UFC 285: <\/strong>Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Jon Jones?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, will make his long-awaited debut in the heavyweight division after dominating the light heavyweight division for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He debuted in August 2008 against Andre Gusmao and picked up a unanimous decision victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shortly after, \u201cBones\u201d collected two wins over Stephen Bonnar and Jake O\u2019Brien to extend his streak to three. However, in his fourth UFC bout, Jones suffered a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill in December 2009 due to illegal elbow strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jones continued his meteoric rise to the sport by scoring three straight stoppage wins over Brandon Vera, Vladimir Matyushenko, and Ryan Bader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These victories earned him the right to challenge Mauricio Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title in March 2011, and Jones maximized the opportunity, by TKOing Rua in the third round of their title showdown to become the youngest UFC champion in history at just 23 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fighter out of Rochester, New York, continued his dominant reign in the 205-pound division with eight successive title defenses against Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira, Daniel Cormier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before leaving the light heavyweight division for good, Jones added three more title defenses over Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, and Dominick Reyes to cement his status as the greatest UFC Light Heavyweight Champion of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Ciryl Gane?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBon Gamin\u201d made his UFC debut in August 2019 and impressed quickly by submitting Raphael Pessoa in the opening round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gane followed it up with two more victories against Don\u2019Tale Mayes and Tanner Bosser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of these impressive wins, the Frenchman started a hype train behind him, which was tested when he faced and TKO’ed former heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos in December 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 32-year-old sustained his momentum by beating Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Volkov unanimously in February and June 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those five straight wins under the promotion were enough for Gane to be pitted against UFC\u2019s knockout king Derrick Lewis in August 2021 for the interim heavyweight title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following that interim title triumph, the Paris native fought his former sparring partner Francis Ngannou for the heavyweight unification title match in January 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, he came up short against Ngannou, who outlasted him via unanimous decision and retained his coveted belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his most recent fight, Gane headlined the first-ever UFC event in his home country, France, where he locked horns with Tai Tuivasa. \u201cBon Gamin\u201d gave local fans victory by knocking out Tuivasa in the third round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The fight is highly unpredictable because no one knows what Jones is going to look like after more than three years away from the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It will be a massive match for both athletes because if Jones wins, he will stamp his status as the greatest MMA fighter of all time; meanwhile, if Gane gets the victory, he will be the first man to beat Jones in an MMA match legitimately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stylistically, it will be a clash between two different fighting styles because Jones has a strong background in Greco-Roman wrestling and Gane parading his Muay Thai foundation, which is heavy on striking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key for Jones is for him to take the fight on the ground, as Gane had troubles in that aspect, evident in his loss to Ngannou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, Gane\u2019s path to triumph is for him to stop the takedown attempts, impose his bigger body frame, and stay on the feet, where he can fully utilize his lethal striking combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His welterweight-like agility and mobility will also play a significant role in keeping the distance between him and Jones, thus preventing a clinch battle with the former light heavyweight champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Gane successfully avoids being taken down, it will be a long night for Jones as he can continuously pour on his powerful strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is going to be one exciting match, but we expect Ciryl Gane to take the victory in this highly anticipated fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 285: <\/strong>Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Valentina Shevchenko?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shevchenko has ruled the women’s flyweight division with an iron fist since she won the title back in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four finishes in seven fights have solidified her position as the greatest woman to ever fight in the flyweight division, but a victory over Alexa Grasso will add to her claims of being one of the greatest fighters to ever compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shevchenko has looked pretty much untouchable in all of her fights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Alexa Grasso?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Grasso will have her first title fight with the UFC, which for any fighter is undoubtedly an important career moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But beyond the personal milestone, Grasso (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) will become the first Mexico-born woman to challenge for a UFC championship belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grasso is unbeaten since moving up to 125 pounds. She\u2019s racked up four consecutive wins, defeating notable names such as Viviane Araujo, Joanne Wood, Maycee Barber, and Ji Yeon Kim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although she\u2019s shown a good ground game in her performances, both defensively and offensively speaking, Grasso has enamored fans and pundits with her technical boxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Grasso’s switch from strawweight to women’s flyweight in 2020 has turned out to be a fantastic move as she’s been able to showcase her skills without having to deal with a draining weight cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She’s now able to utilize her stellar boxing skills and underrated grappling and not have to worry about her cardio as much as before, which has helped her win four fights in a row en route to her title fights against Shevchenko.