It was all Jon Jones from the start — with President-elect Donald Trump watching up close and personal along the cage. For Stipe Miocic, it was a tough and disappointing end to his record-setting UFC career. On Nov. 16 at UFC 309 at Madison Square Guarden, Jones used a ferocious spinning leg kick to Miocic’s mid-section that dropped the former champ to all fours, where Jones finished off Miocic for a third-round knockout at the 4-minute, 49-second mark and sent Miocic into retirement. “He just caught me in the ribs,” Miocic told UFC’s Joe Rogan in the octagon. After the fight, Miocic, 42, announced he was calling it a career and retiring. “I’m done,” said Miocic, telling the sold-out crowd at MSG. “I’m hanging ‘em up.” Forever a champion and legend. Congrats on an incredible career, @StipeMiocic pic.twitter.com/86Kh1k3fFE — UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024 Miocic’s 14-year career in the UFC ended at 20-5 but the bigger picture is a first-ballot hall of fame career and going out as arguably the greatest UFC heavyweight. He’s a two-time champion and the only heavyweight to defend the belt three consecutive times. His four total title defenses at heavyweight is also a UFC record, and his six total title fight wins is tied for the most in heavyweight history. Miocic’s 1,579 total strikes are second-most in UFC heavyweight history. Stipe Miocic announced his retirement after #UFC309 A legendary career for the former UFC heavyweight champion pic.twitter.com/ClJwvD1ayW — ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 17, 2024 In the octagon at MSG though, Miocic — who last fought more than three years ago — showed his layoff away from the octagon might have hurt as Jones (28-1) dominated from the outset. Stipe Miocic, right, punches Jon Jones during their UFC 309 fight Nov. 17 at Madison Square Garden. (Adam Hunger — The Associated Press) In Round 1, he took down Miocic 1 minute, 30 seconds in, used a variety of elbow and forearm shots and kept him on the canvas for the remainder of the period. In the final seconds, an elbow shot cut Miocic’s cheek. In Round 2, Miocic tried to attack Jones with a few lefts but he couldn’t really settle in while Jones used an assortment of jabs and leg kicks and kept scoring points. A knee kick by Jones late in the round and another spinning kick also created problems while Miocic tried to apply pressure. Jon Jones kicks Stipe Miocic during their UFC 309 title fight Nov. 17 at Madison Square Garden. (Adam Hunger — The Associated Press) In the decisive Round 3, Miocic pressed the action early but a big right hand by Jones was the best punch of the fight. Then the spinning kick to Miocic’s ribs spelled the end. “Everyone knows Stipe Miocic isn’t the biggest heavyweight but he always comes in lean and in great cardio shape,” said Jones. “He doesn’t react much getting punched in the face so our plan was to attack the body a little more. I was hoping to get him out of there in the first round but he hung in there.” Jones paid Miocic much respect after the fight: “He’s really, really good. He’s really tough and really durable. … It was like fighting against the Terminator.” Jones had the advantage in total strikes and significant strikes as he connected on 104 of 128 (total) and 95 of 119 (significant). Miocic was good on 42 of 94 total strikes and 37 of 89 significant strikes.