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

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Jon Jones is back on the mountaintop.

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

"I'm so excited," Jones said. "I've been working for this for a long time. A lot of people thought I wasn't coming back. I've been faithful to my goal, 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 bout, 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 came on Feb. 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 time away preparing was worth it and hired a team in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to get into optimal 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 him in my hands, I know 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 bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP