Jon Jones stepped away from the Octagon for more than three years. In his return bout, it took him just two minutes to reestablish his dominance.
Jones obliterated Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 285 on Saturday, winning by submission in his first bout since February 2020. With the victory, Jones (27–1, 1 NC) brings clarity to the top of the heavyweight division, seizing the previously vacant title.
“I’m a lot more comfortable in this space now,” says Jones. “I’ve really been enjoying this journey.”
Whether Gane (11–2) can recover from such a one-sided defeat is debatable.
After hitting Jones beneath the waist with an illegal kick in the opening moments of the fight, he was unable to find even a morsel of success. Once Jones dodged a punch, he brought Gane to the ground, then quickly and succinctly finished the fight with a guillotine choke.
“I locked it up twice,” says Jones. “The first time, I could hear his spine popping. I gave him a nice chiropractic adjustment. The second time, he didn’t want that same ratchet on his neck, and I put my arm on his neck and choked him out.”
Gane had the opportunity to challenge himself against one of the best to ever compete in the sport, yet he failed on the biggest stage possible.
“I didn’t expect it to go that quickly,” says Jones. “But that’s what we were looking for—the win and domination.”
With the victory, the ever-controversial Jones now sets his sights on former two-time champion Stipe Miocic. Considered to be the greatest UFC heavyweight champ, Miocic holds records for the most consecutive heavyweight title defenses at three, as well as the most successful heavyweight title defenses at four.
Jones is seeking recognition as the greatest of all time, and a convincing title defense against Miocic will further bolster that argument.
“This isn’t a job to me,” says Jones. “It is my life. It’s my identity. This is who I was intended to be in my mother’s womb. It’s my purpose and plan. This is my destiny.”
Miocic (20–4) last fought in March 2021, losing by knockout to Francis Ngannou. Ever since, he has patiently awaited his championship rematch. At 40, he will enter the fight against Jones as a sizable underdog. Jones appears to be too versatile for Miocic, especially on the wrong side of 40.
If Jones defeats him, that will leave no definitive contender for the belt—unless Ngannou returns or someone like Brock Lesnar comes back for a blockbuster title bout.
“I don’t think it will matter who I fight next,” says Jones. “As long as I continue to give glory to God, He’ll keep lifting me up and giving me the victory.”
In a career overflowing with controversy, Jones has seemingly found the path to success. A renewed focus on his career seems to be bringing out the best in him, and he is eager to make his first defense of the heavyweight belt.
“I give glory to God to glory for the ability and everything He’s blessed me with,” says Jones. “I have a great faith that I am here to be an undefeated fighter. I can’t wait for the next one, to go out there and do what I do.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
