2023 year in review video: Jon Jones returns to claim heavyweight throne

MMA Junkie Staff

Wed, Dec 27, 2023, 1:00 PM·14 min read

With 2023 coming to a close, “Spinning Back Clique” looked back at the biggest stories of the year in mixed martial arts.

On this week’s year-in-review episode, our panel of Mike Bohn, Nolan King and Brian “Goze” Garcia discussed Jon Jones’ long-awaited return to action.

After a three-year absence, Jones returned to the octagon at UFC 285 to make his debut at heavyweight. The former light heavyweight king jumped right into a fight for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship and claimed it with relative ease against former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane.

What did winning a title in a second division do for Jones’ legacy, and how will his title reign unfold?

You can watch their discussion with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia in the video above, and check out the full episode below.

UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones looks on during the UFC heavyweight championship fight…

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones looks on during the UFC heavyweight championship fight against Ciryl Gane of France during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones looks on during the UFC heavyweight championship fight…

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones looks on during the UFC heavyweight championship fight…

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GTY 1471351173 S MAR MMA SPO UFC USA NV

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones enters the arena for the UFC heavyweight championship…

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones enters the arena for the UFC heavyweight championship fight against Ciryl Gane of France during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775947443 ORIG FILE ID: 1471351173

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AFP AFP_33AK3N8.JPG S SPO USA NV

French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane warms up ahead of his fight against US mixed…

French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane warms up ahead of his fight against US mixed martial arts fighter Jon Jones during their UFC 285 heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33AK3N8.jpg

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones looks on during the UFC heavyweight championship fight…

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GTY 1471352966 S MAR MMA SPO UFC USA NV

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones looks on during the UFC heavyweight championship fight…

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AFP AFP_33AK3UP.JPG S SPO USA NV

US mixed martial arts fighter Jon Jones (L) fights against French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl…

US mixed martial arts fighter Jon Jones (L) fights against French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane during their UFC 285 heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33AK3UP.jpg

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones holds his groin area after a kick by Ciryl Gane during a UFC 285…

Jon Jones holds his groin area after a kick by Ciryl Gane during a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB128

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones, left, takes down Ciryl Gane during a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title…

Jon Jones, left, takes down Ciryl Gane during a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB135

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GTY 1471352122 S MAR MMA SPO UFC USA NV

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones fights Ciryl Gane of France in the UFC…

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones fights Ciryl Gane of France in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775947443 ORIG FILE ID: 1471352122

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones fights Ciryl Gane of France in the UFC…

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones fights Ciryl Gane of France in the UFC…

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones reacts after his victory over Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts…

Jon Jones reacts after his victory over Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB133

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Ciryl Gane receives attention after losing to Jon Jones in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts…

Ciryl Gane receives attention after losing to Jon Jones in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB130

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Ciryl Gane of France reacts after losing to Jon Jones…

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Ciryl Gane of France reacts after losing to Jon Jones in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

Jon Jones

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones reacts after his victory over Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts…

Jon Jones reacts after his victory over Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB131

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones reacts after his victory over Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts…

Jon Jones reacts after his victory over Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB132

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AFP AFP_33AK3PQ.JPG S SPO USA NV

US mixed martial arts fighter Jon Jones celebrates after defeating French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl…

US mixed martial arts fighter Jon Jones celebrates after defeating French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane during their UFC 285 heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33AK3PQ.jpg

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones celebrates after winning during the UFC heavyweight championship…

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones celebrates after winning during the UFC heavyweight championship fight against Ciryl Gane of France during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones, right, dances with announcer Bruce Buffer after defeating Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285…

Jon Jones, right, dances with announcer Bruce Buffer after defeating Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB129

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones

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UFC 285: Jones v Gane

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones celebrates after winning during the UFC heavyweight championship…

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gallery

AFP AFP_33AK3PD.JPG S SPO USA NV

French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane walks out of the octogone after losing to US…

French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane walks out of the octogone after losing to US mixed martial arts fighter Jon Jones during their UFC 285 heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33AK3PD.jpg

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AFP AFP_33AK3PW.JPG S SPO USA NV

French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane reacts after losing to US mixed martial arts fighter…

French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane reacts after losing to US mixed martial arts fighter Jon Jones during their UFC 285 heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33AK3PW.jpg

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AFP AFP_33AK3PA.JPG S SPO USA NV

French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl Gane reacts after losing to US mixed martial arts fighter…

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AFP AFP_33AK3PT.JPG S SPO USA NV

US mixed martial arts fighter Jon Jones celebrates after defeating French mixed martial arts fighter Ciryl…

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones celebrates his victory over Ciryl Gane as he walks from the octagon after the…

Jon Jones celebrates his victory over Ciryl Gane as he walks from the octagon after the UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB137

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AP UFC 285 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS S MMA USA NV

Jon Jones celebrates his victory over Ciryl Gane as he walks from the octagon after the…

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jon-jones-ciryl-gane-ufc-285-scorecard

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UFC 285 - Ciryl Gane post-fight interview 1

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UFC 285 - Jon Jones post-fight interview 2

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UFC 285 - Jon Jones post-fight interview

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Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie

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