UFC 285: Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel and undercard for heavyweight title fight UK WIRE

JON JONES will make his long-awaited return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 285 – after THREE YEARS on the sidelines.

And the former dominant light-heavyweight champion will FINALLY be making his long-anticipated heavyweight debut.

Former pound-for-pound king Jon Jones makes his long-awaited return at UFC 285Credit: GETTY

Jones will be welcomed back to the octagon by Ciryl GaneCredit: GETTY

Jones and Gane will vie for the vacant UFC heavyweight titleCredit: GETTY

Jones has put on several pounds of muscle for his heavyweight debutCredit: [email protected]

Jones, 35, will challenge French Muay Thai phenom Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight title.

The belt became up for grabs in January after former champion Francis Ngannou left the promotion after failing to agree a new contract.

Should Jones get his hands on the strap, he’ll become a two-division champion, and, in the eyes of many, cement his status as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.

Elsewhere on the card, dominant women’s flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko will defend her title against Alexa Grasso.

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And welterweight sensation Shavkat Rakhmonov will look to prove he’s a legitimate contender with a statement victory over Geoff Neal.

When is UFC 285 – Jones vs Gane?

Jon Jones’ historic clash with Ciryl Gane will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 4.

Close to 20,000 fans will be in attendance to see Jones’s bid to become a two-weight world champion.

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What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

UFC 285 will be shown live on BT Sport 1 in the UK and Ireland.

The prelims will get underway at 11pm on UFC Fight Pass before switching to BT Sport 1 at 1am.

The stacked main card will get underway 3am.

Fans can live stream the action from the BT Sport app, which is available for download on your mobile or tablet device.

The mouthwatering main event is expected to get underway at around 5am UK time on Sunday, March 5.

Jon Jones hasn't set foot inside the octagon in nearly three years — Jon Jones hasn’t set foot inside the octagon in nearly three yearsCredit: GETTY

Victory over Gane will see Jones become a two-weight world championCredit: GETTY

UFC 285 Full Card

Main card

Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane – heavyweight title fight
Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs Alexa Grasso – women’s flyweight title fight
Geoff Neal vs Shavkat Rakhmonov
Jalin Turner vs TBD
Bo Nickal vs Jamie Pickett

Prelims

Derek Brunson vs Dricus du Plessis
Ian Garry vs Son Kenan
Viviane Araujo vs Amanda Ribas
Julian Marquez vs Marc-Andre Barriault
Jessica Penne vs Tabatha Ricci
Da’Mon Blackshear vs Farid Basharat
Kamuela Kirk vs Esteban Ribovics

What’s been said?

Jones said: “It’s kind of short time for me. I wish I had a little bit more time to prepare

“This idea of preparing for a new opponent in about six or seven weeks, I’ve done it before and I think it’s more than enough time.

“I would have liked more time, but I do think that this is a good amount of time, I feel great.”

Gane said: “I know I’ve got good footwork at first, I think I’m a little bit more well-rounded [than Francis Ngannou]. “I look a little bit more like Jon Jones.

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“Yes, when you have a big guy that just wants to kill you with one punch, it’s more easier for a guy well-rounded and smart like Jon Jones to manage the situation.

“Me, also, I am not like that. I like to manage the situation. It’s going to be really good.”

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