United States president-elect Donald Trump was cage-side to celebrate with Jon Jones after his knockout victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
Trump is often in attendance when UFC comes to New York and less than two weeks after his presidential election victory over Kamala Harris, was in attendance at the city’s famed Madison Square Garden in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The president walked out to a rousing ovation in front of over 20,000 people, joined by Elon Must and Robert Kennedy Jr, the two men picked to lead the Department of Government Efficiency and the Department of Health and Human Services respectively in his incoming administration.
Fighting for the first time in almost 18 months, Jones sent Miocic into retirement with a stunning victory to defend his heavyweight title, landing a vicious back kick to the ribs before ending the contest in the third round with a series of blows to the head.
UFC has shared close ties with the Trump administration over the years and Saturday night was no different, with fighters greeting him throughout the night.
Just moments after the main event’s devastating finish with his opponent still prone on the mat, Jones celebrated by imitating the president’s dance sequence in the centre of the ring.
Grabbing the microphone, Jones then personally thanked Trump for attending, telling the crowd: ‘I want to give a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump being here tonight,’ he said. ‘I’m proud to be an American champion’.
The two then shared another moment as ‘Bones’ handed his heavyweight title to the 78-year-old, sharing more words with him before shaking hands.
Fight week had been dominated by Jones’ refusal to entertain the idea of fighting Tom Aspinall next, with the Manchester fighter holding the ‘interim’ heavyweight title.
But with Aspinall in the crowd, Jones hinted that fight could now be next.
‘As far as my future in the octagon [is concerned],’ Jones began. ‘I decided that maybe I will not retire
I have some conversations to have with Dana and Hunter, and we have some negotiating to do, and, if everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you guys what you want to see.’
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