Entertainment

Jon Jones to make his return at UFC 285 in heavyweight title bout vs Ciryl Gane

[ad_1]

It’s been nearly three years since Jon Jones defeated Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision at UFC 247 in February 2020. On Saturday, UFC president Dana White announced that he’s back.

Jones will fight Ciryl Gane at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 4 for the heavyweight title. The bout will headline UFC 285. Against Reyes, he defended his light heavyweight championship and since then has been bulking up to take on the heavyweight division in the mixed martial arts promotion.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Jon Jones smiles after Jan Blachowicz defeated Corey Anderson by KO during the UFC Fight Night event at Santa Ana Star Center on Feb. 15, 2020, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Jon Jones smiles after Jan Blachowicz defeated Corey Anderson by KO during the UFC Fight Night event at Santa Ana Star Center on Feb. 15, 2020, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
(Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

The announcement came after the company was unable to strike a new deal with current champion Francis Ngannou. White said he offered Ngannou the richest deal for a heavyweight in UFC history to fight Jones but he turned it down. So White turned to Gane.

“I’ve told you guys this before – if you don’t want to be here, you don’t have to be,” White said, via ESPN. “I think Francis is in a place right now where he doesn’t want to take a lot of risk. He feels like he’s in a good position where he could fight lesser opponents and make more money. We’re going to let him do that, release him from his contract and give up our right to match.”

White had high praise for Jones.

SUSPENDED UFC COACH WAS A MIDDLEMAN FOR OFFSHORE GAMBLING SITE: REPORT

“Many believe, including me, he’s the best of all time,” White said. “Jon Jones has been ready, willing and able to fight anybody. He didn’t care who it was.”

Jones is 26-1 all time and Gane is 11-1.

“When I started watching this, Jon Jones was one of my favorite fighters,” Gane told reporters at the UFC Vegas 67 post-event press conference, via MMA Fighting. “More when I started MMA, because I’m a fan of every sport in MMA, and when you look at a guy like Jon Jones, who’s well-rounded like this, you really appreciate it. He’s the GOAT. Look at his career.

“Today, I’m a young fighter, and I think it’s the dream of every young fighter to fight against a GOAT. This is really crazy for me.”

Jon Jones stands in his corner prior to his light heavyweight championship bout at Toyota Center on Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston, Texas.

Jon Jones stands in his corner prior to his light heavyweight championship bout at Toyota Center on Feb. 8, 2020, in Houston, Texas.
(Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images))

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Jones and Gane bout is the first official match on the UFC 285 card.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[ad_2]

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Leave a comment

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Articles

Entertainment

Hilda Baci reacts after being dethroned as record-holder for longest cooking marathon

Hilda Baci, a Nigerian Jollof Queen, has reacted to her dethronement as...

EntertainmentLatesttalk

🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎉

Try Audible PlusWe’re celebrating our blog’s latest milestone with an exciting giveaway...

Entertainment

Why I Shunned Request to Meet Davido – Odumodu Finally Opens Up

Odumodublvck has stunned Nigerians by revealing why he denied an invitation to meet...

EntertainmentLatesttalk

Mohbad: Tonto Dikeh blows hot as Sam Larry follows her on IG

Tonto Dike expresses grief over the loss of Mohbad, Condenms Sam Larry...

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x