Heavyweight Championship bout between former two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and former interim champion Ciryl Gane headlines UFC 285. Josh Gaillard previews this and more!
While all eyes will be on the Jones v Gane fight, there are plenty of other fascinating bouts on what is a cracking card.
In the co-main event of the evening, undisputed flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko is set to make her eighth title defence against Mexico’s up-and-coming Alexa Grasso.
South Africa’s finest fighters are also on display as Dricus du Plessis edges his way closer to a top-five ranking, and Cameron Saaiman faces a fellow Dana White Contender Series alumni in search of a second straight victory in the UFC.
Check out all the picks below including our Top Treble.
Main Event
Jon Jones 11/20 | Ciryl Gane 13/10
When we talk about the “greatest of all time” in mixed martial arts, Jon Jones’ name is highlighted by most, and as if that is not enough, he now seeks the heavyweight crown as he seeks to further cement his legacy. On the opposite side of the octagon, former interim champion Ciryl Gane poses the toughest test of any heavyweight with movement like a middleweight and power indicative of the weight class.
After becoming the youngest UFC champion in history and dominating the light heavyweight division, Jon Jones (26-1, 1 NC) eyes loftier heights.
The 35-year-old’s jump up a weight class has been in the making for three full years since his last successful title defence back in 2020 against Dominick Reyes.
The layoff was a culmination of Covid-19 and the time needed to fully bulk up for the division without losing the exceptional movement and ability he possessed at 205lbs.
Jones is a long and rangy fighter that has used these attributes so well, he suffered just one loss his entire career – a disqualification back in 2009 in a fight that he was truly dominating.
The 6’4″ (194cm) fighter boasting a reach of 84.5″ (215cm) has enjoyed wins over fighters who have had spells at heavyweight like Alexander Gustafsson, Ovince St. Preux, and former heavyweight champion and UFC hall of famer Daniel Cormier.
The current number one ranked heavyweight and former interim champion Ciryl Gane (11-1) is the perfect opponent to challenge for the vacant belt.
The Frenchman was the last person to fight former champion Francis Ngannou, and having bounced back against dangerous contender Tai Tuivasa in Paris with impressive style leaves no doubt.
You may look at the 32-year-old’s record and ask why he’s competing at the upper end of the rankings, but an extensive kickboxing record has rapidly propelled him upward.
With a 6’4″ (193cm) height and reach of 81.0″ (206cm), ‘Bon Gamin’s’ frame is heavyweight material, but the way he utilizes it puts him on the biggest stage of his life.
Verdict: Jones 11/20
A heavyweight boat like this is often thought of as a battle between brawn alone. But Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane is the furthest from such notions. A heavyweight battle with high fight IQ coupled with excellent movement is on the cards!
Jones says he wants this fight to look easy, so looking for the takedown must be his number one priority considering the lack of defensive wrestling quality Gane displayed in his only loss.
While wrestling is the obvious path to victory, Jones’ striking is unique when compared to any other fighter and seeking permanent damage to opponents through hyper extending elbows in the clinch, attacking the knee with oblique kicks, and unique hand fighting elbows to slice open opponents.
However, Gane pride’s himself in his movement and does well to avoid finding his back to the cage. Just like Jones, the game of range is well utilized by Gane to invite his opponents to make hasty moves and counter with knockout power. This fight is undoubtedly going to be one of the best chess matches the UFC has witnessed!
Co-Main Event
Valentina Shevchenko 1/9 | Alexa Grasso 44/10
Our second title bout occurs in the co-main event as current UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion, Valentina ‘Bullet’ Shevchenko (23-3) defends her title against the number six ranked contender, Alexa Grasso (15-3).
I would be selling this one very short by saying Shevchenko has the edge here. The 34-year-old champion out-ranks Mexico’s 29-year-old across every facet of mixed martial arts and is more likely to be truly challenged by the likes of Blanchfield or Santos, rather than Grasso, but Alexa could give us the upset of the night and swipe the belt.
Since joining the UFC flyweight division, Valentina racked up an utterly dominant nine-fight win streak, and edges closer to the title defence record (11), should she win against Grasso.
Alexa’s four-fight win streak cannot be ignored, but overlooking her stumbles to Carla Esparza and Tatiana Suarez leaves doubt they she will cut it at the top end of the division let alone against the champion.
Verdict: Shevchenko Win 1/9
Valentina Shevchenko is undoubtedly one of the scariest female fighters to showcase her skills on the professional stage.
Kyrgyzstan’s ‘Bullet’ has striking of the highest level, and when her wrestling was criticized, she displayed dominant back-to-back grappling performances. There is no other result here other than ‘and still’, so just enjoy her while she puts together another masterpiece.
South Africa in the UFC
Dricus du Plessis (18-2) is the first African fighter, fighting out of Africa to break the top 10 rankings across any weight division, and he is primed and ready to jump right to the top of the middleweight rankings.
The 29-year-old is set to lock horns with number six ranked middleweight Derek Brunson (23-8), who was poised to fight for a title after relinquishing a five-fight win streak to Jared Cannonier in 2021. It’s going to be fireworks on the preliminary card.
Another budding South African fighter, Cameron Saaiman (7-0), is ready to light up the early prelims against fellow Dana White Contender Series alumni Mana Martinez (10-3).
The 28-year-old Texan is 2-1 in the UFC after his second split decision win back in October, while 22-year-old Saaiman picked up an impressive TKO victory in his UFC debut last year.
Both are high-intensity and well-rounded fighters – from striking, to wrestling, to jiu-jitsu. Punters are not in for a treat, as Cameron does not boast much value, but for viewing pleasure, it’ll be a delight!
Top Treble for UFC 285:
Jon Jones Win 11/20
Jalin Turner Win 33/20
Ribovics Win 39/20
Treble to win at 11/1
Full card predictions
Main Card: 05:00 CAT, Sunday 5 March
- Heavyweight (C) Jon Jones (11/20) vs Ciryl Gane (13/10): Jones
- Flyweight (w)(C) Valentina Shevchenko (1/9) vs Alexa Grasso (44/10): Shevchenko
- Welterweight Geoff Neal (7/2) vs Shavkat Rakhmonov (17/100): Rakhmonov
- Lightweight Mateusz Gamrot (42/100) vs Jalin Turner (33/20): Turner
- Middleweight Bo Nickal (1/20) vs Jamie Pickett (7/4): Nickal
Prelims: 03:00 CAT, Sunday 5 March
- Bantamweight Cody Garbrandt (53/100) vs Trevin Jones (13/10): Garbrandt
- Middleweight Derek Brunson (7/4) vs Dricus du Plessis (4/10): du Plessis
- Flyweight (w) Viviane Araújo (94/100) vs Amanda Ribas (74/100): Araújo
- Middleweight Julian Marquez (12/10) vs Marc-André Barriault (59/100): Marquez
Early Prelims: 00:30 CAT, Sunday 5 March
- Welterweight Ian Garry (1/9) vs Song Kenan (44/10): Garry
- Bantamweight Cameron Saaiman (3/10) vs Leomana Martinez (9/4): Saaiman
- Strawweight (w) Jessica Penne (22/10) vs Tabatha Ricci (3/10): Ricci
- Bantamweight Da’Mon Blackshear (31/10) vs Farid Basharat (19/100): Basharat
- Lightweight Esteban Ribovics (39/20) vs Loik Radzhabov (34/100): Ribovics
