An era of UFC is ending in New York in front of the eyes of the incoming US President Donald Trump: Stipe Miocic is retiring immediately after a defeat to heavyweight champ Jon Jones.
An era of martial arts has come to an end in New York’s Madison Square Garden in front of the future US President Donald Trump.
At the end of the UFC 309 show, former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic announced his retirement after losing to the now reigning superstar Jon Jones: “I’m done. I quit,” announced the 42-year-old.
UFC 309: Jon Jones defeats Stipe Miocic
The Croatian-born MMA fighter ruled as heavyweight champion for years between 2016 and 2021: He won it from Fabricio Werdum in 2016 and defended it for two years before suffering a surprise knockout loss to Daniel Cormier in 2018.
A year later, Miocic regained the title against Cormier and finally emerged victorious in a major trilogy of fights against his great rival in the summer. In March 2021, Francis Ngannou – now world-famous for his boxing match against Tyson Fury – finally dethroned Miocic for good. Now Miocic has lost to Jones by technical knockout in round three and obviously sees his story in the Octagon as over.
UFC boss Dana White paid tribute to Miocic on his departure: “He is one of the greatest heavyweights in history,” ESPN quotes him as saying. There are also many bows for the giant from Euclid in Ohio in the social media: “The UFC has just lost a legend,” said one fan.
Trump was among the prominent guests at the big fight, as were his close associate billionaire Elon Musk and his designated health minister Robert Kennedy Jr. Also in attendance were music stars Kid Rock and Anthony Kiedis, singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
For Trump, UFC events are a home game: unlike other sports, many fighters, fans and even Boss White are partial to him. White – whose business relationship with Trump goes back a long way – was also one of the speakers at the Republican Party Convention before the election.
The scandal-ridden fighter Jones was also pleased about Trump’s presence and gave the Republican election winner a “big, big thank you” and also handed him his title belt in the meantime.