UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones practiced the kick that knocked out Stipe Miocic on a social media influencer days before executing it at UFC 309.
Jon Jones‘ spinning back kick he utilized against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 was a central part of his fight preparation. During fight week, he was caught on film practicing it on influencer Adin Ross.
Jones put on a clinic in his UFC 309 return to the Octagon against the former heavyweight titleholder Miocic. In his first UFC heavyweight title defense, Jones collapsed Miocic with a spinning back-kick to the body that led to the knockout finish.
Jones showed several dimensions of his game against Miocic at UFC 309. He smothered Miocic with his wrestling, outpointed him on the feet, and eventually wore down the heavyweight great with a deep arsenal of strikes.
At the UFC 309 post-fight press conference, Jones revealed that the spinning back kick landed on Miocic was something he’d practiced for months before the event. He practiced it for weekly three-hour sessions with his Taekwondo coach leading up to UFC 309 and eventually made it a significant part of his game plan.
Jon Jones sent influencer Adin Ross flying with a spinning back kick used vs. Stipe Miocic
Just days before UFC 309, Jones decided to practice the technique against Ross, one of the internet’s biggest stars. The power that Jones generated as Ross was holding pads was enough for the influencer to collapse on the practice mat.
Jon Jones finished Stipe with the same kick he dropped Adin Ross with on fight week 💀 pic.twitter.com/UZ7tyhBaSD
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) November 17, 2024
Luckily, Ross didn’t suffer any significant injury during the session with Jones, but he likely dealt with some soreness afterward. Just hours later, Jones utilized the same technique to earn one of the most brutal finishes of his career against Miocic.
The knockout was Jones’ first TKO/KO finish since his win over Alexander Gustafsson in their UFC 232 rematch. After multiple reigns as the UFC light heavyweight champion, Jones vacated the belt in 2020 to pursue a full-time move to heavyweight.
So far, things have turned out impeccably for Jones at heavyweight, after defeating Ciryl Gane for the vacant title at UFC 285. Next, he faces a potential challenge from interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall after UFC 309.
Jon Jones has two big-money fights on the table after UFC 309
After Jones retained the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 309, Dana White remained adamant that Aspinall is next to unify the belts. Aspinall weighed in as the UFC 309 backup fighter after successfully defending the interim belt at UFC 304 against Curtis Blaydes.
Jones is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time after a legendary run in the Octagon. During his promotional tenure, he’s taken out a slew of legends, including UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, and Rashad Evans.
13 years after becoming the UFC’s youngest champion, Jones remains at the peak of his power inside the Octagon. After initially teasing retirement, the UFC heavyweight champion could face Aspinall and superstar Alex Pereira before he hangs up the gloves.
Jones, a voracious fight game planner, took advantage of rigorous training sessions to finish Miocic at UFC 309. As for Ross, he garners some bragging rights for being part of one of Jones’ most iconic moments.
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