Jon Jones cements his GOAT status by becoming the UFC heavyweight champion
We just witnessed greatness in the flesh.
It's official: Jon Jones is now a two-division UFC champion.
The Hall of Famer has defeated Ciryl Gane to capture the heavyweight belt at UFC 285, securing the victory via submission in the very first round.
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME IS NOW THE HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMP 🏆
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
JON JONES SUBMITS CIRYL GANE!! #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/JOiAnweVJ5
Despite never competing at heavyweight before, and stacking on a huge amount of weight during his lengthy time off, Jones looked in incredible shape.
And after almost three years away from the sport, Jones' biblical second coming was everything we thought it'd be.
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In his return to the octagon at UFC 285, he produced a clinic against Gane, dominating the Frenchman both on the feet before moving to the canvas.
Jon Jones has WON it. Unbelievable. Too easy. #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/5RWe9m4QW3
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 5, 2023
From the very first second, he controlled the tempo of the bout, constantly putting pressure on Gane with his striking.
And barely half-way into the first round, Jones decided enough was enough and chose to end the fight in devastating fashion.
Taking Gane down with relative ease, he quickly moved into full mount and sunk in a guillotine choke.
Former interim champion Gane, who was made to look like a novice inside the cage, tapped out quickly.
“Jones said all week he felt this was a glaring mismatch and backed up all those words with action,” Jon Anik said in commentary.
“It did not take him long.”
Joe Rogan added: “Nobody has done that to Ciryl Gane before.
“He took no punishment other than a kick to the nuts and he absolutely dominated him.”
Besides an illegal low blow in the opening spell, Jones took no punishment.
Speaking after the bout, he expressed his desire to fight former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic next.
"You guys want to see me beat up Stipe?" Jones asked the crowd inside Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.
The greatest of all-time? Without doubt.
Max Sherry