Up against the widely recognized greatest heavyweight of all-time, Jon Jones made it known that the universally acknowledged greatest fighter of all-time is still in a class all by himself.
Jones (28-1) thoroughly dominated the former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic (20-5) on Sunday at UFC 309, which took place inside the famed Madison Square Garden. He even left no doubt as to the winner, knocking out Miocic in the third round with a spinning backkick to the body that sent the 42-year-old crumpling to the canvas in obvious pain.
Jones Showcases the Entire Arsenal to Fend Off Miocic
The 37-year-old Jones was in total control of the five-round fight, outlanding Miocic 104 to 42 and dictating the terms of engagement. Jones imposed his will right at the opening round, taking Miocic down and landing vicious elbows from the top position. The champ then used his length to frustrate the ex-champ, repeatedly catching him with front kicks and pinpoint jabs in the second and third rounds.
Afterward, Jones acknowledged Miocic and admitted that going to the body was the plan all along.
“He’s really, really good,” Jones said, referring to Miocic. “He’s tough, durable. I hit him with some decent shots, and he kept coming forward. Everyone knows Stipe isn’t the biggest heavyweight. He comes lean and in great shape. I watched him have wars with Daniel Cormier and a lot of guys, and they were rock ’em, sock ’em. He doesn’t react much to getting hit in the face, so our plan was to get him in the body.”
Get him in the body Jones did, as his spinning back kicks to Miocic’s midsection capped off yet another sterling performance from the American, who now has 16 wins in title fights—the most by far in the UFC.
Is Tom Aspinall Next?
Postfight, Jones left the door open for a potential heavyweight unification fight with interim heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall. Jones had notably said before UFC 309 that he is not interested in fighting the Englishman.
“I’ve decided maybe I will not retire,” said Jones, who said he will sit down with UFC CEO Dana White and chief business officer Hunter Campbell. “We’ll negotiate. If everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see.”
Aspinall, who sat cage side on Sunday, has been on a tear in the heavyweight division, going 8-1 with seven first-round finishes. He won the interim title in November 2023 at UFC 295 by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich and then defended the belt at UFC 304 with a stoppage over Curtis Blaydes.
Now, a date with Jones seems like a distinct possibility.
