UFC 197: Jon 'Bones' Jones defeats Ovine Saint Preux - but is he still the dominant champion we once knew?

Jones returned to the Octagon after 476 days since his last UFC bout to beat Saint Preux

Jon Jones beat Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197 (AP)

More than a year after his last UFC appearance, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones has returned to the Octagon with a unanimous decision victory over Ovince Saint Preux, but is he still the exciting mixed martial artist that dominated the light heavyweight division for the best part of four years?

American Jones returned to the UFC after a 476-day hiatus that saw him hit the headlines for his actions out of the Octagon, having endured multiple run-ins with the law that threatened his future with the UFC.

However, 28-year-old Jones publicly announced his determination to return to the UFC and reclaim the light heavyweight championship that he held from March 2011 until January last year, before being stripped of the title due to his involvement in a hit-and-run incident.

The former champion is lined up for a light heavyweight title shot against Daniel Cormier – who he was due to face at UFC 197 until the champion pulled out with injury – after defeating Saint Preux at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, which came courtesy of a unanimous points decision.

Jones was unable to claim the knockout victory though, and questions have immediately been raised over whether he remains the all-conquering fighter that he was before his UFC absence.

Watch the highlights of the UFC 197 bout between Jones and Saint Preux below...

Jones utilised numerous takedowns to maintain control over Saint Preux, and landed a barrage of punches and elbows to keep the 33-year-old American on the back foot and ensure that the three judges scored the fight 50-44, 50-45 and 50-45.

Whether Jones still has the knockout power that saw him win nine of his 23 MMA fights by knockout remains to be seen, with Cormier set to test that out should the two go on to set-up a fight in the near future as is expected.