Jon Jones makes his long-awaited return to Octagon on Saturday. Jones fights in the main event of UFC 197 against Ovince Saint Preux for the interim light heavyweight title from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Jones hasn't fought in almost 16 months since his win over Daniel Cormier at UFC 182. The time off wasn't because of injury but of Jones' own undoing. He was suspended by the UFC and stripped of the 205-pound title after a hit-and-run accident involving a pregnant woman and then getting arrested on two occasions involving spending two days in jail.
MORE: With McGregor, UFC gets what it deserves | Nate Diaz wants McGregor ... or else
Jon Jones (Getty Images)
Jones, the pound-for-pound king of the UFC, was scheduled to face Cormier in a rematch, but Cormier withdrew because of a leg injury. Jones wanted to stay on the card, so the UFC inserted Saint Preux.
The co-main event features flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson making his eighth consecutive title defense. His opponent is 2008 Olympic wrestling gold medalist and undefeated Henry Cejudo.
Here is everything you need to know about UFC 197: Jones vs. Saint Preux.
What time is Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux, UFC 197?
Pay-per-view coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET. Jones and Saint Preux are expected to enter the Octagon about 12:30 a.m. ET.
What TV channel is showing Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux, UFC 197?
Preliminary fights can be seen on Fox Sports 1 stating at 8 p.m. ET. The main card airs on pay-per-view, available for $59.99.
Where can I watch Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux, UFC 197 online?
The first three preliminary fights can be seen on UFC Fight Pass starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. You can then watch the rest of the prelim fights on the Fox Sports Go app at 8 p.m. ET. You can also watch the main card at UFC.TV for $59.99.
Who is fighting on Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux, UFC 197?
MAIN CARD
— Jon Jones vs. Ovince Saint Preux for interim light heavyweight title
— Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo for flyweight title
— Edson Barboza vs. Anthony Pettis — lightweights
— Rafael Natal vs. Robert Whittaker — middleweights
— Andre Fili vs. Yair Rodriguez — featherweights
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Chris Kelades vs. Sergio Pettis — flyweight
— Danny Roberts vs. Dominique Steele — welterweight
— Carla Esparza vs. Juliana Lima — Women's strawweight
— Glaico Franca vs. James Vick — lightweight
— Cody East vs. Walt Harris — heavyweight
— Clint Hester vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima — Light heavyweight
— Efrain Escudero vs. Kevin Lee — lightweight
Steven Muehlhausen is an MMA and boxing writer and contributor for Sporting News. You can find his podcast, The Fight Club Chicago, and subscribe on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher. You can email him at [email protected] and can find him on Twitter @SMuehlhausenMMA.
