Jon “Bones” Jones RETURNS! UFC 285 Preview

After a 3 year hiatus, the GOAT of the UFC returns… No not Connor McGregor, Jon “BONES” JONES.

UFC 285, is in the best city in the world… Las Vegas. The main card might not look as stacked as normal, but from top to bottom this is a great card. Plenty of big fights are happening in the Prelims, which usually always deliver great fights.

Here’s my preview for my favorite 2 prelim fights and all the PPV fights!

Match 7: #5 Derek Brunson (+190) Vs #10 Dricus Du Plessis (-225)

Imagine seeing these two names and realizing this is the 2nd to last fight on a PRELIM card. Dana White loves throwing good fights right before the PPV event starts. Derek Brunson finds himself in a tough test against Dricus, who holds a record of 18-2. In my opinion, Derek Brunson is getting great value in this spot. He has fought the best competition in the last 5 years and since 2018, he only has had one loss. We all know Du Plessis is an up and coming star, but he will take a speed bump this weekend when he faces his toughest competition yet in Derek Brunson.

Prediction: Derek Brunson wins this fight while going the distance. (+165)

Best Bet: Derek Brunson +190

Match 6: Cody Garbrandt (-170) Vs Trevin Jones (+145)

Once UFC star, Cody Garbrandt finds himself headlining the prelim card in a bout against Trevin Jones. Each fighter finds themselves on a 2 fight-losing streak and needs a win to keep their name on the UFC roster. I have no idea who Trevin Jones is and was going to pick him to win the fight until I saw his record was 14-9-1. Cody on the other hand has also had his fair share of struggles over the past couple of years. The difference? Cody has been fighting top notch talent. This smells like a UFC spot where they are giving Garbrandt a free win to keep his UFC career afloat.

Prediction: Garbrandt wins this fight with a TKO stoppage in the 2nd round

Best Bet: Garbrandt via KO (+120)

Match 5: Bo Nickal (-2000) Vs Jamie Pickett (+900)

If you don’t know who Bo Nickal is learn the name real fast because he’s going to be a champion one day whether you like it or not. Here are some highlights from his historic wrestling career at Penn State.

He’s making his UFC debut (competed twice in DWCS). There’s a reason why Dana put him as the opening fight of a highly anticipated PPV card. They want you to learn his name quickly and the odds reflect he should get it done easily this weekend.

Prediction: All the odds are saying Bo Nickal ends this fight fast. I’m predicting a first-round submission (even odds)…

Best Bet: Bo Nickal Submission 1st Round (Even)

Match 4: #7 Mateusz Gamrot (-210) Vs #10 Jalin Turner (+170)

The first competitive fight on the main card kicks off between two lightweights trying to keep their climb up the rankings. Gamrot is filling in for an injured Dan Hooker and instantly took the big betting favorite. He holds a record of 21-2 but is coming off a loss in his previous fight. He will look to use his wrestling game against Jalin Turner who has quickly found himself in the rankings after rattling off 5 straight wins. Everything I’m reading is saying he’s at a massive disadvantage in his wrestling game. I understand he’s a striker, but let’s not forget he’s had three submissions while also adding 2 KOs during his win streak. None of those fights made it out of the 2nd round. Turner has a chance to prove he’s a title contender if he’s able to pull off the win this weekend.

Prediction: Jalin Turner wins this fight and proves he’s a contender. I’m not sure how he gets it done but at +170 or higher the value is too good not to take.

Best Bet: Jalin Turner (+170)

Match 3: #7 Geoff Neal (+390) Vs #9 Shavkat Rakhmonov (-590)

A welterweight clash between two fighters in the top 10, but the odds reflect what’s really going to happen. Shavkat sits undefeated with a record of 16-0 and can get it done in any way possible. Neal on the other hand finds himself with a record of 16-4. Rakhmonov has been able to finish all 5 of his UFC fights inside the distance, and this weekend will be no different.

Prediction: Light work for the #9 ranked. He Finishes Neal in the first or second round. Finishing by submission is (+175) and KO is (+195). Take your choice or bet both.

Best Bet: Shavkat to win in round two (+430)

Match 2: (C) Valentina Shevchenko (-610) Vs #6 Alexa Grasso (+460)

Another fight where the odds easily show the outcome of the fight. The last time I said this about a woman’s fight is when this happened to Amanda Nunez.

Guess who had Amanda Nunez in all their parlays that weekend just so they could win a couple of extra McChickens on top of their winnings… that’s right this guy. Will Grasso be next on the list for big upsets? Hell no. Valentina is too good and nothing will change about that this weekend.

Prediction: Valentina has only won by decision twice in a row once in her career. You can get her to win by decision at +175 right now, but I think she will win this fight inside the distance. (-105)

Best Bet: Valentina wins by KO (+230)… also sprinkling 2nd round KO (+900)

Match 1: Jon Jones (-155) Vs #1 Ciryl Gane (+135)

Finally, the moment we all have been waiting for. We can talk about the KING. I love Jon Jones, always have always will. What other fighter parties like this a week before every fight?

Why do people use this against him? I wanna see other UFC fighters do this same exact thing, and see if they can still go undefeated having all the best talent thrown at them.

DC tried to burn Jones in their press conference with a “white girl” mention.

But all that really happened was Jon Jones delivering one of the best lines in UFC history.

“I beat you after a weekend of cocaine, I had two great weekends, back-to-back weekends cocaine one, ur ass the next”

Jon Jones

Like DC, you are in the commentating chair now, just shut the hell up. You were training your ass off while Jon Jones was snorting cocaine, partying his ass off, and “sand-blasting prostitutes”.

It was my 19th birthday when DC got his ass kicked by Jones for the 2nd time. There’s a video somewhere out there of me hammered off my ass, freaking out because I just had won the biggest bet of my life at the time on the man himself. Just watch these highlights and tell me you’re not pumped to watch him fight this weekend.

He’s 26-1 but that loss shouldn’t count because it came via DQ. No one has “technically” beat him and this weekend Jones will keep his reign even after not stepping foot into the octagon the last 3 years. The champ will get his title back this weekend.

Ciryl Gane

His opponent is no easy test as he’s facing off against the #1 contender in Gane. Gane also has one loss and has to have a chip on his shoulder knowing everyone is doubting him this weekend. Gane has steamrolled through everyone in the heavyweight division other than Francis Ngannou. The odds show how good Gane is but I believe in Jon Jones. He’s the best fighter in UFC history and the gap isn’t close at all. Applaud Gane for stepping up to the plate, unfortunately, Jon Jones is back and will do whatever he wants to this weakened heavyweight division.

Prediction: Jon Jones dominates this fight just like we have seen in previous years. The King is back.

Best Bet: Jon Jones (-155), Jon Jones by decision (+175). 8/10 wins have come via decision.

UFC 285 will be a fight card to remember even if the names don’t stick out to you. Will the big time favorites prevail or will the underdogs steal the lights in Las Vegas? Find out this Saturday on ESPN+ and on PPV.

Betting Card (As Of 3/1)

1. Derek Brunson +190 (1U), Fight Goes Distance +165 (1U)
2. Jalin Turner +170 (1U)
3. Shavkat by Submission +175 (1.5U), Shavkat in 2nd Round +430 (.25U)
4. Valentina Wins By KO +230 (1U), 2nd Round KO +900 (.25U)
5. Jon Jones -155 (2U), By Decision +175 (1U)
6. Parlay: Jon Jones ML + Valentina KO + Shavkat Submission +1350 (.25U)