The long-awaited heavyweight debut of Jon Jones is here. Jones is arguably the greatest fighter in MMA history and is certainly UFC’s best light heavyweight champion. He returns from a 37-month layoff to fight Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 285 in Las Vegas on March 4.
The fight announcement was paired with the disappointing news that UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was stripped of the title after being released from the organization. Jones long dominated the 205-pound division with his elite striking, wrestling, distance management and fight IQ. Gane is an athletic, nimble and rangy striker packing a serious punch. Gane has been nearly flawless since debuting with the UFC in 2019, going 8-1 with a close decision loss to Ngannou as the only blemish on his record.
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UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko continues her legacy-building run in pursuit of an eighth consecutive title defense and a reign that has exceeded 1,500 days. Challenger Alexa Grasso has a mountain to overcome if she wants to become the third Mexican champion in UFC history. She is buoyed by countrymen Brandon Moreno and Yair Rodriguez, both of whom captured titles at UFC 283 and UFC 284, respectively. Shevchenko vs. Grasso occupies the co-main event.
There are a number of intriguing fights before UFC 285’s two title fights. Bo Nickal, the 2019 recipient of the Dan Hodge award presented to the U.S.’s best college wrestler, makes his UFC debut against Jamie Pickett. Nickal had a perfect run in his debut MMA year in 2022, running through three opponents in a combined 147 seconds. Shavkat Rakhmonov is an oncoming storm looming over the welterweight division and he collides with thunderous striker Geoff Neal.
Below is the complete fight card for UFC 285 along with the latest odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Check back all week long for the latest news, features and other content around this massive event.
UFC 285 fight card, odds
Jon Jones -165 vs. Ciryl Gane +140, vacant UFC heavyweight championship
Valentina Shevchenko -625 vs. Alexa Grasso +450, UFC women’s flyweight championship
Matuesz Gamrot -170 vs. Jalin Turner +145, lightweights
Shavkat Rakhmonov -500 vs. Geoff Neal +380, welterweights
Bo Nickal -1400 vs. Jamie Pickett +800, middleweights
Dricus du Plessis -240 vs. Derek Brunson +200, middleweights
Ian Garry -550 vs. Son Kenan +400, welterweights
Cody Garbrandt -165 vs. Trevin Jones +140, bantamweights
Amanda Ribas -130 vs. Viviane Araujo +110, women’s flyweights
Marc-Andre Barriault -125 vs. Julian Marquez +105, middleweights
Cameron Saaiman -260 vs. Mana Martinez +210, bantamweights
Tabatha Ricci -230 vs. Jessica Penne +190, women’s strawweights
Farid Basharat -440 vs. Da’mon Blackshear +340, bantamweights
Esteban Ribovics -195 vs. Kamuela Kirk +165, lightweights
UFC 285 info