Jon Jones has revealed the nerves of a UFC heavyweight move often gave him sleepless nights.
Jones, who is considered by many to be the greatest MMA fighter ever, faces Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 in March. The 35-year-old is making his return to the Octagon after nearly three years away from the sport, last competing when he defended his light-heavyweight title for the final time with a controversial decision win against Dominick Reyes in February 2020.
'Bones' first discussed a move to heavyweight almost a decade ago but has only properly dedicated himself to the division since beating Reyes. The UFC legend feels reinvigorated ahead of his debut in the weight class and admits he was getting lackadaisical in the last few fights of his light-heavyweight career.
“Obviously, with being out for three years and in a new division, there’s a lot of questions that caused me to stay up a few long nights," Jones told MMA Underground. "But it keeps me sharp, which is something I feel like I didn’t have at light-heavyweight towards the end. Towards the end, it just felt like another day at the office. This doesn’t feel like another day at the office. This feels very different. The nerves and the anxiety, it’s all back and I do good when I’m under pressure. So I’m just really excited and grateful."
Jones was expected to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 282 last month, but the fight never materialised. UFC president Dana White denied that the fight was being planned for the event and Jones claims it didn't take place as Miocic and the UFC were unable to come to an agreement.
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'Bones' has been training everyday, sometimes even three times a day, since his last UFC fight and is eager to make his return against Gane on March 4. "I’ve been ready for a long time, I’ve been training non-stop. Three years, twice a day, sometimes three times a day and I’ve been waiting for this moment for a really long time. [I am] Glad to have an opponent," he added.
“I felt my physical size and strength was ready to go about four months ago. Dana says there was never a Stipe fight on the line. There was, they just couldn’t come to an agreement. I’ve been trying to prepare for Francis [Ngannou], I did a whole training camp preparing for Stipe, and now we got Ciryl Gane."
