JON JONES created yet more history with an emphatic stoppage 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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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, Jones blew the veteran out of the water courtesy of a sensational third-round TKO victory courtesy of an insane spinning back kick.
After having his hand raised, Jones revealed he WON’T be retiring from the sport, something he’s hinted at for the last year.
He said: “As far as my future in the octagon, I decided that maybe I will not retire. I know that we have options.
Jones put the pressure on from the get-go and looked for a takedown early doors, although he ended up being tagged with a right hand.
Miocic, unlike most of Jones’ past opponents, wasn’t fearful of the iconic figure and let his hands go.
But he found himself with his back on the canvas following a beautiful sweep from Jones, who immediately looked to improve his position.
Jones then proceeded to land 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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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 after the restart, 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 reminded Jones he still had some dog left in him with two left hands in quick succession.
Jones started utilising his array of kicks in the final minute and nearly took Miocic’s head off with a spinning back kick 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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Jones took the shot well and proceeded to rock Miocic with a big right hand of his own 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 until Jones folded Miocic with a crippling spinning back kick to the liver.
Miocic was left debilitated by the beautifully timed strike, which blew the roof of MSG.
Jones knew the show had been closed, opting to walk away and not punish Miocic with academic strikes.
Walk away, however, is something a 42-year-old Miocic did just minutes after picking himself off the canvas.
He told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview: “I’m done. I’m hanging ’em up.”
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