Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane

LAS VEGAS – It’s time for the long-awaited return of Jon Jones.

After greater than three years away from the Octagon, the previous mild heavyweight champion will come again Saturday and face Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight title. The struggle will headline UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena.

On Friday, the all-time nice weighed in at 248 kilos, a half-pound greater than his opponent Gane (247.5). Jones relinquished the sunshine heavyweight belt in August 2020 and started his preparation of placing on weight, which included a 5,000-calorie-per-day food plan and powerlifting. Jones (26-1, 1 NC) owns the UFC data for longest unbeaten streak (18), victories in title fights (14) and title defenses (11, tied with Demetrious Johnson). The New York native, who lives and trains in Albuquerque, New Mexico, final fought in February 2020, a win over Dominick Reyes in protection of the 205-pound title. Jones, 35, was additionally the youngest fighter to win a UFC title in 2011 (23 years outdated). He’s already thought of the best fighter of all time, however can get rid of any debate by successful a second division title within the UFC.

Gane (11-1) is coming off a third-round knockout of Tai Tuivasa in September. The France native has gained eight of his 9 UFC fights. Gane, 32, has only one profession loss, a unanimous determination defeat in opposition to Francis Ngannou for the UFC heavyweight title in January 2022 at UFC 270.

The co-main occasion encompasses a ladies’s flyweight title struggle between champion Valentina Shevchenko and challenger Alexa Grasso. Shevchenko has gained 9 consecutive bouts. Her final loss got here at bantamweight in September 2017 to Amanda Nunes. Grasso has gained every of her first 4 bouts at flyweight. Her final loss was in 2019 in opposition to Carla Esparza.

Follow all of the motion with Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim or watch the fights on ESPN+ PPV.