CNN
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Jon Jones retained his UFC heavyweight title with an impressive spinning kick to stop Stipe Miocic in the third round of their fight at UFC 309 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Jones had not fought since winning the title in his heavyweight debut last March, while for Miocic it was his first time in the octagon since 2021.

And there was little to separate the two experienced fighters in the first two rounds until the final seconds of the third, when Jones produced a powerful spinning kick that struck Miocic in the midriff, causing him to double over in pain.

The referee waved off the fight and Jones celebrated retaining his title and his place as perhaps the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all time.

There was a lot of talk about what Jones would do after this fight if he won, retiring, a unification fight against interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall – the British fighter was in attendance in New York – and a blockbuster light-heavyweight clash with Alex Pereira. all possibilities.

And in the octagon afterward, the 37-year-old downplayed the possibility of retirement.

“I’ve decided that maybe I won’t retire and I’ll have some conversations with (UFC president) Dana (White) and (UFC chief business officer) Hunter (Campbell) and we’ll have to negotiate some more and if all goes well goes, maybe we’ll give you everything you want to see,” Jones told Joe Rogan.

When asked specifically which fight he would like next, Jones said, “I know we have options and so I’m just going to see what Uncle Dana wants and what Uncle Hunter wants and you guys will hear about it soon. Certainly.”

For Miocic, it was the final fight of his storied UFC career as he announced his retirement at the age of 42 shortly after the loss.

“It sucked that I lost. I knew he was one of the best of all time. Came strong. I felt good. I blocked and he grabbed me in the ribs,” the former two-time heavyweight champion said.

‘I’m done. I hang them up. I’m retiring, thank God.”

Jones was effusive in his praise for Miocic afterward.

“It’s like fighting the Terminator,” Jones explained. “Very, very disheartening to hit someone who doesn’t respond to it. But that body shot, no matter how strong you are, the liver is the liver.

Speaking in the octagon afterward, Jones also made special mention of newly elected US President Donald Trump, who sat ringside alongside White and Elon Musk. He was also joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kid Rock.

White is an old friend of Trump. He spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2016, and did so again this year in Milwaukee, days after Trump survived an assassination attempt.

White’s support for Trump came as his campaign sought to appeal to young men who were irregular voters, and especially to improve Republicans’ traditionally poor share of black and Latino men.

Trump received loud cheers from the crowd as he walked to his seat, while Jones recreated his now-famous dance after his victory.

After receiving his title belt, Jones walked to celebrate with Trump, shaking hands with Trump holding the belt.