Jones sent Cyrillic Gane first round to win the vacant heavyweight title UFC 285 Saturday.
Considered by many to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Jones was fighting for the first time in three years and needed just two minutes and four seconds to seal the most sensational turns.
The American, whose career has been marred by multiple failed drug tests and clashes with the law, is a former two-time light heavyweight champion, and conversations about transitioning to heavyweight first began 10 years ago. As Jones and Gane clashed for the title vacated by Francis Ngannou in January, the move finally took place Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
With his only previous defeat at Ngannou’s hands last year, Gane immediately kicked Jones in the groin, which took some time to heal as well.
When the action resumed, Jones took the center of the ring and pressed forward. Gane, 32, was soon crossed with a left-handed cross and Jones was quick to take the Frenchman back.
He dragged the 35-year-old former interim champion to the canvas, and although Gane was able to stand, he was soon knocked down again.
Jones was then locked in a guillotine shock with his opponent, and Gane was only able to resist for too long before he was able to get out.
Gane reacts after failing again in his second bid to become UFC heavyweight champion
(Getty Images)
Using his in-ring interview after the main event, Jones called Stipe Miocic, widely regarded as the world’s greatest heavyweight. UFC the past – and who’s at ringside for UFC 285.
In 2011, Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history at the age of 23, and while “Bones” continues to beat multiple champions past and future, he has recorded 15 title fight wins – the highest number ever in the promotion. However, he was removed from the light-heavyweight title twice and once from the provisional belt, respectively, due to two failed drug tests and an arrest. Jones reclaimed the gold in 2018, most recently retaining the belt in a controversial win against Dominick Reyes in February 2020.
At the joint main event of UFC 285, Alexa Grasso taken aback Valentina Shevchenko with a fourth-round submission to win the women’s lightweight title and inflict her opponent’s first defeat in six years.
With this result, Grasso became the first female Mexican champion in UFC history. He also became the third active Mexican champion with Brandon Moreno, who currently holds the men’s lightweight belt, and Yair Rodriguez, the interim men’s featherweight champion.
Full UFC 285 results
Alexa Grasso celebrates winning women’s lightweight championship
(Getty Images)
main board
Jon Jones def. Ciryl Gane via first-round submission (guillotine shock, 2:04)
Alexa Grasso def. Valentina Shevchenko (C), with fourth round submission (rear nake choke, 4:43)
Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Geoff Neal with third-round submission (rear bare choke, 4:17)
Mateusz Gamrot def. Jalin Turner by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Bo Nickal def. Jamie Pickett with first-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 2:54)
preliminary rounds
Cody Garbrandt def. Trevin Jones unanimously (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Dricus Du Plessis def. Derek Brunson via second-round technical knockout (towel thrown, 4:59)
Amanda Ribas def. Viviane Araujo unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Marc-Andre Barriault def. Julian Marquez by second-round TKO (kick, 4:12)
early qualifying rounds
Ian Machado Garry defender. Song Kenan via third-round technical knockout (strikes, 4:22)
Cameron Saiman def. Leomana Martinez by majority decision (29-26, 28-27, 28-28)
Tabatha Ricci def. Jessica Penne, via second-round submission (crossbar, 2:14)
Farid Basharat def. Da’Mon Blackshear unanimously (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Loik Radzhabov def. Esteban Ribovics unanimously (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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