Jon Jones is ready to return to the octagon after a three-year lengthy hiatus on Saturday, March 4. In a high-octane contest, Jones might be up in opposition to Ciryl Gane in the primary occasion of UFC 285 to crown the brand new champion within the heavyweight class. The historic match may also mark Jones’ first apperance within the heavyweight division and followers are trying ahead to witness the champion in full movement as soon as once more.
One other American fighter Bo Nickal will face off in opposition to Jamie Pickett within the middleweight division. It is going to be a debut look for Nickal who idolized Jones as a UFC fan.
ALSO READ| UFC 285, Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane: Full Match Card, Timing and Reside Streaming particulars in USA, UK and India
Forward of their respective bouts, each fighters received collectively throughout UFC 285 media day. In a viral video, Jones and Nickal shared a lightweight second collectively and had been seen practising their grappling strikes on one another in a pleasant struggle.
Watch the video right here:
“Tremendous motivating for me. I keep in mind most likely being within the fifth, sixth grade, watching UFC occasions and seeing Jon Jones dismantle folks,” reminisced Nickal on the event.
“So to be on the identical card as him is a giant honor. I’m very grateful for that chance. I feel it’s fairly cool,” he added.
Nickal additionally talked concerning the transient pleasant struggle that he engaged with Jones throughout their last coaching classes forward of Saturday’s occasion.
“I used to be capable of meet him yesterday on the [UFC Performance Institute]. He tried to take me down, however I clearly stuffed that and ran round and received behind him and stuff. Once more, very grateful to be on the cardboard, and he’s undoubtedly a man that, his combating type, I’d wish to emulate,” stated Nickal.
“He had a fairly sturdy grip, however total, it was simply straight wrestling, so I had a giant benefit,” he concluded.