THE UFC made its grand return to New York last weekend in what proved to be another historic visit to Madison Square Garden.
The promotion’s penultimate pay-per-view card of the year was headlined by Jon Jones‘ octagon return against former champion Stipe Miocic.
GETTYJon Jones returned to the octagon at UFC 309 to defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic[/caption]
GETTYJones folded the former two-time champ with a brutal spinning back kick in the third round[/caption]
GETTYSunSport was cage side for Jones’ return and spotted several things TV cameras didn’t show[/caption]
And the mixed martial arts legend made the maiden defence of his heavyweight crown with a sensational stoppage victory in UFC 309’s main event.
Jones, 37, stopped Miocic in the third round of their MSG melee with a stunning SPINNING BACK KICK to the body.
And he celebrated his first 265lbs title defence by channelling his inner Donald Trump, who was cagseside for the clash of legends.
SunSport had one of the best seats in the house at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’.
And we spotted several things TV cameras didn’t broadcast, which you can watch in the video above.
Jon Jones’ class act
Former pound-for-pound king Jones made time for one of his biggest fans – who he met during fight week – as he basked in the glow of his historic title defence.
Earlier in the week, he’d secured tickets for fight fan and brave bone cancer battler Keyair Christie.
And Christie was given one of the best seats in the house just behind the media section.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
SUNSPORT / CHISANGA MALATAJon Jones secured cageside tickets for brave bone cancer batter Keyair Christie earlier this week[/caption]
The pair had an emotional embrace on press row before Jones made his way backstageSUNSPORT / CHISANGA MALATA
As he made his way backstage, Jones – who was still on cloud nine, took – the time to have a conversation with the youngster.
He easily could have forgotten about young Christie, who was beaming with joy, but gave him the time of day during one of the biggest moments of his career. A classy moment from the heavyweight champ.
Click here to donate to brave Keyair Christie’s fight against osteosarcoma.
Donald Trump’s YMCA dance
President-Elect Donald Trump‘s presence was felt at UFC 309 hours before he arrived at the arena.
Scores of Secret Service agents patrolled the venue to make sure it was safe for him to enter hours before the first fight of the night.
And he blew the roof off the arena as he made his way to his cageside seat next to Dana White moments before the main card got underway.
Fans broke out into chants of “USA, USA, USA” as he strolled to the cage to Kid Rock’s ‘American Badass’.
But they cheered even louder when he treated them to his viral YMCA dance, which Jones mimicked seconds after stopping Miocic.
AFPUS President-Elect Donald Trump was in attendance at UFC 309[/caption]
SUNSPORT / CHISANGA MALATATrump, 78, broke out his viral YMCA dance shortly after entering the arena[/caption]
Michael Chandler’s emotional embrace
Michael Chandler‘s hopes of a second shot at lightweight gold, and potentially the opportunity to welcome Conor McGregor back to the octagon, went up in a plume of New York smoke.
The fan favourite suffered a unanimous decision defeat to former 155lbs champion Charles Oliveira in UFC 309’s co-main event.
He didn’t show any emotions inside the octagon after the defeat, although he was clearly a forlorn figure as he made his way past press row.
And he had a touching moment with his wife Brie, kissing her before heading off backstage.
GETTYMichael Chandler suffered a crushing decision defeat to Charles Oliveira[/caption]
SUNSPORT / CHISANGA MALATAChandler had an emotional embrace with his wife Brie before making his way backstage[/caption]
Tom Aspinall’s awkward arrival
Interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall made a subdued arrival into the VIP seats at Madison Square Garden just before the main card got underway.
But thanks to some bizarre seating arrangements from the UFC, he and dad Andy had to walk past Jones’ family to get to their seats.
Aspinall had to walk past Jones’ NFL-playing brothers Arthur and Chandler as well as his rival’s dad, who he nodded to as he walked past.
Talk about an awkward moment.
SUNSPORT / CHISANGA MALATATom Aspinall acknowledges Jon Jones’ dad as he makes his way to his seat[/caption]
Deontay Wilder looking happy
Just days after revealing his intention to fight again, former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder decided to take in some fights in person.
The Bronze Bomber had one of the best seats in the house for the card, sitting just behind veteran announcer Bruce Buffer in the VIP section.
And he was all smiles as he took in the fights, which he arrived for just before the start of the final preliminary bouts.
SUNSPORT / CHISANGA MALATAFormer WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder had one of the best seats in the house for the card[/caption]
SUNSPORT / CHISANGA MALATAJoe Rogan returns to his seat after being hounded by fans as he went to the bathroom[/caption]
Joe Rogan mobbed by fans
UFC fans have long loved veteran commentator Joe Rogan, who has been calling fights for over two decades.
And he was mobbed by scores of them as he made his way for a bathroom break between two preliminary fights.
Thankfully for the 56-year-old, the barrier and security kept the adoring fans from getting to him.
And he cut a relieved figure as he made his way back to his seat to get back to chopping it up with colleagues Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik.
SunSport’s live coverage was brought to you in association with TNT Sports Box Office.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