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grasso will want to keep the fight standing, which is exactly where Shevchenko will want to keep it as well as she’ll be able to keep the Mexican at distance with a plethora of kicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the fight hits the floor, Grasso has a very good ground game, but she most likely won’t be good enough to submit Shevchenko whose ground game is very underrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The challenger will give it everything she’s got, but Valentina should come away with a victory in this fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 285: <\/strong>Geoff Neal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Geoff Neal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Neal rides into this fight as a major underdog, but with a two-fight win streak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His performance against Vicente Luque last time out was the best of his career, a surgical dissection of a durable and dangerous knockout artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neal is an excellent physical talent in his own right, and he\u2019s hitting his stride just in time for a serious challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has some of the heaviest hands at 170 lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Southpaw kickboxer, Neal offensively likes to play the double threat game with his left kick and left hand, but he\u2019s proven himself a slick counter-puncher as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Shavkat Rakhmonov?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rakhmonov is a master of the sport in both combat Sambo and MMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the cage, that translates to being dang good at just about everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s a nasty kickboxer with brutal knees and kicks, can overpower opponents with his wrestling, and excels at snatching up the neck in exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNomad\u201d is a tremendously well-rounded finisher who seldom lets opponents survive to even the third round, and the great thing about being so well-rounded is that Rakhmonov can adjust his approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Geoff Neal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In this bout, Neal has to get aggressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having good distance management isn\u2019t enough against a wrestler like Rakhmonov \u2014 that skill needs to be elite for an outside striking game plan to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, I\u2019d like to see Neal working behind his straight punches and trying to back Rakhmonov up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He can match Rakhmonov\u2019s length better than most, and he has the power to force his opponent\u2019s respect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When backed up, Neal has a couple of reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Typically, he\u2019ll either angle off or burst forward with combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If he\u2019s circling away, \u201cNomad\u201d should be looking to cut him off with kicks. Should Neal get aggressive, however, that\u2019s the perfect time to change levels and wrestle, and we believe Nomad will make the best of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 285: <\/strong>Mateusz Gamrot vs. Jalin Turner<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Mateusz Gamrot?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s easy to forget that Gamrot is just six fights into his UFC career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former KSW kingpin jumped right into the deep end of the Lightweight division, establishing himself as a top contender and title threat when he surprised Arman Tsarukyan in a main-event thriller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He came up short against Beneil Dariush, but he did once again show the grit that earned him the \u201cGamer\u201d moniker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s stopped two of his four UFC wins via knockout, has proven himself an excellent offensive and defensive wrestler, and he\u2019s a rather experienced competition grappler with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt to boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Jalin Turner?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Turner has quietly demolished five straight foes at 155 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Massive for the division and a potent finisher, \u201cThe Tarantula\u201d is a divisional dark horse, but he\u2019s earned his chance to break into the Top 10 here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turner has an absurd size advantage over most of the Lightweight division. He\u2019s not weak for the division, either, which is common for lankier fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, Turner has considerable power and an aggressive submission game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Jalin Turner Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Striking with someone like Turner is never that fun. He\u2019s got a good combination of reach and power, meaning he can hit from unusual positions thus ending the fight immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s little margin for error, meaning even a smart kickboxing game plan can backfire quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gamrot moves around a lot, but his entries tend to be in straight lines. Teep kicks, straight punches, uppercuts \u2014 any shot fired that can cause a collision when Gamrot moves forward should be the focus for Turner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, Turner should be looking to punish failed shots. Gamrot has a habit of taking long-distance shots, even trying low-percentage moves like the low single.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He gets away with it because he\u2019s a great wrestler with an endless gas tank, but there\u2019s a reason this is generally frowned upon from a strategic standpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Gamrot puts himself out of position, Turner has to be looking to capitalize. A single strike from \u201cThe Tarantula\u201d can end the contest, particularly if Gamrot isn\u2019t ready for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 285: <\/strong>Jamie Pickett vs. Bo Nickal<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Jamie Pickett?