UFC 285 is set to be an explosive bout between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane as both fighters duke it out to earn the title of UFC Heavyweight Champion. Taking place in Las Vegas, these two competitors have been at each other’s throats for months but are now set to decide once and all who deserves the top honor.
Standing at 92KG, the former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones arrives under a dark cloud after failing multiple drug tests which resulted in two bans. Now under new Anti-Doping rule changes that came into effect in 2019, the New York-born MMA fighter believes that he has been cleared of any wrongdoing, and no question marks should surround his impressive record – most notably, being the youngest champion in UFC history at 23. Now 35 years old, this event is seen as Jones’s big comeback and his chance to prove that he is still the greatest of all time, as many already believe.
(Image credit: UFC) Date: March 4th, 2023 Fight time: 22:00 ET in the US, 03:00 GMT in the UK, and 14:00 AEDT in Australia Stadium: T-Mobile Arena, Nevada, Las Vegas Watch in the US: ESPN Plus + ESPN PPV (opens in new tab) Watch in the UK: BT Sports Pass (opens in new tab) Watch in Australia: UFC Fight Pass (opens in new tab)
On the other side of the octagon at 112kg, we have the former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion and current number one in the UFC heavyweight rankings, Ciryl Gane. The Frenchman and former luxury furniture seller equally has a strong record with eight wins and only one loss under his belt. With Jones having a three-year absence, Gane could take the opportunity to serve the former his first major defeat, only previously losing to disqualification to Matt Hamil in 2009.
Wherever you are based, there are plenty of options for watching UFC 285. It’s fair to say though, it’s not entirely simple. Depending on where you are located, it can be quite convoluted to work out how to watch UFC 285. That’s why we’ve done our best to break it all down below, whether you are in the US, UK, Australia, or otherwise.
UFC 285 will take place on March 4th, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada, Las Vegas. Those in the US will be able to watch the mixed martial arts match between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane at 22:00 ET with Prelims taking place at 20:00 ET and Early Prelims happening at 18:15 PM ET.
It’s a late one for fans in the UK who will need to wait up until 03:00 GMT on March 5th, 2023, to watch the main fight live, with Prelims kicking off from 01:00 GMT and Early Prelims at 23:15 GMT on March 4th. Australian folks can tune in at 14:00 AEDT on March 5th to watch live.
How to watch UFC 285 in the US
(opens in new tab) ESPN Plus + ESPN PPV | $89.98 per month (opens in new tab)
The cheapest way to watch UFC 285 is by subscribing to ESPN Plus for one month at $9.99 and then purchasing PPV for $79.99 via the streaming service. This will give you access to the full UFC 285 event as well as all the live sports and original content from ESPN Plus for one month. You can then decide if you want to continue or cancel when it reverts to $9.99 per month afterward. ESPN Plus + Disney Plus (ads) + Hulu (ads) + ESPN PPV | $92.98 per month (opens in new tab)
Another option is to take out a Disney Plus Trio Basic bundle that gives you access to Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus for $12.99 per month. That’s a $155.76 yearly saving when compared to subscribing to each platform separately. You can then take out ESPN PPV for $79.99 on top. ESPN Plus + ESPN PPV | $179.95 $124.98 a year (opens in new tab)
Save $54.97 – A better value offer is to take out an annual subscription to ESPN Plus (worth $99.99) and a PPV (worth $79.99) for $124.98 as part of a limited-time deal to celebrate UFC 285. This is a saving of more than $50 and gets you ESPN Plus for an entire year. This is the clear winner.
How to watch UFC 285 in the UK
(opens in new tab) UFC Fight Pass | £6.99 per month (opens in new tab)
So the UK is a little more complicated. Anyone wanting to watch everything that UFC 285 has to offer needs to sign up for the streaming service, UFC Fight Pass. This will broadcast the complete Early Prelims and Prelims live, however, will not have the Main Card fights until 48 hours after it has taken place. The $6.99 monthly option is the cheapest option. UFC Fight Pass | £71.99 per year (opens in new tab)
If you fancy watching more UFC fights throughout the year, you can also take out an annual subscription for £83.88. This represents a saving of £11.89 or 20%, giving you access to over 1,000 hours of live combat sports action. Again, you will not be able to watch Main Card events until 48 hours after they air. BT Sport Pass | £29.99 a month (opens in new tab)
Without already being a BT customer, the easiest and cheapest way to watch any Main Card fights live for UFC 285 is to get a monthly pass at £29.99. This can then be canceled at any time. It does only limit you to the app or web player but unless you want to take out a full BT package, is the most effective.
How to watch UFC 285 in Australia
(opens in new tab) UFC Fight Pass | $10.99 per month (opens in new tab)
Just like in the UK, the Early Prelims and Prelims will be available to stream on UFC Fight Pass. The Main Card fights, however, are not included and are not added until a later date – presumably 48 hours afterwards (the website doesn’t state). The $10.99 offer is the cheapest way to watch if you’re not bothered about catching it live. UFC Fight Pass (UFC 285)| $59.95 PPV (opens in new tab)
The other alternative is to just pay strictly for UFC 285, which gives you access to the full event live. The purchase includes viewing 24 hours from the event start. Kayo Sports PPV | $59.95 PPV (opens in new tab)
For the same price, Kayo Sports will give you access to the full fight card live and on-demand. It also included access to Kayo One until March 9th, 2023.
Which VPN should I use to stream UFC 285?
(opens in new tab) ExpressVPN | Try 100% risk-free for 30 days (opens in new tab)
Not seeing your country here? The likes of Canada and such will need access to a VPN to watch UFC 285. Wherever you are in the world, ExpressVPN is always our go-to recommendation for streaming and is perfect for streaming UFC 285. By taking up this exclusive GamesRadar offer, you can save 49% (opens in new tab) on a 12-month subscription to ExpressVPN. It also throws in 3 months for free, so that’s 15 months total. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also available.
What fights are taking place at UFC 285?
(Image credit: UFC)
The Main Card event will be headlined by Jon Jones going up against Ciryl Gane for the title of UFC Heavyweight Championship, however, several other fights will take place in the build-up. See below for the Main Card line-up:
Heavyweight Title Bout: Jon Jones (US) vs Ciryl Gane (France)
Jon Jones (US) vs Ciryl Gane (France) Women’s Flyweight Title Bout: Valentina Shevchenko (Kyrgyzstan) vs Alexa Grasso (Mexico)
Valentina Shevchenko (Kyrgyzstan) vs Alexa Grasso (Mexico) Welterweight Bout: Geoff Neal (US) vs Shavkat Rakhmonov (Kazakhstan)
Geoff Neal (US) vs Shavkat Rakhmonov (Kazakhstan) Lightweight Bout: Jalin Turner (US) vs Dan Hooker (New Zealand)
Jalin Turner (US) vs Dan Hooker (New Zealand) Middleweight Bout: Bo Nickal (US) vs Jamie Pickett (US)
Head to the official UFC website (opens in new tab) for further details, including the full Prelims and Early Prelims line-up.
Looking to upgrade your setup in time for the big fight? Here’s where to find the best OLED TVs of 2023 alongside the best sound systems on the market. We’ve also got all of the latest ESPN Plus costs if you’re looking for more great sports.