Jon Jones (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following an extensive, contract dispute with the UFC, now-former heavyweight champ, Francis Ngannou, has been released by the promotion. In addition, the UFC has announced that Jon Jones will battle Ciryl Gane for the now-vacant, heavyweight belt.

The title fight will headline UFC 285, which will take place on March 4th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Jones (26-1) hasn’t competed since February, 2020, when he recorded a controversial decision win over Dominick Cruz. Jones vacated the light-heavyweight title not long after, and announced his plans to move up to heavyweight.

Gane (11-1) is coming off a KO win over Tai Tuivasa in September, which followed his decision loss to Ngannou(17-3) in January, 2022.

It doesn't get bigger than this – UFC President @DanaWhite confirms that @JonnyBones will take on @Ciryl_Gane for the heavyweight championship at #UFC285

[ March 4 | @TMobileArena | Tix On Sale Jan 20 at https://t.co/LJfHcNZo6J ] pic.twitter.com/oUpfPUMYXp

— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2023

On Saturday, UFC President Dana White claimed that Ngannou was offered a contract, which would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history. But, the sides could not come to an agreement and Ngannou is now free to negotiate with other promotions.

The feared striker, who has publicly criticized the UFC’s compensation model in the past, has also expressed an interest in boxing.