UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane to Headline Historic Event
On March 4, 2023, the UFC will host UFC 285 in its latest pay-per-view offering.[0] The main event features Jon Jones, widely considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time, facing off against Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title.[1] Jones, a two-time light heavyweight champion, holds the promotional record with 11 successful title defenses.[2] This complete fighter, aged 35, is proficient in both grappling and striking. Gane, ranked number one in the heavyweight rankings, has been quite active, climbing the heavyweight ranks the last three years while Jones has been away.[3] Gane is a one-of-a-kind individual, with a kickboxing background.[3] His movement has the agility of a middleweight boxer, but his strikes are delivered with incredible force, speed, ferocity and purpose, typical of a heavyweight.
The co-main event features women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso.[4] With an average of 2.5 takedowns per 15 minutes, Shevchenko is known for her quality takedowns, especially from the clinch.[5] Shevchenko should be faced by Grasso in a stand-up fight, not a grappling match, as the best approach.[4] Grasso eventually got the better of Shevchenko, submitting her via rear-naked choke in the fourth round to win the title.[6]
On the main card, Cody Garbrandt defeated Trevin Jones via unanimous decision (29-28 x3), while in the middleweight division, Bo Nickal defeated Jamie Pickett.[6] Derek Brunson was defeated by Dricus Du Plessis via second-round TKO (punches), and Loik Radzhabov defeated Esteban Ribovics via unanimous decision (29-28 x3).[6] Amanda Ribas defeated Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-27), and Farid Basharat defeated Da’Mon Blackshear via unanimous decision (29-28 x3).[7]
The featured prelim bout saw Tabatha Ricci defeat Jessica Penne via second-round submission (armbar) and Cameron Saaiman defeated Mana Martinez via majority decision (29-26, 29-27, 28-28).[6] Ian Machado Garry defeated Song Kenan by TKO (strikes) at 4:22 of Round 3.[6]
0. “Why Valentina Shevchenko Is A Huge Favorite — And Jon Jones Isn’t — At UFC 285” FiveThirtyEight, 3 Mar. 2023, https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-valentina-shevchenko-is-a-huge-favorite-and-jon-jones-isnt-at-ufc-285/
1. “UFC 285 Live Stream: How to Watch Jones vs. Gane Online” Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2023, https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/how-to-watch-ufc-285-online-live-stream-jones-vs-gane-fight-1234688621/
2. “UFC 285: Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane Picks and Predictions” Covers, 4 Mar. 2023, https://www.covers.com/ufc/285-jon-jones-vs-ciryl-gane-picks-predictions
3. “Best bets for UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane” VSiN, 5 Mar. 2023, https://www.vsin.com/mma/best-bets-for-ufc-285-jones-vs-gane
4. “UFC 285 play-by-play and live results” MMA Junkie, 5 Mar. 2023, https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-285-jon-jones-ciryl-gane-heavyweight-title-shevchenko-grasso-play-by-play-live-results
5. “UFC 285 Picks: Top DraftKings DFS Fantasy MMA Targets, Values for UFC 285” DraftKings Nation, 3 Mar. 2023, https://dknation.draftkings.com/fantasy-advice/2023/3/2/23621288/ufc-285-picks-draftkings-dfs-fantasy-mma-ufc-285-bo-nickal-valentina-shevchenko-amanda-ribas
6. “Official Scorecards” UFC, 4 Mar. 2023, https://www.ufc.com/news/official-judges-scorecards-ufc-285-jones-vs-gane
7. “UFC 285 live updates: Jon Jones claims heavyweight title; Alex Grasso shocks MMA world” The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2023, https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/ufc-285-jon-jones-vs-ciryl-gane-fight-card-results-live-updates-streaming/55ksJgDq44qu/
