On paper, Jon Jones has never faced a bigger test — but that isn’t affecting his confidence one bit.

On March 5 the former longtime UFC light heavyweight champion will return to the UFC Octagon as a heavyweight where he will take on France’s Ciyrl Gane in a bout to contest the organisation’s vacant heavyweight championship, in what will be Jones’ first step into the UFC’s biggest weight class.

Gane, the outstanding kickboxer, is considered to be a stern test to Jones’ heavyweight credentials — particularly after Jones struggled at times (or at least looked human) in his two most recent fights against Dominick Reyes and Thiago Santos. But Jones says that his experience in fighting some of the most impressive strikers in light heavyweight history will stand him in good stead against Gane, even if he is surrendering some of the height and reach he used so impressively at 205-pounds.

No I don’t, Thiago Santos, Lyoto Machida the list goes on. I fought many guys who were nasty on their feet. Guys with very intimidating one strike knockout power. I feel pretty comfortable, and this is definitely not a kickboxing match. https://t.co/uuMBRDu4QL

— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 15, 2023

“No I don’t”, Jones said to a fan on Twitter after he was asked if he believes Gane to be the sternest threat he will have faced on the feet. “Thiago Santos, Lyoto Machida, the list goes on. I fought many guys who were nasty on their feet. Guys with very intimidating one strike knockout power. I feel pretty comfortable, and this is definitely not a kickboxing match.”

It remains to be see exactly how Jones’ confidence will translate into the cage in the UFC 285 main event next month, or if he is in for a harsh dose of reality as he ends his three-year hiatus from mixed martial arts. But, as ever with this sport, we don’t have to wait long to find out.