Ciryl Gane and Curtis Blaydes, two competitors, are interested in the timeframe for Jon Jones
Jon Jones planned return to the UFC and his transition to heavyweight.
The organisation has Jones scheduled to compete on March 5 at UFC 285 in Las Vegas according to a report on Monday.
Although the opponent is yet unknown, the UFC prefers a championship matchup with champion Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou's ability to recuperate from knee surgery earlier this year and his UFC contract status will determine.
The UFC is committed to booking Jones for UFC 285 with or without Ngannou, with Gane and Blaydes being plausible alternatives.
Jones, 35, hasn't competed since February 8, 2020, when he barely defeated Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 to retain the light heavyweight title.
Jones declared his intention to switch to heavyweight and vacated the 205-pound championship.
In August 2021, Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC), then 32, defeated Derrick Lewis via TKO to become the interim heavyweight champion.
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