Jon Jones’ first UFC heavyweight title defense is in the books — and it appears there may more on the horizon for the sport’s reigning king.
Jones pummeled Stipe Miocic for the better part of three rounds before melting the former two-time champion with a wicked spinning back kick to the body Saturday in the main event of UFC 309. It was a thoroughly dominant performance from one of the greatest talents MMA has ever seen, and afterward Jones announced that he has at least one more fight in him before he hangs up his gloves for good.
“It was like fighting against the Terminator. Very, very discouraging to hit somebody that’s not reacting to it. But that body shot, man, no matter how tough you are, the liver’s the liver,” Jones said post-fight.
“As far as my future in the octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire. I have some conversations to have with Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell), and we have some negotiating to do — and if everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see.”
What the sport’s fan base largely wants to see, as made clear by the chatter surrounding UFC 309 fight week, is a heavyweight title unification bout between Jones (27-1, 1 NC) and interim champion Tom Aspinall. Jones stated on Wednesday that he doesn’t ever intend to give Aspinall the opportunity to face him and issued an ultimatum that his next fight must be against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira or he will retire. UFC CEO Dana White pushed back on that notion Thursday though, stating that he expects the winner of Jones vs. Miocic to fight Aspinall and that Pereira will not be an option for Jones.
When asked Saturday whether Aspinall is now a possibility for him, Jones stated that he has options and reiterated his desire to speak with UFC officials.
If UFC 309’s main event was any indication, Jones, 37, still has plenty left in the tank.
He dominated Miocic (20-5) from pillar to post and nearly ended the fight early after smashing Miocic, 42, with a brutal hailstorm of elbows following a first-round trip takedown. Jones sliced open Miocic’s right cheek near the end of the opening frame, then battered Miocic’s body for the ensuing two rounds with an array of straight punches, prodding kicks, and thunderous spinning attacks.
The finishing sequence was a thing of beauty, as Jones leapt into a powerful spinning back kick that collided into Miocic’s left side and crumpled the former champ to the mat.
The official time of the stoppage was 4:29 of the third round.
As expected, Miocic announced his retirement in his post-fight interview. The Ohio native exits the sport as the most decorated UFC heavyweight in the promotion’s history, holding records for the most consecutive (3) and combined (4) title defenses in the division.
Prior to Saturday night, Miocic had been inactive since a March 2021 knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. His most recent win came in an August 2020 title defense against Daniel Cormier, which now ends up being the final win of his Hall of Fame career.
“I expected everything. I just didn’t do what I was supposed to do, and congratulations to him,” Miocic said. “He was supposed to, and he won. Hats off the him, nothing but the best for him.
“I’m done. I’m hanging them up. I’m retiring, thank God.”
Jones and Miocic were scheduled to fight one year ago at Madison Square Garden, however the November 2023 bout fell apart due to a Jones injury shoulder.
Jones submitted Ciryl Gane in the first round in March 2023 to capture the then-vacant UFC heavyweight title in his divisional debut following a lengthy run at light heavyweight.
