MMA fighter Jon ‘Bones’ Jones sent fans into a frenzy as he presented his UFC championship belt to Donald Trump.
The heavyweight fighter bowed down to the president-elect moments after his win over Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden.
Trump had been expected at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena,’ where he recently held a blockbuster campaign rally ahead of his November 5 electoral victory.
Jones admitted the president-elect’s presence in the crowd helped turn up the heat ahead of the clash.
‘The nerves you added to this event,’ he laughed as the two chatted cageside. ‘I was so nervous. I’m glad I impressed you.’
Moments before, the champion had handed over his iconic belt to a beaming Trump, who offered him a handshake in return to congratulate him on his knockout win.
Miocic put on a better fight than most expected in the clash of titans.
However, Jones landed a spinning back kick to Miocic’s rib cage at 4:29 in the third round that spelled the beginning of the end for the former champion.
The most decorated UFC heavyweight folded from the body shot as Jones pounced on him near the fence.
Referee Herb Dean then jumped in to separate the two, declaring Jones the winner and defending champion.
Jones and Miocic were originally scheduled to headline last year’s Madison Square Garden event at UFC 295 before Jones pulled out with a shoulder injury.
It took 371 days for both men to finally have the legacy fight for heavyweight gold in the Big Apple.
Trump’s appearance only added to the drama of the occasion.
The president-elect made a grand entrance at Madison Square Garden for UFC 309 alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Elon Musk and, of course, Dana White.
He walked out to a roaring standing ovation just ahead of the start of the UFC pay-per-view card.
Trump and White headed to their cageside seats to Kid Rock’s ‘American Bad Ass’.
