UFC 285: The return of Jon Jones
Josh Werle, Sports Editor
After more than three years away from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon, former light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones is set to make his return on March 4. when he takes on the number one ranked heavyweight in the world, Ciryl Gane. It’s been well over a decade since rumors of Jones making the jump to heavyweight surfaced.
A career-long competitor at 205 pounds, Jones will finally make the jump to the heavyweight division and compete against Gane for the vacant title.
Legendary status
Jones holds the UFC record for most title fight wins in the history of the organization, having won 14 contests with a belt on the line. Although he couldn’t put together a win streak due to issues outside the octagon — both related to his personal life as well as banned substance usage — Jones has yet to truly be defeated by another competitor in the sport.
He became the youngest UFC champion in history at the age of 23, and continued to break records since. Another title fight victory would set him even further from the pack, with the only active UFC fighter being four spots behind him in the category.
In the three years since Jones last competed, he took the time to properly manage his weight in order to make the transition to heavyweight. He also spent time negotiating with the UFC in order to get a contract that he was happy with, something that former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was unable to do with the UFC.
Jones and Ngannou had been linked to fight for many months, but after Ngannou and the UFC couldn’t agree on terms, the belt was left vacant.
Now, Jones returns against the French heavyweight contender, Gane, who’s only defeat was at the hands of Ngannou. This is a make-or-break fight for Jones, as his status as the best could hinge on him winning the heavyweight title. For Gane, this fight could solidify him as the new “baddest man on the planet” with a title fight win and victory over one of the sport’s greatest competitors of all time.
Also on the line at UFC 285 is the women’s flyweight championship, currently held by Valentina Shevchenko.
Shevchenko has yet to lose a fight in the flyweight division, and has seemingly already solidified herself as the most dominant champion the UFC currently has. She’s defended her title seven consecutive times, only four defense away from tying the current record holder, Demetrious Johnson. Shevchenko will compete against Alexa Grasso, who’s rattled off four straight wins since moving to the flyweight division.
UFC fans are used to underdogs shocking the world — in the past year and a half Kamaru Usman, Israel Adesanya and Amanda Nunes all lost their titles that they had defended numerous times — so Grasso taking home the title isn’t completely out of the question. However, the most likely outcome is a Shevchenko victory and the flyweight reign of dominance continuing to run its course.
The prospects
The marquee billings of UFC 285 features two legends at the top of their game, while the undercard features a number of prospects looking to break into contention territory. In an already stacked welterweight division, 16-0 Shavkat Rakhmonov will look to make a splash with the sharks. Rakhmonov will take on Geoff Neal, a top-tier striker coming off a knockout victory over Vicente Luque.
If Rakhmonov can extend his undefeated streak to 17, he’ll place himself amongst the upper-echelon of the 170 pound division. In the division below, Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot will go head-to-head in a top-ten ranked battle.
Although Gamrot came up short in his last contest against Beneil Dariush, he will get another chance to solidify himself as a top-tier lightweight when he clashes against Turner, who has been highly touted since his last victory over Brad Riddell.
With a victory, Turner could see himself facing a top-five opponent before the end of the year. With both the welterweight and lightweight division brimming with contenders, these prospects have a big opportunity in front of them come March 4.
