On Saturday, Jon “Bones” Jones defeated Stipe Miocic to retain his title as the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion of the world and celebrated by paying tribute to President-elect Trump, who was at ringside.
Immediately after Jones landed a spinning back kick to Miocic's ribs, he broke into Trump's signature dance routine and ended the title fight with a technical knockout. As he danced in the ring, the clearly pro-Trump crowd roared in approval.
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Jon Jones (red gloves) fights Stipe Miokoic (blue gloves) in a heavyweight bout at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. (Brad Penner Imagen Images)
Jones danced and pointed at Trump, and the president-elect smiled and gave a thumbs up.
Jones also gave Trump a heartfelt shout-out in his postgame interview with Joe Rogan.
“I'm really grateful to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,” Jones said, as the crowd at Madison Square Garden went wild.
Donald Trump arrives at MSG for UFC 309. President-elect's crowd roars for weeks after historic rally
Jones then tapped into the crowd's energy and launched into “USA! USA!” They were happy to participate in it.
“I'm proud to be a great American champion. I'm proud to be a Christian American champion,” Jones added.
After the interview, Jones walked up to Trump, who was sitting ringside with Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, Don Jr. and Eric's son, Kid Rick, Vivek Ramaswamy, and other members of the UFC. He handed me the title belt.
President-elect Donald Trump presents the title belt to Jon Jones after defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York in the early morning hours of Sunday, November 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Trump invited Jones to the White House when he takes office as the 47th president next year.
While Jones said he may have more fights left, Miocic, 42, told Rogan that his career was over and that he was the best heavyweight to ever step into the Octagon. He said he deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a fighter.
Jones is considered by many to be the greatest fighter of all time, as he currently holds a record of 28-1 with one no contest.
Just weeks after holding a historic rally inside “the world's most famous arena,” President Trump made a triumphant return to MSG on Saturday night with a star-studded entourage to thunderous applause from fans.
Trump, making his first appearance in the UFC since defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election, received thunderous applause as he entered with his entourage.
“If anyone at home could hear the sound in this room right now, it's so loud!” Logan said on the pay-per-view broadcast as Trump entered the venue. “It’s always loud when he comes in, but now he won.” [the election]now he's president again, and lo and behold! ”
Jon Jones (red gloves) enters before his fight against Stipe Miokoic (blue gloves) during the heavyweight bout at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. (Brad Penner Imagen Images)
The broadcast added that those who could stand inside the arena did so as the videoboard began playing a video montage announcing President Trump's arrival. The arena was filled with chants of “USA! USA!”
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President Trump witnessed several other great fights on this UFC 309 card, including main event co-winner Charles Oliveira's unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler. Included. Chandler is a big supporter of Trump and even had a brief conversation with him after the fight after battling Oliveira for five rounds.
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