The MMASucka podcast is back with a whole episode dedicated to the blockbuster UFC 285 card. UFC 285 goes down this weekend live from Las Vegas and is headlined by a monster heavyweight bout. You can check out our full breakdown podcast here:
Former light heavyweight champion, the potential GOAT and (let’s be honest) undefeated, Jon Jones returns to action for the first time since February 2020 to take on the dynamic striker and former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane. They will fight for the vacant belt after the former champion, Francis Ngannou relinquished the belt and left the company.
In the co-main event, the dominant flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko welcomes the latest contender, Alexa Grasso. Shevchenko is coming off a close victory over Talia Santos and will look to put on a dominant performance to remind people of just how good she is. Grasso is enjoying a four-fight winning run and will be looking to become the next Mexican to hold a UFC title after her countryman, Yair Rodriguez captured the interim featherweight strap earlier this month.
Elsewhere, we have a barnburner at 170lbs when the undefeated, finishing machine, Shavkat Rakhmonov takes on the in-form, dangerous, Geoff Neal. Rakhmonov has a record of 16-0 with 16 finishes, eight by knockout and eight by submission, proving just how well-rounded he is. Neal is enjoying back-to-back wins, most impressively finishing Vicente Luque, becoming the first man to stop Luque with strikes.
A late replacement in the lightweight division has arguably created a better fight than the original. Dan Hooker had to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Jalin Turner and #7 Mateusz Gamrot now slots in. Gamrot suffered just his second career loss last time out against Beneil Daruish whilst Turner is undefeated in his last five, notching an impressive five finishes. A win for either man here could see them crack the top five.
Kicking off the main card is the debut of highly respected wrestler turned MMA fighter, Bo Nickal. Nickal is just 3-0, with two of his wins coming on the Contender Series, however, he talks a good game. He will take on Jamie Pickett, who sits at 2-4 in his UFC career, coming off two straight losses.
Prelims
Former bantamweight king, Cody Garbrandt returns to headline the prelims. After three pull-outs, No Love will now clash with Trevin Jones.
Highly ranked middleweights, Derek Brunson and Dricus du Plessis also meet on the prelims. Brunson is returning for the first time since Jared Cannonier stopped his good run of form and du Plessis is coming off his impressive finish of Darren Till in December.
Amanda Ribas and Viviane Araujo will go to war in a match-up where both women will be looking to put out a statement win, especially as the 125lbs belt is on the line later in the night.
Ian Garry also returns to headline the early prelims when he faces Song Kenan. The undefeated Garry is 3-0 in the UFC and many expected him to have a bigger step up in competition than Song, however, he can only defeat what’s in front of him.
