Jon Jones ended a three-year sabbatical from the UFC with a convincing victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.
Thought-about one of many biggest fighters within the UFC, Jones moved as much as the best weight class upon his return, and it took him lower than a minute within the first spherical to take Gane to the mat.
The 35-year-old gained with a guillotine choke at 2:04 to seal the win.
“Once I was a lightweight heavyweight, individuals mentioned Jon was quite a bit stronger than he appeared,” Jones mentioned.
“Now that I have been in powerlifting and residing a martial arts life-style, I actually consider I am the strongest heavyweight within the heavyweight division. A few of my finest performances are going to come back within the subsequent years.”
It was Jones’ first battle in three years, his first within the heavyweight division, and he took his time stepping into the octagon, taking part in to a sold-out crowd.
The previous mild heavyweight champion says it is vital to ensure he deserves the title of biggest of all time.
With fellow GOAT Tom Brady watching, Jones did simply that. Brady flew the day of the battle from Florida and frolicked with Jones’ brother, Las Vegas Raiders defensive finish Chandler Jones.
“There isn’t any doubt that Jon Jones is particular, he is the GOAT. He is undefeated. He is fought all the highest opponents. Coping with him is like coping with an artist,” Dana White mentioned.
“I do not know what is going on to occur subsequent. I am glad we bought to see what we noticed tonight. I am a giant proponent of ring rust. We did not see any ring rust tonight. He went on the market and did it like nothing. He is a freak of nature, and he is the most effective ever.”
Valentina Shevchenko was defeated by Alexa Grasso within the co-main occasion
“I’ll end Miocic”
There have been query marks over whether or not the break would have an effect on Jones. His final battle was on February 8, 2020 when he beat Dominick Reyes by unanimous choice.
“I needed to present up and put (Gane) down. I have been wrestling since I used to be 12. I really feel stronger than ever. As soon as I bought it in my palms, I do know I may take the management,” Jones added.
Jones is now undefeated in 19 fights and appears as much as Stipe Miocic subsequent, who’s the second contender and whom Jones has known as the best heavyweight of all time.
Actor Jake Gyllenhaal was filming a remake of the 1989 movie Highway Home
White mentioned the battle will occur however did not know when it will occur, however Jones mentioned he was absolutely targeted on beating Miocic.
“My complete world goes to be targeted on him. That is the most important alternative of my life, beating the heavyweight GOAT. I will give him all the things I’ve bought. I am not simply going to beat Stipe Miocic, I will end off Stipe Miocic!
Frenchman Gane, 32, was the highest heavyweight contender however fell to 11-2.
“This one is so painful,” Gane mentioned. “This one is a misplaced victory. So now it is the previous, and extra importantly, what I see is sooner or later. I am going straight again to the fitness center.”
Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor watched the motion in Las Vegas
Within the girls’s bout co-main occasion, Alexa Grasso defeated champion Valentina Shevchenko within the fourth spherical to develop into Mexico’s third champion.
Shevchenko mentioned she needed a rematch, however White wasn’t positive that may occur.
Middleweight Bo Nickal, 27, gained in his UFC debut, submitting Jamie Pickett, 34 by arm triangle within the first spherical.
Nickal gained three NCAA wrestling championships at Penn State and went 4-0 general.
Actor Jake Gyllenhaal was additionally in motion, with scenes from the 1989 movie remake Highway Home shot between motion within the octagon, as Conor McGregor appeared on.
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