The ascension of Jon Jones ascension to the heavyweight champion of the world was a foregone conclusion. His victory over Ciryl Gane in just 2 minutes and 4 seconds on Saturday in Las Vegas to claim the vacant UFC belt was the culmination of a prophecy. From the beginning of his career almost 15 years ago, it was clear that Jones was too much for the light heavyweight division to handle.
Jones’ dominance was evident from the moment he stepped into the Octagon, effortlessly tossing around opponents who were former champions and future Hall of Famers. His size and wingspan made him appear larger than life, and his fights often seemed like a mismatch between athletes from different weight classes.
However, at UFC 285, Jones faced an opponent who was his own size, or at least very close to it. He weighed in at 248 pounds, just half a pound heavier than Gane, a career-long heavyweight. After three years away from the sport, Jones had returned to the cage, 43 pounds heavier than when he had last fought at 205 pounds. It was as if he had evolved into a new fighter.
Jon Jones Heavyweight Return
Despite his evolution to a heavyweight fighter, one aspect of Jon Jones has remained constant. His immense talent and ability to thrive in big moments are not limited to his physical stature but extend to his metaphorical presence in the sport. Jones’ swagger has always been enough to dominate the entire sport, and in his return to the Octagon, he did not shy away from another monumental moment.
