Mixed Martial Arts-Jones submits Gane to claim UFC heavyweight crown

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Jon Jones scored a sensational first-round submission win over top-ranked Ciryl Gane to claim the vacant UFC heavyweight title at UFC 285 on Saturday, re-staking his claim to be the greatest fighter of all time after an emphatic return to the octagon.

Jones, a former champion light heavyweight, fought last in 2020. Jones moved up a weight division against Gane, and took less than three seconds to make it the eighth UFC fighter to earn titles in two different divisions.

American Jones, 35 years old, won a fight with Gane at 1:04 into the second round. Gane was then forced to the ground by Gane using a guillotine choke. Gane released the choke and the Frenchman tried to quit the fight at 2:04.

Jones defeated Francis Ngannou to win the belt. He left the UFC in January and became a free agent.

Mexico’s Alexa Gransso defeated eight-time defending champion Valentina Shchenko in a spectacular upset. She won the title of women’s flyweight with a four-round submission.

A Shevchenko spin kick was a mistake that allowed Grasso, who expertly took Shevchenko’s back and locked in a rear naked choke. This ended one of UFC’s most dominating titles.

(Reporting from Bengaluru by Hritika Sharm; Editing done by Simon Cameron-Moore