Saturday’s UFC 285 Main Event featured the return of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. Jones’ return was at a different weight class, competing at Heavyweight for the first time in his career.
His return came against perennial Heavyweight challenger Ciryl Gane, who had previously competed for the title back in January of 2022. Some thought that Jones, who was the naturally smaller man would have issues with the size of Gane. That was not the case, as Jones made it look easy on Saturday night.
Jones took down Gane easily in the first round, eventually finding a guillotine choke for a first-round finish to become the Heavyweight Champion of the world.
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME IS NOW THE HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMP 🏆
JON JONES SUBMITS CIRYL GANE!! #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/JOiAnweVJ5
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
The sports world took notice of the insane performance and praised him for making the fight look incredibly easy.
Pretty good way to forget about Francis Ngannou. Jon Jones did UFC a huge favor tonight by winning that easily.
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 5, 2023
Dominant. @JonnyBones #UFC285
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 5, 2023
He’s really the best to ever do it. Debate is closed. Jon Jones is really him!
— Michael Carter-Willi (@mcarterwilliams) March 5, 2023
Jon Jonessssssss 🐐 🐐. STOP PLAYINGGGGG WITH HIMMMM!!!
— TY Hilton (@TYHilton13) March 5, 2023
No discussion Jon Jones!!!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) March 5, 2023
After the win, Jones quickly moved his sights toward former Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic, essentially naming him as his next fight.
“Y’all want to see me beat up Stipe,” said Jones to the fans and Miocic who was in attendance. “One thing I know about the UFC. We give out fans what they want to see. Stipe Miocic, I hope you are training my guy, you are the greatest Heavyweight of all time. And that is what I want.”
Stipe next!? 👀@JonnyBones already has his sights set on his first heavyweight title defense #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/DUATmTO99u
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
This win propels Jones’ professional record in MMA to 27-1. His only loss also comes with a huge asterisk, losing via disqualification from an illegal elbow that he landed.
Beating Gane also puts Jon Jones in an extremely exclusive class of fighters. He is just the ninth UFC fighter to win a championship in two different weight classes.
Jones has obviously had his issues outside the cage, whether it is failed drug tests or criminal offenses. That being said, he is undoubtedly one of the best fighters on the planet, and he proved that in a big way on Saturday night.
[UFC on Twitter] Photo Credit: ESPN+
