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.

Jones delivered a stunning and dominant performance in a brief amount of time. He walked out to a rousing reception from an adoring and forgiving crowd at T-Mobile Arena, taking a moment to embrace his family and fiancée. Stepping into the cage for the first time in over three years, Jones performed a cartwheel across the center, reminiscent of old times. Buffer introduced him as "the one and only," and Jones showed why those words were accurate.

Within the first minute of the fight, Jones had Gane under control, and within 30 seconds, he had him on the canvas. Jones then pinned Gane against the cage, rendering him defenseless before finishing him with a guillotine choke, reclaiming his title as champion once again.

"Man, I'm so excited," Jones said after leaping on top of the cage to celebrate, then climbing down to lift up his father and carry him around, both wearing huge smiles. "I've been working for this for a long time. A lot of people thought I wouldn't even be coming back. I've been reading it all the time: 'This dude's never coming back.' But I've been faithful to my goal."

Jones' victory in the heavyweight championship, following his impressive dominance in the light heavyweight division, is likely to strengthen his claim as the greatest fighter of all time. While some critics, myself included, have questioned his status due to multiple performance-enhancing drug violations, recent changes in the acceptable levels of some substances have shifted the debate. Additionally, his latest championship win in the sport's most prestigious weight class further cements his position in the conversation for the title of the GOAT.

In addition to the discussion around the all-time greats, there is also the ongoing debate over who is currently the best fighter. With his recent victory over Gane, Jones now holds the UFC heavyweight championship, which traditionally comes with the title of "baddest man on the planet."

Why This Case is Different

Francis Ngannou's impressive record of knockouts, including his victory over Stipe Miocic, which earned him the UFC belt, also positions him as a top contender for the title of the GOAT. However, Ngannou's recent decision loss to Gane contrasts with Jones' two-minute victory over the same opponent, further boosting Jones' credentials in the debate.

Jones' upcoming title defense against Miocic will offer another opportunity to evaluate his abilities against a former champion and compare him to Ngannou's past performances. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Jones performs against Miocic and if he can maintain his position as the UFC's heavyweight champion.

Despite his age, Jones still has a lot of potential for growth and success in the sport. However, it's essential to acknowledge the downsides of his career as well. While Jones has a remarkable ability to impress us with his skills, he has also caused us to worry about his off-the-field conduct. He has been stripped of his UFC title three times, served multiple suspensions for doping violations, and faced legal troubles, including a domestic violence charge and several arrests related to driving under the influence. Jones has repeatedly demonstrated a tendency for self-destructive behavior that has put his career in jeopardy.

Before a fight card featuring Jones, the UFC should consider changing its usual opening song from "Baba O'Reilly" to "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who. This change would serve as a reminder to fans who have been repeatedly let down by Jones' promises of reform and transformation that they should not be fooled again. By acknowledging Jones' past behavior, the UFC can help ensure that fans approach his fights with a more realistic understanding of the athlete and his potential challenges.