Padilla’s Predictions: UFC 285 Main Card
This Saturday is UFC 285 where the plan is to crown a New Heavyweight champion. Jon “Bones” Jones will look to cement his legacy as the great fighter in MMA history while Ciryl “Bon Gamin” Gane can become the first undisputed French champion of a major MMA promotion. Gabriel Padilla shares his thoughts on who eh belives will walk away victorious.
Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane
On March 4th we finally get to see the return of Jon Jones after a three year hiatus from the octagon, Ciryl Gane will also make his return after a half year off. They’ll be battling for the Vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship. Ring rust may be a variable in this fight with Jones taking his time on his move up from light-heavyweight. From the fighting perspective on the Jones side I believe he will fight and use his distance in the beginning and adjust to some inside elbows and knees while maybe getting a takedown in the later rounds. On the Gane side I believe he will have a decent and somewhat successful start countering and actually being first initiating exchanges on the stand up side. Ultimately I believe he will fade as the fight goes on and with the lack of experience Jones will make proper adjustments to outscore Gane all around and win by decision.
Pick: Jones
Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso
With the queen of the flyweight division back, Shevchenko will be defending her belt against Alexa Grasso also this Saturday in the co main event. After what I’ve seen from Grasso in her last couple of fights I didn’t like the way she was boxing with her hands low after engaging not keeping proper distance while throwing punches. She did not get kicked in the legs as much either in her last fight, which Shevchenko will do. On the other the side the Champion will eventually outclass and find counters and have the better defense, with her footwork also being an issue for Grasso. I can see Schevchenko finding a finish possibly in the championship rounds, if not getting a definitive decision win.
Pick: Shevchenko
Geoff Neal vs Shavkat Rakhmonov
We also have an interesting fight between #7 Neal and #8 Rakhmonov two contenders who are on the up and up right now. Neal is coming off a TKO win over Vincente Luque and I have no other reason to believe he would change his game plan. With that being said I don’t think Neals standup alone will be enough to offset Rakhmonovs pressure or power.
Pick: Rakhmonov
Jalin Turner vs Mateusz Gamrot
The second match of the main card will be a high paced banger where Gamrot and Turner are both coming in with impressive wins and win streaks. If Gamrot can dictate the fight through his wrestling and top pressure it can go to decision but not easy as Turner will touch him and it will not be easy to get him down. It will ultimately come down to cardio in my opinion and who has more heart.
Pick: Gamrot
Bo Nickal vs Jamie Pickett
Bo Nickal making his debut I believe his wrestling will get him the win its very effective for him and seems to transition well with his jiu-jitsu . Pickett with more experience may have some moments but Nickals pressure will just be to much.
Pick: Nickal
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