Rob Font believes Jon Jones will get the job done when he makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon on March 4.
It’s been three years since fans were treated to a performance by the general consensus light heavyweight GOAT. That all changes at UFC 285 when ‘Bones’ returns to the Octagon for a shot at heavyweight gold. Standing in the way will be No. 1 ranked heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane. Ahead of the highly anticipated headliner, Mike Owens caught up with bantamweight contender Rob Font in a MiddleEasy exclusive to get his prediction for the heavyweight clash.
“I can’t go against the GOAT,” Font revealed. “He’s just so well-rounded. I think if Ciryl Gane can’t get him out of there in the first two rounds, I don’t see it lasting. I don’t see him winning a decision. I see getting to the third or fourth round and Jones either obviously winning a decision or getting a finish in the third or fourth round.”
Jones’ last appearance inside the Octagon came at UFC 247 in February 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to force a worldwide shutdown. Since then, the 205-pound division has moved on without Jones. UFC president Dana White is hoping the heavyweight division can get moving once again with Jones after the promotion’s former heavyweight titleholder, Francis Ngannou, opted to move on from the UFC, vacating his title in the process.
He's Baaaack!!
Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane at #UFC285 on March 4! pic.twitter.com/eu8OEbmoEE
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) February 13, 2023
Uncertainty Surrounds Jon Jones Ahead of His Return at UFC 285
With Jon Jones being on the shelf for a whopping 37 months by the time he steps into the Octagon next month, fans are unsure of what to expect from the 35-year-old. On the other hand, MMA fans have had ample opportunity to get acquainted with the skills of Ciryl Gane. The man from France has only one defeat on his record coming against Ngannou himself when the two heavyweight warriors met at UFC 270, a matchup that wound up being Ngannou’s final fight inside the Octagon.
Aside from the one blemish, Gane has put his next-level striking on display against some of the division’s biggest names including Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Alexander Volkov, Derek Lewis, and Tai Tuivasa.
As for Rob Font, the No. 6 ranked bantamweight contender will be back in action at UFC 287 in April when he meets one of the division’s most prolific finishers, Adrian Yanez.
