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Jon Jones will make his long-awaited return to the octagon at UFC 285. The former 205 lbs kingpin hasn't fought since 2020. Prior to his sabbatical from the sport, 'Bones' was the undisputed ruler of the light heavyweight division. Unfortunately, a string of uninspired performances preceded his three-year hiatus.
While the former 205'er didn't initially plan on a hiatus, he was unable to agree on financial terms with the UFC for his then-announced heavyweight debut. Thus, in an act of protest, Jon Jones kept away from the octagon. Eventually, 'Bones' reasoned that his absence was due to something else.
According to him, he was bulking up in the proper way, allowing his body to truly adapt long-term to the new weight. Regardless, the MMA legend's return has been scheduled for UFC 285. He will face Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title. This list explores five ways the bout will likely turn out.
#5. Ciryl Gane will beat Jon Jones via decision
While their bout will take place in the heavyweight division, Jon Jones will not have to concern himself with the much-feared knockout power that nearly all 265'ers posses. What 'Bones' has to fear from his foe is being picked apart at range. The former 205'er typically struggles against foes who match his physical dimensions.
At six feet and five inches in height with an 81-inch reach, the Frenchman more than matches Jones' reach and stature.
The light heavyweight GOAT's greatest asset is his wrestling skill set. Unfortunately, Jones' wrestling abilities have always hinged on him being longer and taller than his opponents.
His arms are long enough that he effortlessly hooks his hands behind his foe's legs, even if they widen their base. He was able to take down Daniel Cormier but struggled to do so against the likes of Alexander Gustafsson and Dominick Reyes.
If he can't outwrestle Ciryl Gane, he'll struggle against a fast counter-kicker, least of all due to Jon Jones' own issues when it comes to defensive kicking. The American responds poorly to kicks due to his striking defense being solely designed to counter boxing. This was evident in his bout with Dominick Reyes.
#4. Jon Jones will win via unanimous decision
Ciryl Gane is a terrific kicker. His primary offense is kick-based, and he fields a wide array of setups to land his kicks. For example, once his foe starts expecting low kicks, 'Bon Gamin' pounces. The moment his opponent raises a leg to check a low kick, he switches to front kicks.
This often leads to the Frenchman catching his foes off-balance as they're standing on one leg. While his boxing is good, it's not his strongest suit, and it depends a great deal on the threat of his kicks. If Jon Jones can neutralize his foe's kicking game, it'll spell the Frenchman's doom.
Jones is one of the greatest in-fighters in MMA history. Kicks require time, space and leverage to be thrown with any power. If he smothers Gane to deprive him of the space he needs to operate, 'Bones' can use his in-fighting to impose his will on the Frenchman.
From wrist-grip setups that create openings for his elbows to intercepting knees that counter opponents who try to duck under his elbows, 'Bones' is vicious. While he might lack one-shot KO power to trouble 'Bon Gamin', he could certainly repeat his past win against Glover Teixeira with an in-fighting clinic.
#3. Jon Jones will outwrestle Ciryl Gane
Many people are of the opinion that Jon Jones' wrestling has deteriorated. However, it's likely that he's simply struggled to outwrestle the super-athletes of today. The former 205'er used to be much taller and longer than his foes. So his takedowns relied on him hooking his hands behind his opponent's legs.
Even if his foes spread their legs wide to strengthen their base, it accomplished nothing. His arms were always too long. It enabled him to take down the greats of yesteryear.
Unfortunately, every future generation fields larger fighters than the last. Eventually, the fighters became just as tall and large as Jones himself.
Thus, he could no longer afford to simply use his length; his foes were now tall enough that their wide bases countered his grip. That's why he struggled against Dominick Reyes and Alexander Gustafsson. However, 'Bones' has been spending time training with Henry Cejudo.
The Olympic gold medalist is one of the finest wrestlers in MMA history. Under his tutelage, a pure striker in Zhang Weili evolved rapidly as an offensive grappler and wrestler. Jon Jones, who has a wrestling background, might have improved enough under 'Triple C's instruction to completely outwrestle Ciryl Gane.
#2. Jon Jones will finish Ciryl Gane
Jon Jones has never had knockout power. He spent much of his career developing a striking style that undercuts the basic punching mechanics of a power punch. This is largely due to Mike Winkeljohn's rumored belief that punches are simply tools to set up kicks.
Thus, 'Bones' has spent much of his career as a dynamic kicker. The same is true for most fighters who train under Mike Winkeljohn, the name of Holly Holm comes to mind. While his work has led to historic success on occasion, this approach to striking has stagnated. This is why the former 205'er has struggled with his finishing.
Outside of Alexander Gustafsson, who tore his groin in their rematch, Jon Jones hasn't TKO'd anyone since he fought Chael Sonnen. However, if his wrestling has improved enough under Henry Cejudo, he may very well drag the Frenchman to the ground.
Unlike Francis Ngannou, 'Bones' will not simply lay on top of his foe. Instead, he will either rain down vicious elbows or search for a submission against an opponent whose grappling remains green.
#1. Ciryl Gane will KO Jon Jones
Ciryl Gane is an excellent striker. His boxing, however, is reliant on his kicks. Given how poorly Jon Jones responds to being kicked, he will likely be eager to stifle the Frenchman’s kicks. Unfortunately, the former 205 lbs kingpin's means of doing so are less than impeccable.
To avoid being kicked, 'Bones' retreats from his foes while extending his lead hand as a barrier. The post-and-retreat method works against shorter opponents who can't catch him at the end of their kicks. His other method to guard against kicks is to smother his opponents by reaching forward with his hands to coax them into hand-fighting.
The first method simply gives someone as fast and tricky as Gane more time to set up kicks and kick combinations. Furthermore, the Frenchman is long enough to catch Jones with his kicks even if he post-and-retreats. The second method merely allows Gane to roll under Jones' extended arms with shifting combinations.
Knockouts often stem from blows that the recipients don't see coming. If this happens to Jones, he'll likely be flattened for the first time in his career.
