Jon Jones is back on top of the mountain.
In his first UFC fight in three years, Jones moved up a weight class and won the heavyweight title with a first-round submission to Ciryl Gane. He won with a guillotine choke at 2:04 to put a dramatic cap on UFC 285 in Las Vegas.
«I’m very excited,» Jones said. “I’ve been working on this for a long time. Many people thought that he was not going to return. I have been faithful to my objective, faithful to my mission”.
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Jon Jones reacts after his victory over Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title fight on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Jon Jones fights Ciryl Gane for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at T-Mobile Arena on March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Jones’ last fight was on February 8, 2020 against Dominick Reyes, and he took the time to prepare for a new weight class and a new generation of fighters. He believed the preparation time was worth it, and he hired a team in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to get in top shape.
«I had to show up and get (Gane) down to the ground,» Jones said. «I’ve been wrestling since I was 12 years old. I feel stronger than ever. Once I got my hands on it, I know I could take control.»
UFC president Dana White put Jones’ victory simply: «Ciryl Gane is a monster. Jon Jones showed up and treated him like a child.»
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Jon Jones celebrates after defeating Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title fight on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Jon Jones leaves the Octagon after the UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title fight on March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Jones’ unbeaten streak was extended to 19 and improved to 27-1 with a no contest. He won a record 13 title fights at light heavyweight. He said after the fight that he would like to face Stipe Miocic next. White said the fight will take place, but it’s unclear when or where.
Gane fell to 11-2 with the loss.
«This is so painful,» he said. «This is a lost win. So now this is over, and mostly because of what I see in the future. I’m going straight back to the gym.»
Jon Jones’ unbeaten streak was extended to 19 after he won the heavyweight championship fight on March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Tom Brady, Mike Evans and Conor McGregor were also in the house for the fight.
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Jake Gyllenhaal appeared and filmed scenes for the «Road House» reboot.
Associated Press contributed to this report.