UFC 285 predictions for Jon Jones' return plus 15/2 accumulator!

The UFC roadshow heads to Las Vegas this weekend for the highly-anticipated UFC 285 and we’ve enlisted the help of MMA expert Bobbie Jackson to give us the low down on what to expect when Jon Jones makes his long-awaited return to the octagon.

Our 2/1 Main Event tip and 15/2 acca can both be backed with bet365, where new users can sign up below to get up to £50 in free bets.

UFC 285 Main Event prediction

Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane – Jon Jones to win by decision

After a three-year absence, former light heavyweight king Jon Jones returns to the octagon this weekend when he takes on Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title.

Jones only has one defeat on his record in 28 fights, losing to Matt Hamill via disqualification after landing illegal elbows, and he is regarded by most as the greatest to ever step into the octagon.

His reputation is so strong that even after three years of inactivity he has been reinstated to the pound-for-pound rankings at #10.

The 35-year-old American faces Gane for the vacant heavyweight belt after former champion Francis Ngannou turned down a new contract and left the promotion.

Gane held the interim title after beating Derrick Lewis but came up short in his attempt to become the undisputed champion when suffered a decision loss to Ngannou at UFC 270.

He has since returned to the win column with a knockout triumph over Tai Tuivasa but he faces a tough task in trying to overcome Jones.

Both Jones and Gane are highly talented strikers, the latter was an undefeated Muay Thai competitor before transitioning to MMA, while the former has 10 knockout wins on his resume.

But Jones holds a major advantage when it comes to the ground game and that could play a major role in the outcome of this contest.

Gane, however, has never been stopped inside the distance and he should be able to take Jones the full five rounds, albeit in defeat.

UFC 285 accumulator

Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane – Jon Jones to win

Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is back after a three-year absence as he looks to stamp his mark on the heavyweight division.

He returns to action with the vacant heavyweight title on the line and Cyril Gane standing in his way.

The pair are both extremely talented strikers but Jones holds a clear advantage on the ground and should be able to expose Gane’s vulnerability.

A lack of competitive action could be the downfall for Jones but, having dominated the light heavyweight ranks over an 11-year period, he has thrown everything into being ready for this return and should find a way to prevail.

Valentina Shevchenko v Alexa Grasso – Over 3.5 rounds

The co-main event also has a title on the line when Valentina Shevchenko makes the eighth defence of her flyweight strap against Alexa Grasso.

Shevchenko, who has held the gold since 2018, isn’t showing any signs of slowing her status as champion isn’t likely to change this weekend.

Grasso is a very durable fighter, going the distance in 12 of her 18 fights, and, although she’s unlikely to upset Shevchenko, she can make life difficult for the Bullet.

Geoff Neal vs Shavkat Rakhmonov – Shavkat Rakhmonov to win by KO, TKO, Submission or DQ

Shavkat Rakhmonov has swatted aside all his challengers over a 16-fight career, winning each of those contests inside the distance – eight victories by knockout and eight via submission.

The Kazakh is making his fifth appearance under the UFC banner this weekend when he takes on Geoff Neal.

American Neal has won successive fights to recover from back-to-back losses but he’s likely to be just a stepping stone on Rakhmonov’s path towards the welterweight title.

Neal has tasted defeat four times across 19 fights and just twice inside the distance but Rakhmonov should prove far too superior.

Derek Brunson vs Dricus Du Plessis – Dricus Du Plessis to win by KO, TKO, Submission or DQ

Dricus Du Plessis is also establishing himself as a star in the octagon, winning all four of his fights since signing for the UFC to take his overall record to 18-2.

The South African has won three of his four UFC contests by knockout or submission to climb to #10 in the middleweight rankings.

#5 Derek Brunson is next up as he looks to get back on track after a second-round knockout loss to Jared Cannonier in his last fight.

Brunson has eight defeats on his record and six of those have come by knockout.

Where to watch UFC 285 & what time does it start?

UFC 285 will be broadcast exclusively on BT Sport after they extended their existing partnership, with the event available to watch on BT Sport 1HD, the BT Sport app and the BT Sport website.

UK coverage of the event, which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, will begin at 1am on Sunday, 5th March with the prelim bouts before the main card gets going at around 3am.