Jon Jones is back.
The former light heavyweight champion and one of the greatest fighters of all time will make his long-awaited debut in the heavyweight division this Saturday at UFC 285.
His opponent is none other than Ciryl Gane, the former interim champion and one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport. The stakes are high, as the winner will claim the vacant heavyweight title and a place in history.
This is a fight that fans have been dreaming of for years, and it’s finally happening. Order the ESPN+ PPV now to watch Jones vs. Gane live on Saturday night.
Vacated: Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, vacated his UFC light heavyweight title after a dispute with the promotion over his pay.
Jones announced his decision on Twitter in August 2020, saying he wanted to move up to heavyweight if the UFC was open to negotiating a new contract.
He has not fought since February 2020, when he defended his title against Dominick Reyes by a controversial decision.
He has held the light heavyweight title off and on for nearly a decade, with only one loss by disqualification and one no-contest due to a failed drug test.
What’s happening: Jones is finally making his long-awaited heavyweight debut this weekend at UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane, the top-ranked heavyweight fighter in the UFC.
Jones weighed in at 248 pounds on Friday, adding 43 pounds of muscle since his last fight as a light heavyweight.
Gane weighed in at 247 pounds, making this a clash of two massive and athletic heavyweights.
How to watch: UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane will take place on Saturday, March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The main card will start at 10 p.m. ET and will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view for $74.99.
The prelims will start at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+.
The early prelims will start at 6:15 p.m. ET and will be streamed on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
The bottom line: Jones vs. Gane is one of the most anticipated fights of the year, featuring two elite fighters who have dominated their respective divisions.
Jones is looking to cement his legacy as the best fighter ever by becoming a two-division champion.
Gane is looking to spoil Jones’ plans and extend his unbeaten streak to 13 fights.