Sec Form 13G Filing - Apollo Management Holdings GP LLC @ CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund

Insider filing report for Changes in Beneficial Ownership

Schedule 13G & 13D forms are used to report a party's ownership of stock which exceeds 5% of a company's total stock issue.
Schedule 13G is a shorter version of Schedule 13D with fewer reporting requirements.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

(Amendment No.1)*

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

	CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund
(Name of Issuer)

Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares
(Title of Class of Securities)
17260G2@1 17260G 3@0 17260G 4@9
17260G 5@8

	(CUSIP Number)
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement) January 31, 2022

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

x	Rule 13d-1(b)
¨	Rule 13d-1(c)
¨	Rule 13d-1(d)

^* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Athene Annuity and Life Company
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Iowa

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

< table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%"> 11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

Series A – 960,000

Series B – 1,040,000

Series C – 800,000

Series D – 800,000

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

Series A – 40.0%

Series B – 28.9%

Series C – 13.3%

Series D – 36.4%

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARED VOTING POWER

Series A – 960,000

Series B – 1,040,000

Series C – 800,000

Series D – 800,000

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

Series A – 960,000

Series B – 1,040,000

Series C – 800,000

Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IC

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Athene USA Corporation
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Iowa

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Athene Holding Ltd.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Bermuda

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS AISG GP Ltd.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Life Asset, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Life Asset GP, LLC
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* x
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Capital Management, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CH ECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Management Holdings, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

CUSIP No. 17260G2@1; 17260G3@0; 17260G4@9; 17260G5@8
1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) ¨ (b) ¨
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS OO
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ¨
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware

NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARED VOTING POWER

Series A – 960,000

Series B – 1,040,000

Series C – 800,000

Series D – 800,000

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

Series A – 960,000

Series B – 1,040,000

Series C – 800,000

Series D – 800,000

11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Series A – 960,000 Series B – 1,040,000 Series C – 800,000 Series D – 800,000
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Series A – 40.0% Series B – 28.9% Series C – 13.3% Series D – 36.4%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON HC

Item 1.

(a)

Name of Issuer

CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund

(b)

Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices

3 Park Avenue

36th Floor

New York, New York 10016

Item 2.

(a)

Name of Person Filing

This statement is filed by: (i) Athene Annuity and Life Company (“AAIA”); (ii) Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company (“AADE”); (iii) Athene USA Corporation (“Athene USA”); (iv) Athene Holding Ltd. (“Athene Holding”); (v) Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP (“AISG”); (vi) AISG GP Ltd. (“AISG GP”); (vii) Apollo Life Asset, L.P. (“Apollo Life”); (viii) Apollo Life Asset GP, LLC (“Apollo Life GP”); (ix) Apollo Capital Management, L.P. (“Capital Management”); (x) Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC (“Capital Management GP”); (xi) Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. (“Management Holdings”); (xii) Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC (“Management Holdings GP”).

AAIA holds the Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Issuer.

AADE is the sole shareholder of AAIA and Athene USA is the indirect sole shareholder of AADE. The principal business of each of AAIA and AADE is insurance. Athene Holding is the indirect sole shareholder of Athene USA. AISG is the investment adviser of each of AAIA, AADE, Athene USA, and Athene Holding. AISG GP is the general partner of AISG. Apollo Life is the sole shareholder of AISG GP, and Apollo Life GP is the general partner of Apollo Life. Capital Management is the sole member of Apollo Life GP. The general partner of Capital Management is Capital Management GP. Management Holdings is the sole member and manager of Capital Management GP, and Management Holdings GP is the general partner of Management Holdings.

None of the Reporting Persons nor any of the persons or entities referred to in Appendix A to Item 2 has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors) or been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, Federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(b)

Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

The address of the principal office of AAIA, AADE and Athene USA is 7700 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. The address of the principal office of AISG is 2121 Rosecrans Ave. Ste 5300, El Segundo, California 90245. The address of the principal office of Athene Holding is Second Floor, Washington House, 16 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11 Bermuda. The address of the principal office of each of AISG GP, Apollo Life, Apollo Life GP, is c/o Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Center, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, KY1-9008 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. The address of the principal office of each of Capital Management, Capital Management GP, Management Holdings, and Management Holdings GP is 9 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019.

