American Jon Jones made a triumphant return to the UFC after three years to defeat Ciryl Gane enroute winning the heavyweight title at in Las Vegas.
The 35-year-old was making his debut at heavyweight but needed only two minutes to become a two-weight UFC champion in UFC 285.
Jones forced France’s Gane to tap with a guillotine choke to stake his claim as MMA’s greatest fighter.
Speaking after the win, Jones referenced his “GOAT” (greatest of all time) status with a “Baa” shout.
He has now won every single encounter of the 16 title fights he has competed in in the UFC – although his 2017 win over Daniel Cormier was overturned to a no-contest.
Jones joins an elite class of fighters who have won UFC titles at two weight divisions, including Conor McGregor and his bitter rival Cormier.
Two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was cageside watching the contest, and Jones immediately called out the former title holder.
Jones’ last appearance in the octagon was in February 2020 when he edged Dominick Reyes on points to successfully defend his light-heavyweight title.
At that time, Jones’ motivation was questioned after a lacklustre performance but the fire was clearly back in the history maker as he walked to the cage.
Gane emerged ringside first in his second attempt at becoming a heavyweight world champion, but his reception was nothing compared to the crowd’s reaction to Jones’ return.
“The champ is here” played out over the speakers for Jones’s entrance as the man who could not be stopped at light-heavyweight set his sights on the heavyweight division.
It marks the 27th win of Jones’ remarkable career, which includes just one defeat – a controversial disqualification to Matt Hammill in 2009 – and that no-contest against Cormer in 2017.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Alexa Grasso upset the odds to dethrone Valentina Shevchenko and claim the flyweight title.
In beating Shevchenko, 29-year-old Grasso became Mexico’s first female UFC champion.
An ill-judged spinning back-kick from Shevchenko in the fourth round allowed Grasso to take her back and submit the defending champion with a rear-naked choke.
Emotion poured out of Grasso once Shevchenko tapped, after seven years in the UFC working to become a champion.