Jon Jones is set to make a dramatic return to the cage this weekend when he takes on Cyryl Gane for the heavyweight title, after Francis Ngannou vacated the belt.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion hasn’t stepped foot in the Octagon in three years, when he defeated Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020.
‘Bones’ has since taken some time away from the sport because he admitted he lacked motivation when facing lesser opponents.
‘I wanted to be afraid again. I believe that fear is healthy, and now we are in this position. The heavyweight division has never been so scary, and I’m glad to be right in the middle of it,” Jones told Unlocking the Cage.
As for Gane, the Frenchman will be looking to win the heavyweight title for the first time in his career. He suffered the first loss of his professional career when he fought Francis Ngannou in his only shot at the UFC undisputed title. In his last fight, ‘Bon Gamin’ defeated Tai Tuivasa in Paris by KO in the third round.
Jon Jones will return to the cage for the first time in three years when he faces Cyryl Gane
As for Ciryl Gane, the Frenchman defeated Tai Tuivasa during their last fight in September.
The co-main event sees Valentina Shevchenko defend her flyweight title for the eighth time against Alexa Grasso.
sports mail breaks down everything you need to know, including how you can watch in the UK, who’s fighting, and when UFC 285 is.
When is UFC 285?
UFC 285 will take place on Saturday March 4 with the first prelims kicking off at 11pm in the UK.
Jones’ showdown with Gane will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada.
The prelims are scheduled for Sunday, March 5 at 1 a.m., while the main card will kick off at 3 a.m.
The main event between Jones and Gane won’t start in the UK until around 5:30am on Sunday.
How to watch Jon Jones vs. Cyril Gane
UFC 285 will be broadcast live on BT Sport in the UK and will also stream live on the broadcaster’s app.
Coverage of this weekend’s PPV matchup will begin at 1am on Sunday, March 5.
Sportsmail will also be covering the event live, so you can stay up to date with us.
This weekend’s clash between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane will take place at the T-Mobile Arena
Jones vs. Gane: the key stats
Jon Jones
Age: 35
Height: 6 feet 4 inches
Reach: 84.5”
Posture: Orthodox
Record: 26-1-1
cyryl win
Age: 34
Height: 6 feet 5 inches
Reach: 81”
Posture: Orthodox
Record: 11-1
Why did Francis Ngannou vacate the title?
After successfully defending the heavyweight title in his last fight in January 2022, Ngannou was involved in a verbal back-and-forth with the UFC due to contract issues.
The Cameroonian fighter was unhappy with his salary and threatened to leave the promotion to pursue more fight options for a better payday, including a boxing matchup with Tyson Fury.
After failing to reach a new deal with the promotion, Ngannou was released from the UFC and would vacate his title.
However, the former heavyweight champion appeared on MMA Hour to give the reasons for his departure.
Francis Ngannou parted ways with the UFC after failing to reach a new deal with the company
Francis Ngannou’s last fight in the UFC was in January 2022, when he defeated Ciryl Gane
Francis Ngannou admitted that his disagreement with the UFC was not entirely about money after his departure.
“I knew it would happen at some point, but I don’t have stress, I feel great and I know I did everything right and I don’t regret it,” said Ngannou.
‘If I had to do it again, I would do the same. The last time I spoke to them was last Tuesday, they tried one more time and I couldn’t say yes. It was just a matter of principle and at that moment I knew that this was it.
“They didn’t say on the phone that this would happen, but I knew this would come. I did not do anything wrong. It does not matter what happens.
‘I was really hoping this would work and I wish we could find a way to make this work. I always see myself in the UFC, I never imagined myself outside of the UFC. I was willing to commit over and over again, but it got to the point where I just said, ‘guys, give me a break.
‘I suppose money was part of it, but it wasn’t just about money. They don’t talk about what the negotiation was about. They just talked about the money to make it the biggest heavyweight contract in history, they control the narrative, but I wish it had worked. It was a three-fight deal, I asked for all three but not the extension. One was Jon Jones, Stipe and then a rematch with Jon Jones.
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Principal card
- Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane – Vacant Heavyweight Title
- Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso – Women’s Flyweight Championship
- Geoff Neal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
- Mateusz Gamrot vs. Jalin Turner
- Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett
preliminary card
- Cody Garbrandt vs. Trevin Jones
- Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis
- Viviane Araujo vs. Amanda Ribas
- Julian Marquez vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
early preliminary card
- Ian Machado Garry vs. Song Kenan
- Mana Martinez vs. Cameron Saaiman
- Jessica Penne vs. Tabatha Ricci
- Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Farid Basharat
- Esteban Ribovics vs. Loik Radzhabov
Jon Jones has a chance to become a two-division champion this weekend against Gane
What has been said?
Addressing the delicious heavyweight matchup, Jones explained how frustrated he’s been for the last three years due to a lack of activity, but he’s excited for the ‘challenge’.
I know how to win fights. That’s why I’m here,’ Jones said.
‘I don’t think about losing. I have never lost. I don’t think about losing. My mind is completely focused on victory.
‘I’ve been ready for a while. I trained to fight Francis (Ngannou), I trained to fight Stipe (Miocic), and now Ciryl Gane is the guy I’m fighting.
‘A lot of time has passed. That’s three years of training twice a day with no reward. That was frustrating at times.
‘But I stayed true to my goals and dreams, and I’m here. I’ve done it. I’m excited, and I’m here for the challenge.
And Jon Jones says he’s up for the challenge when he takes on Ciryl Gane this weekend.
I respect that Ciryl has taken this fight. I like what she represents. She behaves like a gentleman.
“I know he has a lot to gain and not a lot to lose, but in my opinion this is a big step up in the competition for him.”
‘This is the fight to watch. This is the way MMA is run.
‘Two skinny heavyweights who could have played football or basketball. It’s going to be two elite athletes going for it.’