Jon Jones vs Cyril Gane odds, predictions, start time, card: MMA insider makes UFC 285 picks, best bets
For the first time in more than three years, Jon Jones will compete in mixed martial arts on Saturday in the main event of UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane in a heavyweight title fight against top contender Cyril Gane . Their five-round battle headlines the main fight card of UFC 285 (10 p.m. ET) from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Jones ruled the light heavyweight division for nearly a decade, but took an indefinite hiatus after a tight decision over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020. In the meantime, Gane (11- 1) has emerged as one of the most dangerous. heavyweight prospects in recent memory, and has already held the interim belt for a brief stretch.
Jones is a -170 favorite ($170 risk to win $100), while Gane returns at +145 in the latest UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane odds from Caesars Sportsbook. In the co-main event, women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (-600) will make her eighth title defense when she meets Alexa Grasso (+450). Before you lock in any UFC 285 picks, be sure to check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine analyst Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC punter who has made over $6,200 profit for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a 24-14 recorded record on his much talked about two-legged parlays respect All selections were recorded on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market indicators, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape from top to bottom . He also trains amateur boxers and regularly speaks with MMA fighters to understand the nuances of the sport.
In his SportsLine debut at UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his 5-0 mark included advising SportsLine members to back Jamahal Hill (-125 ) over Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant lightweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen a huge comeback.
Now, with UFC 285: Jones vs. You can only see who’s back at SportsLine.
UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane preview
Jones, who has had his share of problems outside the cage, has long been one of the most polarizing figures in the sport. But almost all analysts and avid MMA watchers agree that he’s on the short list as one of the greatest of all time, and he’s in the top spot for most of historians of MMA. Others in the conversation include former welterweight champion Georges St.-Pierre and former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retires with an undefeated record in 2020.
Jones (26-1-1) saw his only professional loss come by disqualification, although close decisions against Reyes and Thiago Santos in his last two appearances had some observers suggesting that he had lost his edge or the competition had improved, or some combination.
The 35-year-old from New York announced that he was leaving the lightweight division to focus on moving to heavyweight with the goal of becoming a two-division champion. He was reportedly keen on a fight with former champion Francis Ngannou, but talks fell apart as the fighters couldn’t deal with the timing and both were unhappy with the UFC’s purse offers. Ngannou has since left the UFC and is now a free agent.
In his last UFC appearance, Ngannou overcame an early two-round deficit and used wrestling to earn a decision win over Gane (11-1), handing the French fighter his first professional loss. Gane responded with a third-round knockout of Tai Tuivasa last September.
Coincidentally, Gane has often been compared to Jones due to his athleticism, flexibility and mastery of multiple disciplines. When Jones announced he was ready to return, the UFC immediately challenged Gane to compete for the vacant title. You can see who Vithlani is supporting at SportsLine.
Top UFC 285 picks
We share one of Vithlani’s UFC 285 picks here: He is favoring Dricus Du Plessis (-240) to win against Derek Brunson (+200) in a matchup of middle contenders- stress on the starting card.
Du Plessis (18-2) is a straight fighter who has earned recognition for starting his UFC career with four consecutive victories, leading three. The South African, 29, submitted Darren Till in the third round of their December fight.
Brunson (23-8) is a 10-year UFC veteran who has spent most of his career in the top ranks, although he has never fought for the title. The 39-year-old wrestling specialist saw his five-fight winning streak come to a halt against Jared Cannonier last February.
“On the feet, Du Plessis will have a clear advantage as the more powerful and explosive striker. If Brunson does damage early, I can see the fight going south for him quickly,” Vithlani told SportsLine . You can see more picks at SportsLine.
How to make UFC 285 picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Jones vs. Gane and other bouts on the UFC 285 card. He also backs a “complete technician” fighter to emerge with a major impact. These picks are only available at SportsLine.
Who will win Jones vs. Gane at UFC 285? And what exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 285, all from the MMA expert who made a profit of more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.
Strange UFC 285, fight card
See full UFC 285 picks, predictions, best bets here.
Jon Jones (-170) vs Cyril Gane (+145)
Valentina Shevchenko (-600) vs. Alexa Grasso (+450)
Shavkat Rakhmonov (-500) vs Geoff Neal (+380)
Mateusz Gamrot (-210) vs Jalin Turner (+175)
Bo Nickal (-1,700) vs. Jamie Pickett (+950)
Dricus Du Plessis (-240) vs Derek Brunson (+200)
Amanda Ribas (-120) vs. Viviane Araujo (+100)
Marc-Andre Barriault (-145) vs Julian Marquez (+125)
Cameron Saaiman (-275) vs Mana Martinez (+225)
Tabatha Ricci (-265) vs. Jessica Penne (+225)
Farid Basharat (-480) vs Da’Mon Blackshear (+360)
Cody Garbrandt (-165) vs Trevin Jones (+145)
John Garry (-550) vs. Kenan Song (+400)
