Stipe Miocic is returning to the Octagon after almost 4 years away for a fight against the legendary Jon Jones … in front of a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden that could include President-elect Donald Trump!

With the UFC’s heavyweight title on the line … we asked 42-year-old Miocic whether he’d be down for 45 (& soon-to-be 47) to play Dana White for a night, and wrapping the belt around his waist if he defeat Bones.

“I’m not against it,” Stipe responded, saying, “That’d be kinda cool to have a president do it. President-elect.”

It lines up with what Michael Chandler, who is also on the card fighting Charles Oliveira in the co-main event, told us on Thursday … saying DJT told him he’d be at UFC 309 if he won the presidential election.

Of course, President Trump won by a landslide, taking not only the Electoral College (which determines the winner), but also the popular vote.

FYI, Miocic is a blue-collar guy from Ohio (a solidly red state) — but he’s not overly political.

Stipe, however, has occasionally commented on Trump in the past … including when DJT was nearly killed in an assassination attempt in Butler, PA, on July 13.

If Trump makes a cameo at the World’s Most Famous Arena, it won’t be the first time he’s shown up this year to support his close friend Dana’s business.