Jon Jones Submits Dan Henderson In First Round At Submission Underground 2

Jon Jones made a successful return to MMA fighting over the weekend when he submitted Dan Henderson in the first round of the grappling-only Submission Underground 2 main event on Sunday.

Jon Jones Submits Dan Henderson In First Round At Submission Underground 2

Jones submitted Henderson with an arm triangle choke 6:39 into the match. Following the win, Jones took the time to praise his opponent:

“I know we’ve had our differences over the years, but I truly respect you,” Jones said. You’re a legend of the sport.”

Jones, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, is currently serving a suspension from the UFC for failing a drug test. This caused him to be pulled from the UFC 200 main event in July, although he was still permitted to fight elsewhere.

Presented by Chael Sonnen and FloSports, the Submission Underground event streamed live on FloGrappling over the weekend. The match was one several years in the making as Jones faced the recently retired Henderson.

The two were scheduled to face off at UFC 151 in 2012. The fight never occurred after Henderson was forced to pull out due to injury and Jones refused to face Sonnen on short notice.

Despite weighing 205 pounds for most of his career, Jones entered the bout weighing a healthy 238 pounds to Henderson’s 207. Jones used his size advantage to take down Henderson at the four-minute mark. Once Henderson found himself outmatched in strength, Jones slapped on the choke and elicited the tap out.

After the fight, Jones challenged Sonnen to a match.

“I’m thinking me and you, Chael, should do a little something something,” Jones said. He defeated Sonnen via first-round TKO back at UFC 159.

Sonnen, being one to never duck a challenge, graciously accepted the invitation.

“In that case, I will see you Jan. 29,” Sonnen said, referring to Submission Underground’s next event.

Jones added that he plans on staying busy until his UFC suspension ends in July.

“I’m thinking about getting into the Octagon every day,” he said. “I’m totally living a healthy lifestyle. Obviously with sobriety, and just eating clean… I’m working really hard.”

 Here are the full Submission Underground 2 results:

Main card: 
Jon Jones def. Dan Henderson via arm triangle at 6:39
Miesha Tate def. Jessica Eye (escape time)
Jeff Monson def. Warren Brooks (rear-naked choke)
Kyra Batara def. Rita Lynne Gribben (escape time)
Joe Baize def. Shaun Kiatvongharoen (heel hook)

Undercard:
John Diggins def. KC Thompson (kneebar)
Ben Egli def. Devin Roan (kneebar)
Matt Howell def. Josh Bennett (escape time)
Lee Flores def. Brad Pole (rear-naked choke)
Alex Le def. Robert Wolfe (kimura)
Sam Robinson def. Katie Ericson (armbar)
Jeffery Pelton def. Marques Daniels (escape time)
Phill Schwartz def. Gus Bessa (RNC)
Kyle Ellsworth def. Rick Bell (RNC)
Andrew Alexander def. Tyree Freshner (heel hook)
Kevin Hughes def. Mike Currier (kneebar)
Chris Folsom def. Jose Rodriguez (escape time)
Stryder Davis def. Niko Hughes (escape time)
Nicholas Maximov def. Chris Bauer (armbar)
Charles Batey def. Chris Martin (heel hook)

LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 03:  Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones waits in a timeout as he defends his title against Daniel Cormier during the UFC 182 event  at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 3, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jones retained his title by unanimous decision.  (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)