One of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time returns to the Octagon on Saturday night when Jon Jones will exchange violent pleasantries with former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 285. Read on for our Jones-Gane UFC picks based on the odds from our best sportsbooks.
A bulked-up Jones returns to the UFC as a heavyweight after a three-year hiatus. The former 205-pound overlord last fought at UFC 247 way back in February 2020, where he scraped by a game Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision. Jones then relinquished the light heavyweight title following that bout, and he hasn't graced the cage since.
Gane has fought five times since Jones last made the walk, viciously separating Tai Tuivasa from his senses during a Fight Night event in September. The towering Frenchman is 8-1 since making his UFC debut, with his lone loss com ing to heavyweight boogeyman Francis Ngannou.
This is actually a difficult call to make betting-wise. Despite his status as an all-time great, Jones may be caked in ring rust, and Gane is perhaps his most difficult test in years.
Here are our best UFC bets for Jones vs. Gane at UFC 285 (odds via bet365 and FanDuel Sportsbook; Pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Jones vs. Gane picks
- Fight line: Jones ML (-160 via bet365) ???
- Winning method: Jones by decision or technical decision (+210 via bet365) ???
- Prop pick: Fight to go the distance (-122 FanDuel) ????
A lot of this bout hinges on what Jones looks like as a heavyweight. Comfortably sitting atop MMA's Mount Rushmore, Jones is an incredibly dynamic fighter, but who knows if the extra 40 pounds on his frame takes away some of that athlet icism. There's also the very real potential for rust, and his exodus from the light heavyweight division included a pair of lackluster performances against Reyes and Thiago Santos.
You also need to account for Gane's skill set. “Bon Gamin” is an excellent striker with legitimate knockout power (three KO/TKOs in his last five wins), and rare athleticism for a true heavyweight. However, Ngannou outwrestled Gane during their bout, and that's the strongest path to victory for Jones.
Sure, Jones won't benefit from the element of surprise that Nganou enjoyed when he started snatching double legs. But Jones is a good offensive wrestler, and he should be able to drag Gane to the floor and outwork him from there.
It won't necessarily be the most scintillating road to victory, but it's the safest path for Jones if he wants to emerge with heavyweight gold wrapped around his waist.
Jones will do enough to win, but I can't picture him closing this one out within the distance. He's made it to the final bell in three straight bouts, and seven of his past nine. Gane has stood toe-to-toe with some absolute sluggers without his chin crumbling, and I don't expect Jones to banish him to the land of wind and ghosts.
Similarly, I don't see the uber-durable Jones falling to Gane's heavy artillery. “Bones” faced a murderer's row during his legendary run at light heavyweight, and he never came close to falling to strikes.
I'm backing Jones to win, but I don't think either man will fall inside 25 minutes. If you don't trust Jones during his first heavyweight foray, this is definitely the bet to make.
Neither man has been finished, and they've combined to go the distance in 12 of their past 16 trip s to the Octagon.
Jones vs. Gane best odds
| Fighter | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet |
| Jones | -170 | -178 | -165 | -175 | -182 |
| Gane | +145 | +138 | +150 | +150 | +145 |
Jones is the favorite at every major sportsbook, and his best odds can be found at Bet365 (-160). If his inactivity and an unknown weight class looming over Jones dissuade you from backing him, snatch up the very capable Gane at +150 through Caesars. Gane at +150 is a fine bet considering all of the question marks facing Jones on Saturday night.
Jones vs. Gane fight info
Date: Saturday, March 4, 10 p.m. ET
TV: PPV
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Jones vs. Gane picks made 3/2/2023 at 3:30 p.m. ET
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