ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jon Jones reached the pinnacle of mixed martial arts and then fell harder than just about anyone ever had before.

When he got back on top Saturday night by stopping his greatest rival in dramatic style, Jones vowed to appreciate everything he had lost and regained.

Jones reclaimed his U.F.C. light heavyweight title by stopping Daniel Cormier in the third round with a vicious head kick and a finish on the ground at U.F.C. 214, completing his rocky journey back to the top after two and a half years of drama with his 14th consecutive victory.

He fended off a stiff challenge from Cormier (19-2), who held the belt for most of the past two years while Jones (23-1) dealt with self-inflicted setbacks outside the cage. His title belt has been stripped twice, and he endured a yearlong suspension for a doping test failure before returning to beat Cormier for the second time.