JON JONES has been snapped in UFC fight gear for the first time in over three years.
The former long-reigning light-heavyweight champion will make his return to the octagon at HEAVYWEIGHT this weekend in the main event of UFC 285 in Las Vegas.
Jon Jones makes his long-awaited UFC return this weekend at UFC 285GETTY
GETTYJones has yet to fight in the UFC’s Venum produced fight kit[/caption]
CHISANGA MALATASunSport got the first glimpse at Jones in the Venum fight kit[/caption]
After undergoing a dramatic body transformation for his long-awaited move up in weight, Jones will be welcomed back to the cage by former interim 265lb king Ciryl Gane.
MMA fans have been wondering how Jones will look with his new frame.
And SunSport got the first look at the former pound-for-pound king in UFC fight gear ahead of his return.
SunSport caught the 35-year-old donning black Venum fight shorts along with a dark blue and black top.
It was likely the first time Jones had donned the UFC’s Venum fight kits as the last time he fought – at UFC 247 – Reebok were still the promotion’s kit provider.
Jones looked thick and muscular in the top and the shorts, with his frame showing he’s clearly hit the gym hard during his hiatus.
During the UFC 285 media day, he told SunSport: “I ended up off training camp bench pressing 315 (143kg) for five [reps].
“Deadlifts was about 640lbs and my squat was about 500lbs, maybe 520lbs, somewhere around there.
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“Towards the end, I wasn’t going for big numbers.
“I was just going for explosiveness and muscular endurance.
“But I’ve got pretty strong over the last three years.”
When asked to reveal how heavy he got, he added: “A few months ago, I got up to 267lbs.
“But I felt a little more bloated and I didn’t like my endurance at that weight.”
Jones, however, has cut a considerable amount of weight in order to be both nimble and strong for his heavyweight bow.
INSTAGRAM@JONNYBONESJon Jones plans to weight between 245 and 250lbs for his heavyweight debut[/caption]
He said: “I plan on competing right around, anywhere between, 245 and 250lbs.”
Jones hasn’t set foot inside the cage since his controversial UFC 247 victory over Dominick Reyes in February 2020.
Bones retained the light-heavyweight belt via unanimous decision in what proved to be his final defence of the 205lb belt.
He vacated the title a few months later in order to prepare for his heavyweight debut, which has been 11 years in the making.