Jon Jones was seconds away from REFUSING to fight Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 and walking back to locker room over tape issue

JON JONES was moments away from REFUSING to struggle Ciryl Gane in his long-awaited comeback struggle.

The previous pound-for-pound king made his eagerly-anticipated return to the octagon on Saturday evening within the essential occasion of UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

Jon Jones was welcomed again to the octagon by Ciryl Gane at UFC 285Credit score: AFP

Jones claimed the heavyweight title with a submission victory over the FrenchmanCredit score: GETTY

However the struggle nearly did not occur as a consequence of a difficulty with the tape on Jones' footCredit score: Getty

Jones would've refused to struggle if Nevada Athletic Fee compelled him to fully take away the tapeCredit score: GETTY

Ciryl Gane welcomed Jones again to motion and to the heavyweight division following his THREE-YEAR hiatus.

However the former long-reigning 205lb king nearly did not stroll into the octagon because of the Nevada State Athletic Fee's subject with the taping of his left foot.

He revealed: "I used a distinct tape. I normally use a sure model of tape. I will give them a shoutout, Struggle Tape.

"I really feel prefer it's quite a bit stickier. I used the UFC's tape tonight and as quickly as my physique began to sweat, the tape was sliding in every single place.

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"So I made nearly like a little bit solid round my toe that linked right down to the center of my foot in order that the tape would not slide off my toes.

"And after I obtained on the market, the fee was like, 'You possibly can't tape your toes.'

"And I am like, 'Dude, I've all the time taped my toes. I am not going to compete if I am unable to tape my toes. I simply will not do it.'

"I need everybody to know that sooner or later. Thank God we did not have a catastrophe on the market tonight."

Jones, 35, has taped the large and center toes on his left foot collectively ever since breaking the previous of the 2 within the closing moments of his conflict with Chael Sonnen ten years in the past.

He advised ESPN: “I broke my toe when fought Chael Sonnen years in the past.

"And ever since then, day-after-day at observe I tape my toe simply to make sure that it doesn’t come out.”

"The toe is completely high-quality however each now and again, if I pivoted on it too onerous, it sends essentially the most excruciating ache up my physique.

"And I simply by no means need to compete with out my toe taped once more.”

Jones captured his second UFC title with a first-round submission victory over Gane, which got here by way of a guillotine choke.

Jon Jones submitted Ciryl Gane in two minutes to assert the UFC heavyweight titleCredit score: Getty

In his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan:, he stated: "Initially, I gotta give because of my lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

"With out him, I by no means would've made it this far.

"I’ve been working for this for such a very long time, however I’ve been devoted to my purpose. I’ve been devoted to the mission.

"There have been days that I didn’t need to practice however I used to be all the time there

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"I knew if I obtained him right down to the bottom that the struggle can be in my space as I’ve been wrestling since I used to be 12 years previous.

"I really felt a little bit bit goofy on the toes, however I need to say one last item, ‘baa!’”