Jon Jones adds 43 pounds for UFC heavyweight debut vs. Ciryl Gane

LAS VEGAS — Jon Jones spent more than two years packing on the pounds, prepping for his move up to heavyweight. The result: The former longtime UFC light heavyweight champion actually weighed more than his opponent Friday morning.

Jones hit the scale at 248 pounds, which is 43 more pounds than he would be weighing in for UFC light heavyweight title fights. Ciryl Gane, Jones' opponent and an experienced heavyweight, weighed 247.5 pounds at the UFC Apex. Jones and Gane will fight for the vacant UFC heavyweight title Saturday night here at T-Mobile Arena.

While some fans on social media pointed out a noticeable fat around Jones' belly rather than the typical six pack he had while fighting at 205 pounds, the former champ was also notably more muscular in his chest and arms than he was previously.

Jones (26-1, 1 NC) owns UFC records for the longest unbeaten streak (18), title fight wins (14) and consecutive title defenses (11, tied with Demetrious Johnson). The New York native, who lives and trains in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has not fought since successfully defending his light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes on Feb. 8, 2020. Jones, 35, has never really lost in the cage — his lone defeat was via disqualification in a fight he was dominating back in 2009.

Heavyweight contenders Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane will face off for the vacant UFC heavyweight title.

Buy UFC 285 on ESPN+ PPV

UFC 285: Jones vs. GaneSat., March 4, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas • Main card: 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV • Prelims: 8 p.m. on ESPNews/ESPN+ • Early Prelims: 5:30 p.m. on ESPN+

Subscribe to ESPN+ to get exclusive live UFC events, weigh-ins and more; Dana White's Contender Series; and more exclusive MMA content.

Gane (11-1) is coming off a