MMA Preview – Jon Jones vs Cyril Gane at UFC 285
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JON JONES VS CYRIL GANE FACTS
When is UFC 285? Sunday 5th March, 2023 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 285? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 285? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 285
What channel is UFC 285 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 285? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
JON JONES VS CYRIL GANE LOWDOWN
Jon Jones (26-1(1)) is back. Regardless of his extra-curricular activities and polarizing behaviour, the man fills out arenas because he is arguably the best Mixed Martial Artist that has ever graced the sport. Arrests and bans have prevented any chance of regular activity and since he knocked out Daniel Cormier (2017 – later overturned to a ‘no contest’), he has only fought four times. He ruthlessly knocked out Alexander Gustafsson (2018) to claim the vacant light heavyweight strap and defended it in less convincing decisions to Anthony Smith (2019), Thiago Santos (2019) and Dominick Reyes (2020).
He now begins a new chapter up at heavyweight and is welcomed back by Cyril Gane (11-1). The super talented Frenchman took seven UFC fights to earn a title shot making light work of elite contenders including Junior dos Santos (2020 – TKO), Jairzinho Rozenstruik (2021 – unanimous decision), Alexander Volkov (2021 – unanimous decision) and Derrick Lewis (2021 – TKO). That led him into the title path of Francis Ngannou who surprised everyone by lacing up some wrestling boots for the fight. He grinded out a decision, but Gane has recently bounced back by putting on a clinic against Tai Tuivasa (2022) knocking him out in the third round.
JON JONES VS CYRIL GANE PREDICTION
Jones moves up to heavyweight and has been out for three years. His decisions against Santos and Reyes could have easily been losses but we still have to expect to see one of the best fighters on the roster.
He is the favourite, mainly due to the simple fact that Ngannou was able to take Gane down and Jones is an elite wrestler. Some say USADA have taken away his powers, but the truth is, he still has the skillset, mentality and frame to become a heayweight champion.
That said, he has never fought anyone like Gane before. He is a natural heavyweight who moves like a 205er. He has speed, power and like Jones, is an expert from range who can cripple the legs.
We expect them to trade kicks with Jones opening up with his vicious oblique kicks to the knee and Gane’s chopping kicks to the thigh and piercing front kick to the gut. Gane will need to be persistent with his kicks as Jones will want to close the distance and blast elbows from all angles.
Jones does not possess threatening knockout power in his hands, but he will be more explosive up at heavyweight and his head kick will be money. We expect him to start patient and call upon his wealth of championship experience to orchestrate the rounds mixing in long strikes, clinches and wrestling.
Jones’ grappling and experience swing this in his favour for us despite the time off. However, it is hard to count Gane out. He is arguably the most dangerous striker Jones has faced, but he needs to keep the fight at a distance for five rounds or knock him out.
Jones has a granite chin and the nous on the feet to disable and freeze Gane. Then, as the fight goes on, he can grind the Frenchman down with his grappling and even secure a late finish.
We can see Gane overwhelming Jones on the feet especially if he chops the legs down early. There is value on him considering the odds and Jones’ inactivity, but we are leaning towards to the bad guy.
Prediction: Jones via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Gane to win
