Jon Jones to Face Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, Signs New 8 Fight Deal
Jon “Bones” Jones’ return to the octagon is finalized for UFC 285 PPV after a new deal with UFC.
On Saturday, some pictures were circulating with Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane being advertised at the billboard outside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, for UFC 285 PPV. The advertisement mentioned the bout being for UFC Heavyweight Championship.
When Dana White arrived at UFC Vegas 67 post-fight press conference, it was the first question he addressed. White confirmed that Francis Ngannou is removed as the Heavyweight Champion and Jones vs Gane bout will be for the title to headliner UFC 285. White also added that Jones has signed a new 8-fight deal with the promotion.
A two-times UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones would return for his next fight for the first time in 3 years. He last defeated Dominik Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020 to retain Light Heavyweight title before vacating it in August 2020.
Considered one of the all-time greats, Jones only has one loss in his MMA career, which came in The Ultimate Fighter Finale in 2009 against Matt Hammill due to illegal strikes. However, Jones has been stripped of the title twice- once due to a felony hit-and-run case, and once due to a failed pre-fight drug test.
Jones holds several records including the longest unbeaten streak in UFC, longest reign, most overall defenses and most consecutive defenses as the Light Heavyweight Champion.
Ciryl Gane, former interim Heavyweight Champion, comes into the bout after bouncing back from his first MMA loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 in January 2022. He defeated Tai Tuivasa via knockout at UFC Paris in September 2022. He has an 8-1 record in UFC(11-1 overall).
