UFC 309: Jon Jones ‘will not retire’ after defending undisputed heavyweight title, Stipe Miocic says ‘I’m done’
Updated 17/11/2024 at 10:03 GMT
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Jon Jones plans to continue his incredible UFC legacy, after he defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 to defend his undisputed heavyweight championship title. At Madison Square Garden in New York City, the 37-year-old stopped Miocic in the third round with a devastating spinning kick and later announced that he "will not retire". Meanwhile, Miocic revealed that his career was over. "I'm done," he said.
'I'm done. I'm hanging em up. I'm retiring. Thank God' - Miocic confirms retirement from UFC
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jon Jones dropped Stipe Miocic with a spinning kick to retain the undisputed UFC heavyweight world championship - and afterwards announced that he has no plans to retire.
The 37-year-old stopped Miocic by knockout in the third round of their battle at UFC 309, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Jones now holds a 27-1-0 record in a UFC career that has spanned 16 years, but the veteran fighter believes he still has more chapters to write after his latest triumph.
“As far as my future in the octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire,” Jones said.
“I have some conversations to have with Dana [White] and Hunter [Campbell] and we have some negotiating to do. If everything goes right, maybe we’ll give you guys what you wanna see.”
Asked whether his next fight could be Tom Aspinall or Alex Pereira, Jones added: “I know that we have options, I’m just going to see what Uncle Dana wants and what Uncle Hunter wants and you guys will hear about it soon I’m sure.”
Speaking to TNT Sports after the event, Jones admitted he was ready to hang up the gloves if his fight with Miocic did not go as planned.
"I initially said that it would depend on my performance," he said. "If I went out there and didn’t look well, then I’d have respectfully put the gloves down.
"Tonight, I felt I did pretty decent and so maybe the show goes on."
Despite Jones’ commitment to continue his extraordinary legacy, Miocic confirmed that his battle with the heavyweight champion was his last.
"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," Miocic said.
"I'm done. I'm hanging up my [gloves]. I'm retiring, thank God."
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Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 after his defeat to Jon Jones
Image credit: Getty Images
Miocic, a former two-time champion, bid farewell to the sport with a record four heavyweight title defences.
During his career, Miocic beat Daniel Cormier twice, as well as Francis Ngannou and Fabricio Werdum.
He leaves with a record of 20-4-0 after making his debut in 2011 and is widely considered one of UFC’s greatest fighters alongside Jones.
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