"UFC 285 Predictions: Can Jon Jones' Long Absence Impact His Legacy?"

The card is stacked with competitive matchups and the possibility for some pretty massive upsets. With so much on the line, fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see what's going to unfold in the octagon this Saturday.

Without further ado, let's take a closer look at the main event and co-main event, as well as a few other highly anticipated bouts on the UFC 285 card.

Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane:

It's finally happening. This Saturday, in the main event of UFC 285 in Las Vegas, former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will debut in the heavyweight division, taking on former interim champion Ciryl Gane. It's a move fans have been dying to see Jones make since the earliest days of his incredible reign as the light heavyweight champion but one that has taken years of talk and negotiation to make happen.

Despite his reputation as one of the best ever, Jones faces an undeniably tricky test in his heavyweight debut. Gane is considered the division's most technical striker—no surprise given his background in muay thai—and he has the size, power, and cardio to back that skill set up. It's an endlessly compelling fight, and it's made all the more intriguing by the fact that it will be Jones' first Octagon appearance since a close decision win over Dominick Reyes in early 2020.

Two trains of thought: Jon Jones is, in my opinion, the greatest MMA fighter we've seen. He is also significantly more well-rounded than Ciryl Gane, and that suits Jones in his heavyweight debut. However, it is his heavyweight debut, and he hasn't fought in three years. How will he react to getting hit by his biggest opponent yet, who also happens to be the most technical striker in the division? Matchups like this are why MMA is awesome. There are so many ways it could go.

I'm taking Jones. Francis Ngannou opened the playbook on how to beat Gane, and he isn't near the wrestler that Jones is. If he can avoid standing in the Frenchman's range and secure an early takedown, it could be a quick night and yet another accolade added to Jones' already incredible résumé. Jones by submission, Rd. 2.

Shevchenko vs. Grasso

In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko will look to defend her belt against boxing specialist Alexa Grasso, who is part of a new generation of contenders that many doubt the champion will survive. Shevchenko is going to lose her title at some point, and it could happen sooner rather than later, given the depth of the women's flyweight division (looking at you, Erin Blanchfield, Manon Fiorot, and Taila Santos).

Grasso's boxing is good, but it's nothing that Shevchenko hasn't seen before. It's going to take more to knock off an all-time great, and that's why Shevchenko is the pick to win. Prediction: Shevchenko by unanimous decision.

Geoff Neal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov:

Neal is probably the most dangerous puncher Rakhmonov has fought to date, but I'm not sure if he's actually a tougher test than Neil Magny, who the undefeated Kazakh contender cut through in his last fight. One way or the other, I think Rakhmonov passes this one with flying colors. He'll need to be careful on the feet—he tends to leave his chin exposed, and Neal has serious firepower—but it will probably only be a matter of time before he drags this one to the mat and ends it.

Rakhmonov by submission, Rd. 2.

Mateusz Gamrot vs. Jalin Turner:

This is a massive step up for Jalin Turner. Mateusz Gamrot is one of the most technical fighters in the lightweight division and only loses to opponents just as technical as him. Turner has huge power and a strong grappling arsenal, but I worry that his inexperience against top contenders won't translate well against Gamrot, who's comfortable wherever a fight may take him.

Gamrot by unanimous decision.

Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett:

I'm not on the Bo Nickal hype train. I'm still a dozen or so stations down the track, sitting on a bench at a quiet junction where reason still applies, and we don't tout unproven prospects as future UFC champions before they've even stepped foot in the Octagon.

I also know a freebie when I see one, and that Nickal makes his UFC debut against Pickett, who has a less-than-impressive record. Nickal is expected to make a strong showing and win by TKO in the first round.

In conclusion, UFC 285 promises to be a thrilling event with a stacked card and several intriguing matchups. The highlight of the night is undoubtedly the long-awaited heavyweight debut of Jon Jones, who faces a stern test against Ciryl Gane.

Jones, considered by many as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, will need to rely on his well-rounded skillset to secure a victory against Gane, who is widely regarded as the division's most technical striker. While many experts predict that Jones will emerge victorious, it's worth noting that he hasn't fought in three years and that his last fight was a close decision win over Dominick Reyes, raising questions about his readiness for such a tough challenge.

As a fan of the sport, it's disappointing that Jones has not been as active in recent years, and it's frustrating to think that he may have already robbed fans of his prime years. Nonetheless, Jones remains one of the sport's biggest stars, and his return to the octagon will undoubtedly draw considerable attention.

Regardless of the outcome of the main event, UFC 285 promises to deliver an unforgettable night of MMA action, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the return of several top fighters who are set to compete on the card.

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