[Star Daily News=Reporter Kim Nana] UFC heavyweight (120.2kg) champion Jon Jones (37, USA) continued his legend by putting the greatest heavyweight fighter in history, Stipe Miocic (42, USA), to sleep with a taekwondo back kick.
Jones (28 wins, 1 loss, 1 no contest) successfully defended his title for the first time with a TKO victory over Miocic at 4 minutes and 29 seconds in the 3rd round with a following barrage of punches at the ‘UFC 309: Jones vs Miocic’ main event held at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York, USA, on the 17th (Korean time).
He has solidified his position as the greatest fighter in mixed martial arts (MMA) history. He recorded 16 wins in title fights. Originally winning 14 times in the light heavyweight division and twice in the heavyweight division since moving up last year, he elevated his achievements by defeating Miocic, who held the record for most defeats (6) and defenses (3) in heavyweight title fights.
It was a dominant victory. From the start, Jones intercepted Miocic from a distance with jabs and body kicks. Though Miocic advanced to close the distance, he was instead taken down to the ground. Jones tormented Miocic with his specialty elbows.
Finally, in the third round, the back kick that Jones had trained with his taekwondo coach for half a year struck. A straight punch following Jones’s jab hit Miocic’s chin solidly, and Miocic’s knees buckled, signifying defeat. Driving Miocic into the cage like a hunter, Jones landed a powerful taekwondo back kick to Miocic’s torso. When Miocic collapsed in pain, Jones’s follow-up strikes prompted the referee to stop the match.
Jones celebrated his victory by performing the ‘Trump dance’ toward the 47th US President-elect, Donald Trump (78, USA), who came to watch the match. President-elect Trump enjoyed the UFC 309: Jones vs Miocic event with Elon Musk (53, USA), Tesla CEO and the nominee for the head of the U.S. Department of Efficiency.
In the post-match interview, Jones remarked, “Miocic did really well. He especially demonstrated good resilience. Though I landed decent attacks, he kept advancing like the Terminator. But no matter how tough you are, when hit properly, you are done,” expressing his victory sentiments.
Regarding the retirement speculation raised before the fight, he postponed an immediate answer by saying, “I might not retire.” He further stated, “I need to talk with UFC CEO Dana White and CBO Hunter Campbell. If negotiations go well, we can give the fans the gift they want.”
As for his next opponent, he prefers UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (31, England) over light heavyweight (93kg) champion Alex Pereira (37, Brazil). He clarified, “I am not interested in a fight with Aspinall. A match with Pereira is my priority,” expressing his determination during the post-match press conference.
The match setup remains uncertain. White, the CEO, stated during the post-match press conference, “Jones is too big. There’s no way I’m considering pushing for a fight with Pereira.” Instead, he expressed his intention to pursue a unified title match, saying, “The fight between Jones and Aspinall will be the biggest match in UFC heavyweight history.”
Meanwhile, Miocic (20 wins, 5 losses), who lost the match, bid farewell to the octagon. Admitting that “Jones is one of the greatest players in history,” he declared his retirement, saying, “I’m done with this.” In the co-main event, former UFC lightweight (70.3kg) champion Charles Oliveira (35, Brazil) secured another shot at the title by winning unanimously (49-46, 49-46, 49-45) against Michael Chandler (38, USA).
Oliveira (35 wins, 10 losses, 1 no contest) dominated Chandler till the 4th round with impeccable skills. After inflicting damage with front kicks and punches, he took down Chandler, who was defensive, controlling him on the ground. Chandler was only focused on defending against submissions.
A miraculous comeback nearly unfolded. Chandler landed a series of punches, delivering a right hook, left straight, and right hook, severely shocking Oliveira. Oliveira narrowly escaped the crisis by attempting a takedown on Chandler.
After the fight, Oliveira expressed, “I’ve always dedicated victories to my daughter, but now my son is born. I dedicate this victory to my son Dominic,” conveying his victory sentiment.
He continued, “I will be watching from the sidelines for the next lightweight title fight, wherever and however it turns out,” showing his determination to reclaim the title.
The UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (33, Russia) is expected to face number one ranked Arman Tsarukyan (28, Armenia) for his 4th title defense.
White, the CEO, commented positively on Oliveira’s title pursuit, stating, “Then I will bring Oliveira to the venue where the title match will be held in Brazil.”
Chandler, despite the loss, raised his stock with impressive performances in the final round. He boldly declared, “All I know is to dive in fearlessly like a true American tough guy,” expressing his desire to challenge the Max Holloway (32, USA) BMF title or fight former UFC featherweight-lightweight champion Conor McGregor (36, Ireland).
▣ UFC 309: Jones vs Miocic
November 17, 2024
▶Official Results
Audience: 20,200 (Sold out. The second highest entrance revenue in Madison Square Garden history. UFC holds the first, second, third, fourth, sixth, eighth, and ninth entrances revenue records at MSG)
Fight of the Night: Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler 2
Performance of the Night: Jon Jones, Ramiz Brahimaj, Oban Elliott
▶Main Event (UFC Heavyweight Title Match)
Jon Jones won against Stipe Miocic at 4 minutes 29 seconds in the 3rd round by TKO (spinning back kick and punches)
▶Co-Main Event
Charles Oliveira won unanimously against Michael Chandler (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
▶Main Card
Bo Nickal won unanimously against Paul Craig (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Viviane Araújo won unanimously against Karine Silva (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Maurício Ruí won unanimously against Jesús Yontop (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
▶Undercard
Marcus McGhee won unanimously against Jonathan Martinez (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jim Miller won by submission at 2 minutes 44 seconds in the 1st round against Damon Jackson (guillotine choke)
David Onama won unanimously against Roberto Romero (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Marcin Tybura won by TKO at 5 minutes in the 2nd round against Jonathan Jeunesse (doctor stoppage)
Ramiz Brahimaj won by KO at 2 minutes 55 seconds in the 1st round against Mickey Gall (right punch)
Oban Elliott won by KO at 40 seconds in the 3rd round against Basil Apes (punch)
Eduardo Mora won unanimously against Veronica Hardy (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)