Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane

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

After a more than three-year absence from the Octagon, the former light heavyweight champion will return on Saturday and take on Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight title. The fight will headline UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena.

On Friday, the all-time great weighed 248 pounds, half a pound heavier than opponent Gane (247.5). Jones gave up the light heavyweight belt in August 2020 and began his preparation for weight gain, which included a 5,000-calorie-a-day diet and powerlifting. Jones (26-1, 1 NC) owns the UFC records for longest unbeaten streak (18), wins in title fights (14) and title defenses (11, level on points with Demetrious Johnson). The New York native, who lives and trains in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last fought in February 2020 to a win over Dominick Reyes in defense of the 205-pound title. Jones, 35, was also the youngest fighter to win a UFC title in 2011 (23 years old). Already considered the greatest fighter of all time, he may settle any debate by winning a second division title in the UFC.

Gane (11-1) comes out of a third-round knockout against Tai Tuivasa in September. The French native has won eight of his nine UFC fights. Gane, 32, has just one career loss, a unanimous decision loss to Francis Ngannou for the UFC Heavyweight Title in January 2022 at UFC 270.

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