Jon Jones retained his UFC heavyweight championship by defeating Stipe Miocic with a back kick to the ribs, followed by a series of head blows in the third round at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. The fight was attended by President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Robert Kennedy Jr. Trump received a rousing ovation from fans and Jones thanked him for being there, declaring himself a proud American champion.
After the fight, British heavyweight Tom Aspinall was named as the next challenger for Jones. Despite Miocic announcing his retirement after the loss, Jones mentioned that he may not retire and has various options for his future in the octagon.
In another high-energy lightweight fight, Charles Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via unanimous decision in a bout that had celebrities like Kid Rock, Jordan Knight, and Anthony Kiedis cheering. The fight was a rematch from May 2021, and Oliveira’s win earned him another title shot.
The event was also marked by political influences, with Trump seated next to UFC CEO Dana White, and cheered on by fans wearing red Trump hats and waving flags with his image. Trump’s presence added to the already charged atmosphere of the fights.
The night concluded with UFC fighters interacting with Trump, including Bo Nickal speaking to him after his win and Trump embracing UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan. The event highlighted the close relationship between the UFC and Trump, with fighters expressing excitement about the opportunity to fight in front of him.
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