UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane Odds, Predictions and Pre-Weigh-in Hype
Jon Jones will make his long-awaited heavyweight debut at UFC 285 to cap off a deep card with high stakes and well-known names throughout the schedule.
The longtime light heavyweight kingpin will try his hand at winning the championship in the organization's biggest division. Bones has taken years to reshape his body from the 205-pound version we've seen dominate to the more muscular one we will see fight Ciryl Gane.
The two will fight for the title that was vacated by Francis Ngannou. He departed UFC entirely in January, and his exit has left the heavyweight division in a state of flux.
While the division of giants will start a new era, Valentina Shevchenko will look to continue her dynasty in the women's flyweight division when she defends her belt against Alexa Grasso.
It's the kind of card that's going to worth tuning in for early and settling in for a great night of fights. Here's the complete schedule, odds and the latest buzz before the weigh-ins.
UFC 285 Fight Card, Schedule and Odds
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Main Card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
- Jon Jones -165 ($165 bet wins $100) vs. Ciryl Gane +140 ($100 bet wins $140): Heavyweight Championship
- Valentina Shevchenko (c) -750 vs. Alexa Grasso +550: Women's Flyweight Championship
- Geoff Neal +390 vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov -490
- Mateusz Gamrot -225 vs. Jalin Turner +190
- Bo Nickal -1500 vs. Jamie Pickett +900
Prelims (ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)
- Cody Garbrandt -175 vs. Trevin Jones +150
- Derek Brunson +190 vs. Dricus Du Plessis -225
- Viviane Araújo +100 vs. Amanda Ribas -120
- Julian Marquez +130 vs. Marc-André Barriault -150
Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass at 6:15 p.m. ET)
- Ian Machado Garry -730 vs. Song Kenan +530
- Mana Martinez +255 vs. Cameron Saaiman -305
- Jessica Penne +250 vs. Tabatha Ricci -300
- Da'Mon Blackshear +360 vs. Farid Basharat -450
- Esteban Ribovics +230 vs. Loik Radzhabov -275
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Jones Excited About Challenge of Heavyweight Move
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Several of the greatest MMA fighters of all time have proved their skills in multiple weight classes.
Georges St-Pierre won the middleweight title in addition to his welterweight mastery. Anderson Silva made cameo appearances as a light heavyweight while owning the middleweight title for years. Daniel Cormier was an elite light heavyweight and heavyweight.
Jon Jones hopes to add a similar bullet point to his resume. No one at light heavyweight, including Cormier, has been able to best Bones in the Octagon. So, he's classified his move to heavyweight as one borne out of boredom more or less.
"I stopped studying footage as much, I started just looking forward to just another day at the office," Jones told Jimmy Smith on Unlocking the Cage. "The fear was gone. I didn't really fear these guys."
Now the 35-year-old gets his opportunity to feel a little nervous again. He's never had superior one-punch power, and he's now in a division that is filled with guys who do.
Still, Jones is, arguably, the most skilled fighter on the planet and that can make up for a lack of power. This one will be fascinating, but it's hard to ignore what he brings as a wrestler in addition to his creative striking.
Prediction: Jones via decision
Valentina Shevchenko Relying on Being More Well-Rounded Fighter
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Alexa Grasso's boxing is impressive. Valentina Shevchenko doesn't deny that.
The 29-year-old Mexican has relied on her striking skills to earn this title shot. She's on a four-fight winning streak, with three of those victories coming by decision. She isn't a knockout artist, but she does well layering combinations with her jab and controlling the fight.
Shevchenko has already given her the credit she's due in that department.
"Yes, of course (her boxing is good), but there's a difference here: We're fighting MMA, not boxing," the 34-year-old told Danny Segura of MMA Junkie. "I know that her background is boxing and striking, but that doesn't mean she's not going to use all the weapons she can use in MMA. The strategy is different for the fight.
That's not going to be enough against Shevchenko, though.
The champion has been dominant because she's one of the most versatile fighters in the sport. She can win bouts with her kickboxing, but she'll also maul someone in the clinch and can even go to her wrestling if it suits her.
Taila Santos forced Shevchenko to show some vulnerability in her last bout. She won by split decision to extend her winning streak to nine, but the Brazilian threatened with her wrestling and Grasso doesn't necessarily have that gear.
Prediction: Shevchenko via fourth-round TKO
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Neal Not Buying Rakhmonov Hype
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Shavkat Rakhmonov comes into Saturday's fight against Geoff Neal as a massive favorite. The undefeated welterweight is thought to be a future title contender, and his American opponent isn't that far removed from losses to Neil Magny and Stephen Thompson.
Neal doesn't care about the odds, though. He views himself as an easy pick.
"I really feel he's just good everywhere," the 32-year-old told Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie. "I haven't seen anything that's spectacular that he does. Just as long as my cardio is there and I'm focused mentally, I think I'll take the win. Easy."
Neal said that in December ahead of their fight that was booked for January but scrapped due to an injury to the Texan. Now, he'll get the chance to back up those words.
Admittedly, the odds here are a little disrespectful to Neal. He looked outstanding in his knockout win over Vicente Luque last time out, and he's the best fighter Rhakmonov has seen to date.
Neal is durable and defensively sound. The problem is that the Kazakh fighter has just been so physically dominant that it's hard to project if his rival's defense and toughness are enough to outlast the 28-year-old.
Neal may have to take the moral victory of getting Rakhmonov to the third round.
Prediction: Rhakmonov via third-round TKO
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