UFC 285, slated for March 4, promises to be one of the biggest events of the year as it will see the clash between two monsters in Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title.
Jones’ Heavyweight Debut
Jones is a two-time light heavyweight champion, with 11 title defenses between 2011 and 2020. Considered by most to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time, including his boss Dana White. This fight marks his heavyweight division debut after a nearly three-year hiatus from the Octagon.
His absence from the fights was largely due to a dispute with the promoting company.
Jones had controversial decision wins over Dominick Reyes and Thiago Santos in his last two fights. In fact, a Bones tweet minimized his next rival and said that Thiago Santos is much better in a Twitter thread.
“Man I just finished watching my Thiago Santos fight again. I think it’s crazy that you guys consider Gane the most technical kickboxer I’ve ever faced. Everything Thiago did had bad intentions on it. Dude had lightning speed, power, explosiveness. Crazy versatility.”
“Gane’s last three opponents had terrible defense. Those guys couldn’t stop a kick if their life depended on it. He’s fought flat-footed boxers his last three fights.”
Personal Problems
Jones has stated that he has gone through several personal problems in recent months. Some even questioned whether his mental health is okay. A police body cam video was released in February 2022, showing Bones behaving erratically and banging his head against a police car.
In addition to having problems with his fiancée, Jones has admitted that he deals with some anxiety issues. When a fan asked the fighter how he was feeling, Jones said, “I can deal with the embarrassment, it’s the loneliness that gets me. Taking things one day at a time.”
“I really do hope he gets help.” @AngieOverkill and @RyanMcKinnell talk about Jon Jones’ mental health after bodycam footage was released from the Vegas arrest pic.twitter.com/64vieIXQjV
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) February 23, 2022
The Interim Champion
Gane is currently the interim champion of the division and the best opponent to face Jones.
In his last three fights, he has faced big names in the industry, such as Derrick Lewis, Francis Ngannou, and Tai Tuivasa.
His most recent victory was against “Bam Bam” Tuivasa in his native France.
Gane feels somewhat confident since Bones last fought almost three years ago, but this could cost him. Although Jones has not stepped inside an octagon, he has trained daily, while Gane has admitted that he only trains when a fight is announced.
“I only train when a fight is announced. I had my fight against Tuivasa, barely trained since then, and now I’m back it since the Jones fight has been announced,” Gane told La Sueur.
“If I look back at my career, this a regret. I love grappling but unfortunately, I’m lazy, that’s the truth. I only train when a fight is announced. I have a lot of media obligations. Professional opportunities outside of the sport, you can’t say no to all these things. I also have to give time to my family, rest well.”
A Consolation Prize
The fight between Jones and Gane has fans of the UFC and bettors crazy, especially those who will be able to start betting in March.
All the odds have been provided by DraftKings. Head over to DraftKings Massachusetts to get the latest promos as online sports betting is about to be legalized in the state.
It promises to be an excellent fan-pleasing fight, but what everyone really wanted to see was Jones take on Ngannou. Sadly, that fight is probably never going to happen.
When it comes to the main event of UFC 285, things are even between the two, but Jones has a slight edge over Gane; he is more experienced, methodical, a slick striker, and a submission specialist; it doesn’t matter that this will be his first fight as a heavyweight. Jones knows what to do.
Gane will not make things easy for Bones, but his grappling is not very good, and this is something that his opponent can exploit.
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