UFC 309: Jon Jones defeats Stipe Miocic by knockout to defend UFC heavyweight championship title

Jon Jones beat Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 to retain the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis.

The 37-year-old claimed a file sixteenth title struggle victory by knockout within the third spherical of the blockbuster bout, stopping his 42-year-old counterpart with a spinning kick.

Jones now holds a UFC file of 27-1-0 as he cemented himself as one of many best combined martial artists of all time.

Miocic began the struggle positively and linked with a few pictures earlier than Jones introduced him right down to the mat midway by the opener and delivered some damaging elbow blows.

Jones linked strongly with Miocic’s head and the final huge elbow lower open the challenger’s proper cheek.

Within the second spherical, which was gradual for essentially the most half, each fighters remained on their toes as Miocic took some kicks and knees from Jones, earlier than touchdown some single pictures of his personal.

There have been calls from Miocic’s nook to comply with by together with his assaults, however the 42-year-old held again, and the pair headed for the decisive third spherical.

Former two-time champion Miocic continued the momentum with a powerful uppercut early within the spherical, however Jones – who surprisingly hadn’t tried a takedown for the reason that opener – had management of the struggle from distance. 

He caught Miocic with a painful proper cross which left his opponent wincing, however Miocic fought again and clipped Jones with one other uppercut when he got here shut.

However Jones retreated to maintain his distance the place he was getting essentially the most pleasure and dominated Miocic with kicks and straight pictures earlier than touchdown the devastating blow, a spinning kick to the ribs.

Miocic hit the deck and Jones dived in to complete him off, however the referee stepped in to declare the top of the struggle, which meant Jones was champion once more.

Afterwards, Jones described dealing with Miocic – who he was resulting from lock horns with final yr earlier than damage caught – like “preventing towards the Terminator”.

“He is actually, actually good. He is actually powerful, he is actually sturdy,” Jones informed TNT Sports activities. “I used to be hitting him with some respectable pictures and he stored coming ahead.

“Very, very discouraging to hit anyone that is not reacting to it. However that physique shot, regardless of how powerful you might be, the liver’s the liver.

“Everybody is aware of that Stipe Miocic is not the most important heavyweight however he at all times comes lean. 

“He at all times is available in nice form cardio form. I watched him have wars with Daniel Cormier and quite a lot of guys the place they only rock ‘n’ sock em. 

“He would not react a lot to getting punched within the face. So our plan was to try to assault the physique just a little bit extra. I hoped to get him out within the first spherical however he hung in there.”