Jon Jones makes triumphant return to UFC, captures heavyweight title with win over Ciryl Gane

Jon Jones is back on the mountaintop.

In his first UFC fight in three years, Jones moved up a weight class to win the heavyweight title with a first-round submission to Ciryl Gane. He won by guillotine choke at 2:04 to set a dramatic cap at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

“I’m so excited,” Jones said. “I worked for this for a long time. A lot of people thought I wouldn’t come back. I stayed true to my purpose, true to my mission.”

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Jon Jones will fight 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 took place on February 8, 2020, against Dominick Reyes, and he took the necessary time to prepare for a new weight class and a new crop of fighters. He believed the prep time was worth it and hired a team in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to get into optimal shape.

“I had to show up and get (Gane) on the ground,” said Jones. “I’ve been wrestling since I was 12. I feel stronger than ever. Once I had it in my hands I knew I could take control.”

UFC president Dana White put Jones’ win simply: “Ciryl Gane is a monster. Jon Jones showed up and treated him like a kid.”

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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’ undefeated streak was extended to 19 and he improved to 27-1 with one no contest. He won a record 13 light heavyweight title fights. He said after the fight that he would like to play Stipe Miocic next. White said the fight will take place, but it’s unclear when and where.

Gane fell to 11-2 with the loss.

“This one is so painful,” he said. “This one is a lost win. So now this is over, and most of all for what I see is in the future. I’m going straight back to the gym.”

Jon Jones’ undefeated 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 showed up and he shot scenes for the “Road House” reboot.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.