(c)

Citizenship

AAIA		Iowa
AADE		Delaware
Athene USA		Iowa
Athene Holding		Bermuda
AISG		Delaware

AISG GP		Cayman Islands
Apollo Life		Cayman Islands
Apollo Life GP		Cayman Islands
Capital Management		Delaware
Capital Management GP		Delaware
Management Holdings		Delaware
Management Hol dings GP		Delaware

(d)

Title of class of securities

Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares

(e)

CUSIP No.

Series A: 17260G2@1

Series B: 17260G 3@0

Series C: 17260G 4@9

Series D: 17260G 5@8

Item 3.

If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

(a) ¨ Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);

(b) ¨ Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);

(d) ¨ Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a-8);

(e) x An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

(f) ¨ An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

(g) x A parent holding company or control person in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

(h) ¨ A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

(i) ¨ A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);

(j) ¨ A non-U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J);

(k) ¨ Group, in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution: ____

Item 4

Ownership.

(a) & (b) Information in Rows 7 to 13 of the respective cover pages of the individual Reporting Persons are incorporated into this Item 5 by reference.

The Reporting Persons’ aggregate percentage beneficial ownership of the total amount of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding is based on 2,400,000 shares of Series A; 3,600,000 shares of Series B: 6,000,000 shares of Series C; and 2,200,000 shares of Series D Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding.

Athene USA, Athene Holding, AISG, AISG GP, Apollo Life, Apollo Life GP, Capital Management, Capital Management GP, Management Holdings, Management Holdings GP, each disclaim beneficial ownership of all Common Stock included in this report, and the filing of this report shall not be construed as an admission that any such person or entity is the beneficial owner of any such securities for purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other purpose.

Item 5.

Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following: ¨

Item 6.

Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

Not applicable.

Item 7.

Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.

See response to Item 2(a), which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.

Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

Not applicable.

Item 9.

Notice of Dissolution of Group.

Not applicable.

Item 10.

Certification.

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under §240.14a-11.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: January 10, 2022

	ATHENE ANNUITY AND LIFE COMPANY

	By:	Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP, its investment adviser

		By:	AISG GP Ltd.,
			its general partner

		By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
			Angelo Lombardo
			Authorized Signatory


	ATHENE ANNUITY & LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY

	By:	Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP, its investment adviser

		By:	AISG GP Ltd.,
			its general partner


		By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
			Angelo Lombardo
			Authorized Signatory


	ATHENE USA CORPORATION

	By:	Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP, its investment adviser

		By:	AISG GP Ltd.,
			its general partner

		By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
			Angelo Lombardo
			Authorized Signatory

	ATHENE HOLDING LTD.

	By:	Apollo Insurance Solutions Group LP, its investment adviser

		By:	AISG GP Ltd.,
			its general partner


		By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
			Angelo Lombardo
			Authorized Signatory


	APOLLO INSURANCE SOLUTIONS GROUP LP

	By:	AISG GP Ltd., its general partner

		By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
			Angelo Lombardo
			Authorized Signatory

	AISG GP LTD.

	By:	/s/ Angelo Lombardo
		Angelo Lombardo
		Authorized Signatory

APOLLO LIFE ASSET, L.P.

By:

Apollo Life Asset GP, LLC,

its general partner

		By:	/s/ William B. Kuesel
			William B. Kuesel
			Vice President

	APOLLO LIFE ASSET GP, LLC

	By:	/s/ William B. Kuesel
		William B. Kuesel
		Vice President

APOLLO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.

By:

Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC,

its general partner

		By:	/s/ William B. Kuesel
			William B. Kuesel
			Vice President

	APOLLO CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GP, LLC

	By:	/s/ William B. Kuesel
		William B. Kuesel
		Vice President

APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, L.P.

By:

Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC,

its general partner

		By:	/s/ William B. Kuesel
			William B. Kuesel
			Vice President

	APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS GP, LLC

	By:	/s/ William B. Kuesel
		William B. Kuesel
		Vice President

Sec Form 13G Filing - Apollo Management Holdings GP LLC filing for CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund (CADCX) - 2022-01-11