New FSM Preview: UFC 285 - Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane

Photo Credit: UFC

New FSM Preview: UFC 285 – Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane

The UFC returns to Las Vegas with UFC 285! Saturday’s event features a card of championship fights and anticipated debuts. Headlining the night, one of the biggest names in MMA makes his return, as Jon Jones faces Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title.

UFC 285 is taking place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

UFC 285 looks to be one of the biggest events of the year with fighters like up-and-comer Bo Nickal making his major card debut and the return of the women’s flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko. Saturday’s event will be filled with can’t-miss fights, including the biggest fight of the night as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history makes his return to make a statement in the main event.

UFC 285 main card is Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane.

“Bones” makes his return with GOAT status on the line.

Jon “Bones” Jones is looking to reclaim his title as the GOAT at UFC 285.

UFC 285 Jon Jones — *Photo Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images*

It’s been three years since Jon Jones (26-1-0) graced the canvas of the UFC octagon. The last time we saw “Bones” Jones, was in February of 2020 when he had just completed his 11th light-heavyweight title defense in a decision victory over Dominic Reyes.

Though it was a closer fight than most anticipated, it looked as though Jones’ nine-year reign over the light heavyweight division was well intact, until the champ decided to relinquish the belt entirely following the fight as he stepped away from the sport completely.

Jones made it clear after stepping away that he wanted to be paid more than he was. The former champ also made it known that he intended to step away from MMA in order to build up his body and make a move to heavyweight to chase a second belt.

It was surprising to see Jones give away the title he defended for so long, but his decisions were made for good reason.

Since securing the title and becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, Jones defended the light-heavyweight belt for almost a decade. Jones holds the record for the most wins and longest win streak at 205 pounds, while also having the most title wins in UFC history. Seeing the attention his return to the UFC is receiving, Jones still stands as a big draw for the organization. After all that he has accomplished and can still provide to the UFC, he certainly seems worthy of a pay raise.

Can Jon Jones make the jump to heavyweight at UFC 285?

As for the move up to heavyweight, Jones is simply looking to stamp his name as the greatest of all time.

Can Jon Jones take care of business at UFC 285?

UFC 285 Ciryl Gane — *Photo Credit: UFC*

Though Jon Jones is a name that is frequently brought up in the GOAT conversations, a move to heavyweight would certainly strengthen his argument. Jones has had one of the greatest combat sports careers in the history of MMA, but some would argue that all of his accomplishments taking place in a single division hurts his case.

With fighters like Conor McGregor, George St-Pierre, and Jones’ old rival Daniel Cormier securing the titles of two different weight divisions, the argument can be made that one belt is just not enough.

These conversations are solely opinion-based, but after dedicating three years to bulking up and tossing away his title in pursuit of a new one, Jones seems set on making sure the label of greatest becomes undeniable.

“Bones” Jones will have his opportunity to add to his legacy as he enters the ring Saturday night with the number-one ranked heavyweight in the world, Ciryl Gane (11-1-0). The 6’4, 243-pound Frenchman possesses previous title-fight experience and an elite striking game that is only outshined by the fighter’s massive physique.

Facing an opponent like Ciryl Gane after a three-year layoff is a tall order, and moving up to a new weight class for the first time to face him makes the task absolutely daunting. It will be a true test for Jon “Bones” Jones when he walks out Saturday night in the T-Mobile Arena, but as we’ve seen from Jones over his MMA career, he is prepared to overcome anything that stands in front of him inside the octagon.

Will Ciryl Gane upset Jon Jones at UFC 285?