After three years of waiting, the fight world finally sees Jon Jones back in the cage this Saturday.
One of the sport’s most recognizable stars—known for his dominance in the Octagon, as well as a string of ugly incidents with the law—Jones fights Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight championship at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.
The fight has caught the attention of people inside and outside the sport, including pro wrestling legend Bill Goldberg.
“I’ve got my opinions about Jon Jones,” Goldberg said this week. “We all grow up. Does he deserve another chance? I guess. He is a huge draw.”
Jones’s controversy includes a hit-and-run conviction and an arrest following domestic violence. Those are offenses that would get most fired, but as Goldberg noted, Jones is a major superstar for the UFC and one who people are willing to pay to watch compete.
Goldberg has a unique perspective on MMA. He fully grasps the importance of capitalizing on the right timing, which is an integral component of pro wrestling—and perhaps one that was narrowly missed here in this Jones fight.
“A year ago, this fight would have been blown out of the atmosphere,” says Goldberg. “Right now, there are still a lot of people who are going to tune in, and a lot of people that haven’t tuned who are going to tune in because Jones is back. I don’t know, maybe it’s a little too late. But I’ll tell you this, I’ll be watching.”
Jones and Valentina Shevchenko top the card, but there is a lot to like about UFC 285
UFC 285 will be built almost entirely around the return of Jones, who last fought more than three years ago. Jones against Gane should meet or even exceed the hype, especially considering these are two versatile and athletic heavyweights. The great Valentina Shevchenko also defends her flyweight title on the card, looking to fend off a determined challenger in Alexa Grasso.
And there is a lot more to like on this card.
Bo Nickal makes his UFC debut in the opening bout of the main card. Nickal (3–0) is matched up against Jamie Pickett, who has been placed in this fight to serve as the answer to the trivia question of who was Nickal’s first UFC win. Pickett (13–8) is a journeyman, and this needs to be a dominant victory for Nickal.
Jalin Turner looks to jump in the lightweight rankings in his bout against Mateusz Gamrot. Initially, this was supposed to be Turner (13–5) against Dan Hooker, but a change was necessary after Hooker suffered an injury.
I didn’t like Turner’s chances against Hooker, and I like them even less against Gamrot (21–2, 1 NC). After suffering a one-sided defeat to Beneil Dariush in October, this is a much-needed opportunity for Gamrot to bounce back—which is why he accepted this bout on short notice. That will be followed by wrecking ball Shavkat Rakhmonov against Geoff Neal. Rakhmonov (16–0) is looking for his 17th straight finish, and a victory against Neal (15–4) would represent his most significant win to date in the UFC.
This has the potential to be an outstanding first three fights, all with the anticipation of the final two title bouts still brewing.
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French celebrities in attendance for UFC 285 won’t include Kylian Mbappé
French celebrities may be in attendance for UFC 285—but those in attendance likely won’t include Kylian Mbappé.
The French soccer star is a friend of Gane, but it is unlikely he will be able to make the trip to Las Vegas this weekend.
“The schedule is difficult,” says Gane. “I don’t think he’ll be there, but I have some other friends coming.”
Grasso looking to pull off monumental upset
Grasso is hungry to deliver an upset against Valentina Shevchenko, taking her flyweight title in the process.
A talented boxer, Grasso (15–3) needs to find a way to seize control against Shevchenko (23–3). Unless you are Amanda Nunes, that simply hasn’t happened on a consistent basis against Nunes—yet that is not deterring Grasso from achieving her goal.
“I’ve been training so long to reach this moment,” says Grasso. “I’ve been waiting for 10 years as a pro. I’m going to make the most of it.”
Shevchenko has successfully executed a takedown in every single one of her UFC fights. If she brings Grasso to the ground, then it is only a matter of time before she gets the submission victory. Grasso’s defense must be on point to have a shot against the champ.
“I am a complete athlete,” says Grasso. “This my chance to show that. I’m training with my multiple weapons, wrestling and jiujitsu.
“Every single day I think about the sacrifices I made to make it this far. My heart and my desire to win are way bigger. I’m ready for this moment.”
ONE Championship adds Roberto Soldić to debut event in America
In the non–UFC 285 department, ONE Championship added Roberto Soldić to its debut event in the U.S., where he will fight Zebaztian Kadestam at ONE Fight Night 10 in May.
Soldic (20–3, 1 NC) hasn’t lost since April 2018. His first fight for ONE ended in a no-decision last December after being on the receiving end of an accidental groin strike from Murad Ramazanov, but the dominant striker now has the chance to be the breakout star on a major card.
This should be an incredibly hard-hitting bout. It shouldn’t take long for a finish but will be exciting to watch for however long it lasts.
The Pick ‘Em Section:
UFC 285 heavyweight title bout: Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane
Pick: Jon Jones
UFC 285 women’s flyweight title bout: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso
Pick: Valentina Shevchenko
UFC 285 welterweight bout: Geoff Neal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Pick: Shavkat Rakhmonov
UFC 285 lightweight bout: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Jalin Turner
Pick: Mateusz Gamrot
UFC 285 middleweight bout: Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett
Pick: Bo Nickal
Last week: 3–1
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
