Jon Jones’ first UFC heavyweight title defense is in the books – and it looks like there’s more to come for the sport’s reigning king.
Jones pummeled Stipe Miocic for the better part of three rounds before melting the former two-time champion with a wicked spinning back kick to the body in the main event of UFC 309 on Saturday. It was a thoroughly dominant performance from one of the greatest talents in MMA. ever seen, and afterward, Jones announced that he has at least one more fight in him before hanging up his gloves for good.
“It was like fighting the Terminator. Very, very disheartening to hit someone who doesn’t react to it. But that body shot, man, no matter how strong you are, the liver is the liver,” Jones said after the fight.
“As for my future in the octagon, I have decided that I may not retire. I’m having some conversations with Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell), and we still have some negotiating to do – and if all goes well, maybe we’ll give you what you want to see.”
What the sport’s fanbase largely wants to see, as made clear by the buzz surrounding UFC 309 fight week, is a heavyweight title fight between Jones (27-1, 1 NC) and interim champion Tom Aspinall. Jones stated Wednesday that he never plans to give Aspinall the opportunity to face him and issued an ultimatum that his next fight must be against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira or he will retire. However, UFC CEO Dana White backtracked on that idea on Thursday, stating that he expects the winner of Jones vs. Miocic will fight Aspinall and Pereira will not be an option for Jones.
When asked Saturday if Aspinall is now a possibility for him, Jones stated he has options and reiterated his desire to speak with UFC officials.
If the main event of UFC 309 was any indication, Jones, 37, still has plenty left in the tank.
He dominated Miocic (20-5) from pillar to post and nearly ended the fight early after knocking Miocic, 42, down with a brutal hailstorm of elbows following a takedown in the first round. Jones sliced open Miocic’s right cheek at the end of the opening frame and then battered Miocic’s body over the next two rounds with a series of straight punches, poking kicks and thunderous, spinning strikes.
The final scene was a thing of beauty, as Jones delivered a powerful spinning back kick that bounced off Miocic’s left side and sent the former champion crashing to the mat.
The official time of the stoppage was 4:29 of the third round.
As expected, Miocic announced his retirement in his post-fight interview. The Ohio native leaves the sport as the most decorated UFC heavyweight in the promotion’s history, holding records for most consecutive (3) and combined (4) title defenses in the division.
Prior to Saturday night, Miocic had been inactive since a March 2021 knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. His most recent win came in August 2020 during the title defense against Daniel Cormier, which will now be the final victory of his Hall of Fame career.
“I expected everything. I just didn’t do what I had to do, and congratulations to him,” Miocic said. “He was supposed to do that, and he won. Hats off to you, nothing but the best for him.
‘I’m done. I hang them up. I’m retiring, thank God.’
Jones and Miocic were scheduled to fight a year ago at Madison Square Garden, but the November 2023 fight fell apart due to a Jones shoulder injury.
Jones submitted Ciryl Gane in the first round in March 2023 to capture the then-vacant UFC heavyweight title in his division debut after a long run at light heavyweight.
