Jones submits Gane to win UFC heavyweight title in return

UFC fighter Jon Jones. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Jones submits Ciryl Gane to win UFC heavyweight title in return

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/5/23

Jon Jones made a miraculous return to the UFC on Saturday night, submitting Ciryl Gane to win the heavyweight title.

Winning your first fight back at UFC 285 is impressive. But dodging the dreaded "Drake Curse" is priceless.

The award-winning musician is great at making hits, but he's become notorious for his poor sports bets. Ahead of Saturday's fight, Drake revealed on his Instagram that he had placed $500K in bets on Jones, including two separate $250K wagers on Jones to win by submission and KO.

The curse seemed broken in Super Bowl LVII after Drake put down an estimated $965K, including a $700K bet, on the Kansas City Chiefs to win. However, the curse again reared its ugly head over the weekend when Tommy Furry defeated Jake Paul, who Drake had placed a $400K bet on to win.

Luckily for Jones, Drake didn't impact the result this time.

Fighting for the first time in 1,120 days, Jones admitted to some rust but eventually gained the advantage over Gane, submitting him in the first round.

THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME IS NOW THE HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMP

JON JONES SUBMITS CIRYL GANE!! #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/JOiAnweVJ5
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023

"I had this strong conviction that if I were to get him down to the ground, the fight would be in my area," Jones told Joe Rogan. "I've been wrestling since I was 12 years old. And I feel stronger and more comfortable, especially on the ground than ever."

According to ESPN Stats and Info, Jones became only the third fighter in UFC history to fight for a title following a three-year absence, joining Georges St. Pierre (won) and Dominick Cruz (lost).

Jones is also only the eighth fighter in UFC history to win two titles in two divisions and the third to win both the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles, joining UFC Hall of Famers Randy Couture and Daniel Cormier.

After relinquishing the light heavyweight title in 2020, there was uncertainty about whether Jones would fight again. Now, he's champion again, this time in the heavyweight division, and he's already got his eye on his next opponent.

"One thing I know about the UFC is we give the fans what they want to see - Stipe Miocic, I hope you're training my guy," Jones said. "You're the greatest heavyweight of all time, and that's what I want. I want you. Real bad."

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