Jon Jones Secures Brutal Spinning Kick Victory, Retains Heav...

Main Event: UFC 309

The highly anticipated main event of UFC 309 saw Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. Jones entered the octagon after his dominant victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 on March 5, 2023. That win marked his triumphant debut as a heavyweight champion, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. This fight represented his first title defense since moving up to the heavyweight division.

His opponent, the 42-year-old former champion Stipe Miocic, made his return to the octagon after a long hiatus. Miocic’s last fight was a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 on March 28, 2021. After more than three years of preparation and recovery, Miocic aimed to reclaim the title from the division’s new king.

Jones Takes Control Early

As the first round began, Jones wasted no time asserting dominance. He pushed forward aggressively, engaging in early exchanges to gauge Miocic’s timing and power. A sharp kick from Jones triggered an aggressive counterattack from Miocic, but the reigning champion skillfully avoided damage. About ninety seconds into the round, Jones executed a clinical takedown, swiftly establishing top control. From there, he unleashed his signature elbows, cutting through Miocic’s defenses. The former champion struggled to escape Jones’ iron grip, barely surviving until the end of the round.

The second round saw a more measured pace from both fighters. Jones, calm and calculated, waited for openings while Miocic, visibly fatigued, worked to find his rhythm. Midway through the round, Miocic landed a clean jab that momentarily disrupted Jones’ flow, but it lacked significant impact. Toward the round’s end, Miocic made a valiant attempt to press forward, only to be met with Jones’ strategic counterattacks.

A Stunning Finish in the Third Round

Miocic opened the third round with renewed aggression, trying to corner Jones. The champion, showing excellent footwork, avoided major damage and continued to mix up his attacks. Miocic focused heavily on boxing combinations, while Jones showcased his diverse striking arsenal. With just 38 seconds left in the round, Jones landed a perfectly timed spinning back kick to Miocic’s liver. The devastating strike sent the challenger crashing to the canvas. Jones wasted no time, delivering follow-up punches before referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the fight.

With this TKO victory, Jones successfully defended his heavyweight title, solidifying his position as the division’s most dominant force.

Jones Hints at Future Plans

In his post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan, Jones shared his thoughts on what lies ahead:

“I’ve decided that I will not retire. I need to have some conversations with Dana [White] and Hunter [Campbell]; we have negotiations to do. If all goes well, maybe we can give you what you want to see,” Jones stated.

He added, “I know we have options. I’m going to wait and see what Uncle Dana and Uncle Hunter want, and I’m sure you’ll hear about it soon.”