Partner Content | UFC 285 odds: Shevchenko defends title, Jones vs. Gane headlines event

UFC 285 odds: Jones vs. Gane

Odds: Jones (-159) vs. Gane (+133)

Nervousness is not necessarily the trait of a champion, but that’s the feeling Jones is chasing as he ascends to the heavyweight division.

Jones, whose only UFC loss came more than a decade ago via disqualification, recently admitted that he “wanted to be nervous again,” and that “the heavyweight division has never been scarier.”

The reputation Jones earned during his extensive reign over the light heavyweight division has helped him earn slight favourite status for this bout.

In addition to the weight adjustment, though, he’ll also be battling the potential for rust. The 35-year-old hasn’t fought since February 2020.

Gane is certainly battle-tested at the heavyweight level, having taken Ngannou the distance in a decision loss at UFC 270. The Frenchman rebounded with a knockout win over Tai Tuivasa in September to reclaim his status as the division’s No. 1 challenger.

Shevchenko vs. Grasso

Odds: Shevchenko (-560) vs. Grasso (+410)

The fact that a sixth-ranked challenger is up for a title fight signifies Shevchenko’s utter dominance in this division.

Grasso is one of the few women’s flyweight challengers Shevchenko hasn’t beaten yet, but that’s likely only because they haven’t met in the octagon. If all goes well for the incumbent champ, UFC 285 will mark her eighth title defence.

Shevchenko’s only two losses of the decade came against Amanda Nunes, who holds title distinction at both weight classes above flyweight. In her typical weight class, Shevchenko is in a class all her own.

Grasso (15-3-0) enters on a four-bout win streak. This is only her second pay-per-view showing, after earning a unanimous decision at UFC 258.

Rakhmonov vs. Neal

Odds: Rakhmonov (-500) vs. Neal (+370)

Don’t just wait around for the title fights at UFC 285. When Rakhmonov steps onto the canvas, you’re bound to see a show.

The Uzbekistan native is 16-0, and none of his fights have gone to a decision. Exactly half have ended via submission, while the other half have concluded via knockout or TKO.

Rakhmonov has plenty of rungs to climb on the UFC’s welterweight ladder, and a win over Neal would help him make significant strides.

Although Neal is ranked higher in the division, he’s lost two of his past four bouts. That includes a unanimous decision defeat in May 2021 versus Neil Magny, who Rakhmonov submitted with a second-round guillotine choke last time out.

Gamrot vs. Turner

Odds: Gamrot (-175) vs. Turner (+138)

Had Gamrot defeated Beneil Dariush at UFC 280, he could’ve been on the cusp of title contention. Instead, he’ll have to prove himself against the up-and-coming Turner.

Pacing could be a notable aspect of this matchup, as 11 of Gamrot’s 23 bouts have gone the distance. As for Turner, only two of his 18 bouts have reached a decision.

Gamrot is 9-2 in bouts decided via decision, while Turner is 0-2 in decisions. Turner enters with the confidence of a five-fight winning streak, though none of his combatants were as accomplished as Gamrot.

Nickal vs. Pickett

Odds: Nickal (-1,430) vs. Pickett (+850)

This is a battle of upside versus experience, and Nickal’s upside makes him a massive favourite.

After winning both of his bouts in Dana White’s Contender Series, Nickal is set for his UFC debut. Prior to joining the MMA promotion, he was a supremely accomplished collegiate wrestler, claiming three NCAA Division I titles with Penn State.

Opposite Nickal is the 34-year-old Pickett, who’s coming off a pair of losses over the past 13 months.

Pickett (13-8-0) became a pro around the same time Nickal entered high school, but it’s been a bumpy road. Both fighters have plenty to prove in this one.

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