UFC 309: Jon Jones sensationally STOPS Stipe Miocic with brutal spinning kick to retain HW title and retire rival

JON JONES created yet more history with an emphatic victory over Stipe Miocic.

The mixed martial arts legend returned to the octagon early this morning in the main event of UFC 309 in New York to make the maiden defence of his heavyweight crown.

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Jon Jones made his long-awaited octagon return against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309[/caption]

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The MMA icon looked to make his first defence of the heavyweight title[/caption]

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Jones blew former champ Miocic out of the water with a sensational spinning back kick[/caption]

Many thought former two-time champion Miocic would give the Hall of Famer one of his toughest-ever tests.

But as he’s done with so many opponents over the years, he blew the veteran out of the water courtesy of a sensational third-round TKO victory.

Jones immediately put Miocic on the back foot and looked for a takedown early doors but Stipe ended up tagging him with a right hand.

Miocic, unlike most of Jones’ past opponents, wasn’t fearful of the iconic figure and let his hands go.

Jones eventually grounded the fight with a beautiful sweep and immediately looked to improve his position.

He landed nasty elbows in half-guard which made the raucous crowd wince.

Miocic tried his best to get back to his feet but found himself unable to shake the 17-stone Jones off him.

Jones rained down hellfire at every possible moment, with the elbow being his continued strike of choice.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Jon Jones of the United States of America kicks Stipe Miocic of the United States of America in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)[/caption]

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Jon Jones reacts after defeating Stipe Miocic in a UFC 309 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout, early on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)[/caption]

And the horn saved Miocic from potentially being stopped as Jones bludgeoned them into the side of his head before ref Herb Dean intervened.

Jones was all too happy to strike with his fellow legend, despite dominating him with his wrestling in the previous stanza.

Micoc was wobbled by a big left hook just before the two-minute mark but Jones opted not to follow up.

Miocic, however, cleared the cobwebs and landed two left hands in quick succession that reminded Jones he still had some fight in him.

Jones started utilising his array of kicks in the final minute and nearly took Miocic’s head off with a spinning back strike with 20 seconds of the round left.

Jones found himself circling away shortly after the restart thanks to two hard right hands from the former champion.

And he had his head snapped back a few seconds later by a big uppercut in the clinch.

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Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights Stipe Miocoic (blue gloves) in the heavyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images[/caption]

Jones took the shot well and proceeded to rock Miocic with a big right hand a few seconds later.

Miocic was hurt again but Jones opted to initiate a clinch against the fence.

The straight left from southpaw made another appearance from Jones with a minute of the round left.

It looked like a fourth round would materialise, that was until Jones folded Miocic with a crippling spinning back kick to the liver.

Jones knew the show had been closed, opting to walk away and not punish Miocic with academic strikes.

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