Jon Jones beat Stipe Miocic to retain his title (Image: undefined)
Jon Jones has been handed a brief medical suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission, following his successful defence of his heavyweight title at UFC 309 against Stipe Miocic. The American fighter, known as ‘Bones’, had won the title after defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 last year.
From the outset, Jones was quick to gain momentum, catching Miocic off guard with his speed. Midway through the first round, Jones managed to take down Miocic and land several brutal elbows to the temple.
Throughout the fight, Miocic struggled to find rhythm or land any significant blows, while Jones kept up the pressure with sharp jabs and body kicks. In the third round, a brutal liver kick from Jones brought a tired Miocic down, allowing Jones to finish the job in style.
Following his victory at Madison Square Garden in New York, the 37 year old Jones celebrated by doing his best impression in front of the soon-to-be 47th president.
After his triumph in the ‘Big Apple’, Jones was mandated a seven-day rest period by the New York State Athletic Commission, as per MMA Fighting. Miocic, the ex-heavyweight champ, absorbed considerable punishment during the bout and received a 60-day medical suspension, reports the Mirror.
Nonetheless, this is of little consequence to Miocic, who declared his departure from the sport post-fight, stating, “I’m done,” and “I’m hanging them up. I’m retiring. Thank God.”
Following this, Miocic expressed his sentiments on , reflecting on his final match as “the perfect ending.”
He penned, “Let me start this post by saying I am good,” and continued, “[I have] been through a lot worse. I hope everybody enjoyed the show on Saturday. What an incredible way [to] go out! I started this journey fighting in local bowling alleys [and] ended it selling out Madison Square Garden. It truly doesn’t get better than that.”
He added, “Sorry I don’t get the [win], but you can’t get ’em all. Sometimes it’s not your night, that is the nature of the beast. You can’t plan a perfect ending in this sport. But I guess the perfect ending is to have been lucky enough to do it at all. You all have given me so much, and I hope I did you all proud. I felt all of you with me at every battle.”
In the co-main event, Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler delivered a thrilling performance. Despite Oliveira’s dominance throughout most of the lightweight rematch, Chandler almost clinched victory in the final round but ultimately lost on points.
Following the match, both fighters have been issued a 30-day suspension by the NYSAC.