Jon Jones marked his return to the octagon with a stunning spinning back kick to stop Stipe Miocic in New York.
Over 18 months on from winning the UFC Heavyweight title, Jones was looking to add another chapter to his glittering MMA career at Madison Square Garden.
Miocic, a former holder of the belt, had also spent a prolonged period on the sidelines, but it was 37-year-old Jones who came through in style.
The tone was set with a big left hand and takedown from Jones, the American dominant through the first five minutes with Miocic effectively in survival mode as they grappled on the canvas.
Although there was a glimmer of life from Miocic in the second when he landed a straight right, the most significant blows were coming from the champion.
A cut below Miocic's eye had been opened up before the finish, which came at the back end of the third as Jones executed the perfect spinning back kick to send Miocic to the floor before the referee stepped in to wave off the fight moments later.
JON JONES SAYS HE WILL NOT RETIRE!!! 🤯#UFC309 | LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office ➡️ https://t.co/uXQAMHNTBd pic.twitter.com/4BUuGs4Kbx
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 17, 2024
Aspinall next?
Great Britain's Tom Aspinall - the holder of the interim belt - was in attendance in New York and will be hoping for a shot at a legendary figure in Jones.
There had been talk that Jones could choose to walk away from the sport, regardless of the outcome of Saturday's bout, but he revealed that will not be the case.
👀#UFC309 pic.twitter.com/VDkZw5GfFa
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 17, 2024
Jones said: "As far as my future in the octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire.
"I'll have some conversations and we have some negotiating to do and if everything goes right, maybe we'll give you guys what you want to see."
Miocic, meanwhile, revealed after the fifth defeat of a 25-fight career that he was retiring, saying: "It sucked I lost. I knew he was one of the best of all time.
"Came strong. I felt good. I was blocking and he caught me in the ribs. I'm done. I'm hanging them up. I'm retiring, thank God."
Aspinall will likely have to wait for Jones to make a decision on his next fight, unless UFC order a showdown between the pair in due course.
Darren Plant
