- Aljamain Sterling shares his UFC 285 prediction
- “Funk Master” is convinced Jon Jones could beat Ciryl Gane with his experience and grappling
UFC 285: Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane has become one of the most interesting fights on the slate this year. Reigning UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling weighed in on the subject and pointed out a few advantages “Bones” could utilize against “Bon Gamin.”
Jon has the experience
Speaking on YouTube channel, Sterling explained why Gane is different from some of Jones’ past opponents. However, “Funk Master” said what makes “Bones” ahead in this fight is his championship caliber and wide-range experience in fighting.
“I think Gane has the footwork that Jones has never seen before, and he’s big! It’s not like he’s [Jones] fighting [Dominick] Reyes, who’s kind of a little unorthodox. Gane is very technical, he stabs at his opponents, he probes, gets in, gets out. The biggest advantage for Jones in this fight is his championship caliber – that experience – and his wrestling acumen,” Sterling assessed.
It should be a mix of everything
On the other hand, Sterling also stressed that Jones should mix it up and use his elite grappling at some point. For Aljo, the more the fight stays on the feet, the more “Bones” is at risk.
“I think that [wrestling and experience] is going to be something that he’s [Jones] going to heavily have to rely on. I’m not saying he can’t strike with Ciryl Gane, but you have to imagine the longer the fight stays on the feet in those first, second, and third rounds, I think it’s more in the favor of Gane. If Jon is mixing in takedowns, it makes it more tricky,” the champ predicted.
Jones is coming in as a heavyweight debutant with a legendary resume as a light heavyweight. He last fought in the UFC in 2020 where he successfully defended his 205-pound strap against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247.
Gane, meanwhile, is the UFC No. 1 heavyweight contender and is arguably the most dangerous fighter in the division after now-former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. He is coming in off a sensational KO victory over Tai Tuvasa at UFC Paris.
As for Sterling, he is heavily linked to a title fight with returning former UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo. However, the bantamweight champion said he wants to be healthy first and might need a surgery for his lingering injuries. Sean O’Malley, on the other hand, is also constantly being mentioned in the conversation but would only fight Sterling if he’s 100% healthy.
