Jon Jones hands belt and BOWS to Donald Trump as US President elect steals the show at UFC 309 in New York
DONALD TRUMP was the main attraction in New York last night after the US President elect turned up to watch UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.
And MMA superstar Jon Jones even handed his UFC championship belt to the 78-year-old.
https://twitter.com/margomartin/status/1858037538243383784Jones, who created yet more history with an emphatic stoppage victory over Stipe Miocic, BOWED to the soon-to-be president who was sat right by the octagon in New York.
And the 37-year-old fighter admitted that Trump’s presence had even made him nervous for the event.
He said: “‘The nerves you added to this event. I was so nervous. I’m glad I impressed you”.
Trump congratulated Jones with a handshake after his victory in his home state.
The 45th US President was seen at the event alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Elon Musk and Dana White.
And some fans had joked that Elon Musk was scrolling through his app X at the event, “laughing at memes” instead of watching the breathtaking action unfolding in front of him.
Trump had been greeted to a roaring standing ovation from fans inside MSG after his election victory over Kamala Harris.
While the security-surrounded politician also had some time to bust a few moves to YMCA inside the arena.
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Footage of Trump’s dancing spread like wildfire on social media and received a slew of comments from fans.
One wrote on X: How could anyone hate this man?
Another said: “Trump is the GOAT.”
And another said: “How the hell can you not love this man?
Trump is a longtime fan of the UFC and even helped the promotion back in the early 2000s when they were struggling to have venues host them.
And UFC supremo Dana White admits he feels forever indebted to the business mogul, who he considers to be a good friend.
He told Tucker Carlson: “This guy has been so good to me it’s unexplainable.
“He’s been a very good friend to me since the day I met him.
“When we bought this company it had such a bad stigma attached to it and the sport that we couldn’t even get into venues, they didn’t want us.
“Donald Trump saw that this thing could possibly be big, plus he’s a sports guy who loves sports, and he offered us to come do the event at the Trump Taj Mahal at Atlantic City.
“He cut us a very fair deal and we went down there and did two events with him where he showed up for the first fight and stayed until the last fight.
“Imagine back then; Trump brand is way up, UFC brand is way down, but he took us in and he was great.”
Despite Trump getting most of the attention at the event, it was Jones who was the real winner on the night.
The mixed martial arts legend returned to the octagon early this morning in the main event of UFC 309 to make the maiden defence of his heavyweight crown.
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 topped off by 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.”