Jon Jones will finally step into the ring at the Heavyweight division for the first time, and unfortunately for fans instead of facing the recognized UFC Heavyweight Champion in his first fight he is going to be fighting the man who just lost his first opportunity at UFC Gold in Ciryl Gane. With UFC and Heavyweight #1 Francis Ngannou unable to come to terms, the Ultimate Fighting Championship had to declare a new vacant Heavyweight Championship for Jones to dispute for.
Despite Ciryl Gane losing a 5 round decision to Francis Ngannou, Jon Jones will step into the octagon and put his 26-1 record 20-1 in the UFC against Ciryl Gane who is 11-1 and 8-1 in the UFC. Gane who held the former interim championship weighed in at 247.5 rounds while Jon Jones stepped on the scale at 248lbs. The Co main event will feature Valentina Shevchenko as a heavy favorite against Alexa Grasso of Mexico. Grasso primarily a striker will have her hands full against the Muay Thai champion in Shevchenko.
Mana Martinez and Geoff Neal both missed weigh for their bouts and were fined 30% of their fight purse. The rest of the fighters on UFC 285 include; Shavkat Rakhmonov and Matesusz Gamrot Vs Jailin Turner. Bo Nickel will also face Jamie Pickett. Prelims feature Cody Garbrandt Vs Trevin Jones and Derek Brunson Vs Dricus Du Plessis. Viaiane Araujo will battle Amanda Ribas.
Prelims feature Ian Garry Vs Song Kenan, Jessica Penne Vs Tabatha Ricci, and Loiuk Radzhabov Vs Esteban Ribovics. Cyborg fought alongside Jon Jones at both UFC 214 and UFC 232.