Jon Jones returns to win UFC heavyweight title in first round | MMA News

Jon Jones ended his three-year sabbatical from the UFC with a win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

Considered one of the UFC’s greatest fighters, Jones had moved up a weight class in his return, and took less than a minute into the first round to take Gane to the mat.

The 35-year-old won with a guillotine choke in 2:04 to seal the victory.

“I am very excited. I have been working on this for a long time. Many people thought that I would never return. I am committed to my goal, committed to my mission,” he said.

It was Jones’ first fight in three years, his first in the heavyweight division, and he took his time entering the octagon, playing to sold-out crowds.

The former light heavyweight champion said it was important to convince himself that he deserved the biggest mantle.

With another GOAT, Tom Brady, watching on, Jones did just that. Brady flew in the day of the fight from Florida and spent time with Jones’ brother, Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Chandler Jones.

“(Jones) is really weird,” Dana White said, “and he’s the best.”

‘I know I’m in control’

There are question marks over whether the hiatus will affect Jones. His last fight was on February 8, 2020 when he defeated Dominick Reyes by unanimous decision.

“I had to show up and get (Gane) down to the ground. I’ve been wrestling since I was 12 years old. I felt stronger than ever. Once I got him in my arms, I knew I was in control,” Jones said.

Jones is now undefeated in 19 fights and is looking for the next Stipe Miocic, who is the second-ranked contender and who Jones calls the greatest heavyweight.

White says that war will happen, but he does not know when it will happen.

France’s Gane, 32, is the top-ranked heavyweight contender but has dropped to 11-2.

“It’s very painful,” Gane said. “It’s a win or a loss. So now it’s in the past, and most importantly, for what I see in the future. I’ll be right back in the gym.”

In the women’s co-main event, Alexa Grasso knocked out champion Valentina Shevchenko in the fourth round to become Mexico’s third champion.

Shevchenko said she wants a rematch, but White isn’t sure if that will happen.

Middleweight Bo Nickal, 27, won in his UFC debut, submitting Jamie Pickett, 34 with an arm triangle in the first round.

Nickal won three NCAA wrestling championships at Penn State and moved to 4-0 overall.

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is also in action, with a remake scene from the 1989 film Road House shot in between the action in the octagon, while Conor McGregor watches.