Jon Jones has announced that he isn’t retiring just yet after he defeated Stipe Miocic to retain the UFC Heavyweight title on November 16, Saturday.
Jones shut out the challenge from Miocic via TKO in the closing moments of the third round inside Madison Square Garden. This was Jones’ first fight since March 2023 when he had defeated Cyril Gane to win the heavyweight title.
Jones vs Miocic was supposed to take place last year but an injury would put the champion on the shelf for a long time. Miocic, on the other hand, had last fought in 2021, when he had lost the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou.
Speaking after the win, Jones first acknowledged Jesus Christ and then went on to comment that he will not leave the octagon just yet. He said he needs to have some negotiations with Dana White and then probably give the fans a super fight.
“I decided maybe I will not retire. I have some conversation to have with Dana (White). We have some negotiating to do. If everything goes right, then maybe we will give you guys what you want to see,” said Jones.
Jones has been linked with super fights with Alex Pereira and Tom Aspinall.
How did the fight transpire?
Jones would start with a couple of body kicks that seemingly rocked Miocic. The former champion found himself in a spot as Jones would get him on the mat. Jones would start to dominate the Croatian on the floor and started to land some stiff elbows to the head of Miocic as the crowd started to get behind the current champion.
Miocic was busted up by the stiff elbows from Jones and he sustained a cut on his face. The 42-year-old would be almost saved by the buzzer in the end of the first round as it was all Jones in the first 5 minutes.
Miocic would find some momentum in the second round as he would keep the fight mostly away from the ground and he was able to get some punches away on Jones. However, ‘Bones’ continued to remain the dominant one through the second round as well and looked to be in full command of the title fight.
The third round saw a slugfest between both men as they both did land some good shots on each other, but it did seem like Jones was still holding the edge. Miocic was slowly looking to see off the round and go into the championship one when a spinning kick to the body ended the day for Miocic.
The former champion slumped to the ground and Jones went in for the killer blow when the referee stepped in to stop the fight and award the win to the 37-year-old. Jones celebrated the win with a small dance.