the least...
Heavyweights don’t land shots like Jones’s final blow.
Jon Jones stops Stipe Miocic with stunning spinning body kick at UFC 309
Jon Jones stops Stipe Miocic with stunning spinning body kick at UFC 309
Jones won in round three, then refused to address a potential fight with Tom Aspinall, the interim champion
UFC 309 LIVE: Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
Jon Jones def. Stipe Miocic via third-round TKO (spinning back kick, 4:29)
Jones: “He’s really good, he’s really tough, he’s really durable. It’s like fighting the Terminator. Very discouraging. But that body shot, no matter how tough you are, the liver’s the liver.”
Jones is asked about what’s next: retirement, Tom Aspinall, or Alex Pereira.
Jones chooses to speak about Jesus, then says: “I decided that maybe I will not retire.” There are cheers.
“I have some conversations to have with Dana [White, UFC president] and Hunter [Campbell, UFC CBO]. If everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you what you want to see.
“I know that we have options, and so I’m just gonna see what Uncle Dana wants, and what Uncle Hunter wants.”
Miocic: “I’m done, I’m hanging ‘em up. Thank God.”
UFC 309 LIVE: Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
Round three
Miocic gets after Jones, landing a couple of punches but struggling to do much damage. Jones gets behind his jab. A clinch ensues, and Miocic lands an uppercut then a cross!
Better from Miocic. Body kick by Jones. Low kick now. Jones is getting the better of these exchanges, and he hurts Miocic with a cross!!
But Miocic lands a good counter as Jones closes the distance! Jones grabs Miocic against the fence, but Stipe soon gets free.
Body kick by Jones. Now a low attack. Jones goes orthodox. Miocic’s left cheek is pretty bloody now.
He lands a one-two, and Jones resorts to some wrestling, but Miocic shrugs him off. Side kick to the body by Jones. He has so many weapons. He goes back to southpaw and lands a cross.
Miocic eats a left hook now, but he does have some success with a cluster of punches. Miocic blocks a body kick.
OH! But a spinning back kick to the body, and Miocic FOLDS! A few punches to a downed Miocic, and it’s all over!
Wowwwwwww. Jon Jones, man. A special finish.
UFC 309 LIVE: Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
Round two
Jones finally cut open Stipe at the end of the round, slicing the veteran’s cheek.
Miocic with a pair of jabs. More chants for the former champion in NYC. Short left hook by the Ohio native. Jones with a jab.
Uppercut by Miocic, but Jones fires back. Hard body kick by “Bones” now. Miocic jabs to the body. Another jab by Jones.
Miocic tries a combination but is lacking accuracy. Left hook by Jones. Front kick to the body. Fierce. Jones backs up Miocic, who looks hesitant to throw.
Inside low kick by Jones. Cross to the body from southpaw. He switches stances. Knee to the body by Jones in the clinch. Slick jab.
Miocic lands a cross, but he needs to throw more. Knee to the body – better.
He lands a jab, but his corner urges him to follow up on these single shots. Head kick partially lands for Jones. Now he kicks low. And to the body twice, with a front kick on the second effort.
Miocic has Jones running away after landing a one-two. Spinning back kick by Jones, attacking the body.
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