Jon Jones dance at UFC fight shows everything has changed

Jon Jones performed an iconic dance after brutally knocking out his opponent with a spinning heel kick, showing just how much has changed.

UFC champ Jon Jones delivered a brutal spinning back heel kick to end UFC 309. What he did next has been described as symbolic of a changing cultural mood in America.

He performed the iconic YMCA dance, which was not by chance. His moves were directed towards former US president and President-elect Donald Trump.

UFC champ Jon Jones performs the YMCA dance in the Octagon. Picture: X

He also handed Trump his title belt and thanked the President-elect after winning his match to retain the heavyweight title at UFC 309 on Saturday night (US time).

Video captured the moment between the champ and Trump, who can be seen posing with the silver and gold prize after Jones claimed victory over Stipe Miocic in the third round of their fight at Madison Square Garden, the New York Post reports.

Some say the moment is emblematic of the return of conservative politics to the mainstream, a point emphasised by Trump’s emphatic election victory which handed the Republicans control of the presidency, Senate and House of Representatives.

US President-elect Donald Trump, singer Kid Rock and US entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Picture: AFP

Several political allies of Trump were also in attendance at the fight, including entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have been asked by Trump to lead efforts to cut government inefficiency. Picture: AFP

Comedian Tim Young hailed the moment, writing on social media: “Incredible moment of respect when Jon Jones handed his UFC championship belt to President Trump. The culture is changing. I love this.”

Another fan echoed that sentiment writing: “Jon Jones did an impression of Trump’s dance and then started a ‘USA! USA! USA!’ chant. [Jones said] ‘I’m proud to be a great American champion. I’m proud to be a CHRISTIAN American champion.’ WE ARE SO BACK!”

In a victory speech, Jones, 37, thanked Jesus Christ and Trump, telling the audience, “I also wanna say a big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight.”

“Trump Check it out,” he added before breaking into some of the former and future president’s signature dance moves.

“If people at home could hear the sound in this room right now. It is so loud!” Joe Rogan told viewers of the fight broadcast as Trump entered. “It’s always loud when he comes in, but now that he’s won [the election], now that he’s the president again, oh my God!”

A campaign-style tribute video to Trump also played over the Garden jumbotron and included footage of the moment he pumped his fist into the air after surviving his first assassination attempt in October.

Trump’s high-profile appearance at MSG comes after the President-elect hosted a blow out mega-MAGA rally in the Garden last month that drew over 20,000 people.

- with the New York Post

Originally published as Jon Jones dance at UFC fight shows everything has changed