Ciryl Gane says Jon Jones 'must prove himself' when they meet at UFC 285

As the antagonist in Jon Jones’ long-awaited comeback, and with the added significance of a world title on the line, Ciryl Gane might just be feeling the strain.

Far from it, as it happens.

“Not too much pressure,” Gane tells The National a few days from this weekend’s headline heavyweight bout at UFC 285 in Las Vegas. “More pressure than normal because it’s a big fight … because all of this.”

“All of this” references the highly anticipated return of Jones, the former long-time light heavyweight champion who competes in his first UFC fight in more than three years.

The American, who holds myriad records within the promotion such as youngest champion (23 years, eight months) and most title-fight wins (14), is considered by many the greatest MMA athlete of all-time.

Jones, now 35, has been beaten once in a 28-fight professional career (one was a No Contest). Consequently, he boasts the longest unbeaten streak in UFC history, at 18 bouts.

A post shared by Real.C “BON GAMIN” (@ciryl_gane)

For extra intrigue, at T-Mobile Arena on early Sunday morning UAE, Jones will debut at heavyweight, where he will battle for the belt vacated in January by free agent Francis Ngannou. Win, and Jones becomes only the eighth two-division champion in UFC history.

So the pressure should really be pinching – for both combatants.

“It’s going to be a new Jon Jones, a new division, but he’s still going to be really sharp, really fast, with a high level,” Gane says. “So we did a camp on Jon Jones like he was before, but with more prime. That’s it. We’re expecting this.

“And apart from that, I’ve no pressure because I’m still confident. I’m going to have a pressure, but the good stress you see when you’re to jump in the cage. Like every time."

In