Jon Jones has done it again. The one considered by many to be the best in sports history adds and continues on its impeccable trajectory. After dominating for years in the light heavyweight division and conquering the heavyweight division in 2023, he had to defend his belt, and he has already achieved it. Jon Jones passed over Stipe Miocic, considered the best heavyweight of all time in the UFC, since he is the one with the most championship victories in the division.
Without a doubt, Madison Square Garden witnessed another historical quote of contact sports. Jones came with everything in his favor and did not disappoint. dominoes in all facets of the game. In the fight he knocked down, in grappling he maintained positions and transitioned at will, and in the stand-up fight he connected more and ended up finishing. Stipe Miocic could do little more than try to land an isolated blow. For his part, the champion’s strategy was to punish the body, which paid off in the third round.
But let’s recap. In the early stages of the fight, Jones came out to take down. This first attempt was stopped by Miocic, who responded with blows that did not come to fruition. Immediately afterwards, the champion began to kick, both at the legs and at the liver area of his opponent. In an attack by Miocic, they end up in the clinch (gripping situation between the two) against the fence, which Jones takes advantage of to knock down. From here to the end the punishment was shocking. Numerous elbows fell hard on the face of the candidate, who was able to hold on until the end.
Despite the good results that Jon Jones had obtained on the canvas, the second set remained a static fight in its entirety. This allowed Stipe Miocic to look a little better thanks to his boxing. However, this was not enough, as the kick to Jones’ legs, torso and head ewas being decisive. Little by little, the blows to Miocic’s body were accumulating.
In the third round, the former champion tried to take the fight to exchanges, but Bones (the nickname by which Jon Jones is known) easily avoided him. In addition, he began to connect his jab. One of these left blows hurt Miocic, and Jones immediately landed a right hand that it made him stagger. It was the beginning of the end. Although Stipe was able to get out of that situation, the calm was momentary. Upon reaching the fence, Jon Jones delivered a spinning kick to Miocic’s abdomen, making let it fall to the ground. The body kick strategy paid off. Faced with that, the one from Cleveland could do little, which was finished off with blows.
With this victory Jon Jones obtains his first defense of the heavyweight belt and 16 wins in championship fightsabsolute record. In the subsequent interview he was asked about his retirement, and he said that most likely he will not. And not only this, he also hinted at the possibility that his fight with Tom Aspinall would take place in the future, which would have to be negotiated with Dana White.
On the other side of the coin, Stipe Miocic said goodbye to mixed martial arts at the age of 42 after a historic career. Despite not having looked the best in this fight, it is a fact that will be remembered as a legend in the company. With six victories in heavyweight championship fights and the most consecutive defenses (three), his status as best heavyweight in UFC history remains intact.
