CNN
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Jon Jones gained the UFC heavyweight title in some type on Saturday, defeating France’s Ciryl Gane with a first-round submission following a three-year absence and a step up in weight division.
However Jones’ lengthy sabbatical and physique transformation appeared nearly irrelevant as soon as he was within the Octagon, as he defeated Gane with a guillotine choke after simply two minutes and 4 seconds in Las Vegas.
The 35-year-old American is now a two-weight UFC champion with 27 UFC wins to his title and stays undefeated since 2009, underlining his credentials to be considered the best MMA fighter of all time.
Jones has remodeled his physique over the past three years, weighing in at 248lbs for Saturday’s primary occasion, in comparison with the 204lbs he weighed for his final combat in 2020.
“After I was a lightweight heavyweight, individuals would say Jon is so much stronger than what he seems to be,” Jones informed reporters after the combat.
“Now that I’ve been powerlifting and dwelling a martial arts life-style, I actually really consider I’m the strongest heavyweight within the heavyweight division. A few of my greatest performances are going to be coming within the subsequent few years.”
Already in his post-fight press convention, Jones was waiting for his subsequent bout towards two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
“My entire world goes to be centered on him,” Jones mentioned. “That is the largest alternative in my life to beat the heavyweight GOAT and I’m going to present it every thing I’ve obtained.”
Within the co-main occasion, in the meantime, Alexa Grasso secured a shock victory over Valentina Shevchenko, who had not misplaced a combat since 2017, within the fourth spherical to turn out to be Mexico’s first ever feminine UFC champion.