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pickett, meanwhile, doesn\u2019t exactly have the same level of hype behind him as his current opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Contenders Series product has won two of his six trips to the Octagon, and he\u2019s not exactly being set up for success in this match-up as a massive underdog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s been grounded out before by less accomplished grapplers, and at 34 years of age, he\u2019s unlikely to suddenly take a massive step forward in terms of ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Bo Nickal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nickal is such a ridiculously accomplished wrestler that those skills alone could carry him far up the ladder, but he\u2019s been a prominent training partner of great fighters at American Top Team for years now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looks well-rounded and composed already, an instant threat to any 185-pound athlete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s genuinely one of the most talented wrestlers to ever compete inside the Octagon, but beyond that, he\u2019s shown slick submission chaining, good distance management, and natural punching power to complement that wrestling skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jamie Pickett vs. Bo Nickal Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Since the beginning, Nickal has been demanding elite competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He hasn\u2019t quite earned a ranked opponent yet, but if he continues demolishing everyone with ease, he\u2019ll get there quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should Nickal open the main card with yet another effortless finish, perhaps he\u2019ll score an opponent in the Top 10-15 range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worst case, UFC decides to build him slower, which probably just equates to more paychecks and exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for Pickett, he\u2019s probably fighting to avoid his UFC release. That\u2019s not exactly fair since he\u2019s fighting the sport\u2019s best prospect, but his overall UFC record doesn\u2019t afford him any favors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This fight should be a showcase fight for Bo Nickal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 285: <\/strong>Cody Garbrandt vs. Trevin Jones<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Cody Garbrandt?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s now been more than six years since Cody Garbrandt (12-5) upset Dominick Cruz to claim UFC\u2019s Bantamweight belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He now sits at 1-5 in his last six bouts, four of those losses coming inside the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 285 ends a nearly 15-month layoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Trevin Jones?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trevin Jones (13-9) burst onto the scene with upset knockouts of Timur Valiev and Mario Bautista, though the former was ultimately overturned because of a failed drug test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His efforts earned him a Murderer\u2019s Row of opponents, resulting in consecutive decision losses to Saidyokub Kakhramonov, Javid Basharat, and Raoni Barcelos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cody Garbrandt vs. Trevin Jones Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The saddest thing about Garbrandt\u2019s current state is that he\u2019s trying to make adjustments, tightening up his striking and leaning more on his wrestling, but it\u2019s just not working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While he\u2019s not exactly losing to chumps, there\u2019s the distinct impression that what made him so special is gone for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jones is extremely durable \u2014 a functional grappler who possesses sneaky power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this stage in Garbrandt\u2019s career, that looks like enough to put away \u201cNo Love.\u201d Indeed, in the end, Jones clips him inside the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 285: <\/strong>Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Derek Brunson?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Derek Brunson\u2019s (23-8) unexpected rise into contention appeared to have petered out after a 2-4 skid, only for him to rattle off another five consecutive victories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then came Jared Cannonier, who came back to stop Brunson late in the second round and secure a title shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Dricus Du Plessis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStillknocks\u201d \u2014 the former EFC and KSW champion \u2014 has now won six straight since falling to the lethal Roberto Soldic in their 2018 rematch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His four-fight UFC runs most recently saw him choke out Darren Till to secure his second post-fight bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All but one of his wins have come inside the distance, 10 of them by submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
On the one hand, Du Plessis\u2019 frantic, all-athleticism approach is exactly the sort of style that Brunson has feasted on during his current resurgence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, Brunson looked more, well, Brunson than ever against Cannonier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The power and wrestling technique is still there, but the speed\u2019s just about gone and the bad striking habits are more prominent than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this stage in Brunson\u2019s career, he can\u2019t stand up to the younger, faster Du Plessis in a swang-and-bang slugfest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not like Du Plessis is a poor wrestler, either, so Brunson can\u2019t offset the physical discrepancies by turning it into a grind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This should go a lot like Burnson\u2019s loss to Cannonier, with Du Plessis just having more in the tank after a wild and competitive first round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 285: <\/strong>Viviane Araujo vs. Amanda Ribas<\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Viviane Araujo?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Viviane Araujo (11-4) battled her way to a 5-2 UFC start highlighted by her one-punch knockout of Talita Bernardo and comeback decision over Andrea Lee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This led to a main event against Alexa Grasso, who out-lasted \u201cVivi\u201d to a five-round decision win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her professional finishes are split 3\/4 between knockouts and submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Amanda Ribas?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Amanda Ribas (11-3) put a three-year USADA suspension behind her to win her first four UFC bouts, including a dominant decision over then-unbeaten Mackenzie Dern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She\u2019s since dropped two of three, most recently losing a split decision to Katlyn Chookagian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Viviane Araujo vs. Amanda Ribas Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The knock on Araujo has always been her cardio, which once let her down so badly that she lost to Jessica Eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though she fell short against an elite striker in Grasso, the fact that she went five good rounds suggests that she might be able to sustain her preferred pace now, which is bad news for Ribas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latter has shown a distinct lack of durability and striking defense during her time in the Octagon, giving the fast, more powerful Araujo a clear path to victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all moot if Ribas can take her down and use her impressive top game, of course, but Araujo\u2019s historically stout takedown defense should allow her to strike without fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In short, \u201cVivi\u2019s\u201d right hand finally claims another victim in the early going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n