Bones is Back
Jones vs Gane, Nets force biggest comeback win in the league, Knicks stay hot, My Picks for the weekend (03/04/2023)
Jon Bones Jones makes his long anticipated return to the octagon
Jon Jones, arguably one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time, returns tonight against Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight championship, over three years since his last bout. Jones (-170) who hasn’t fought since pre-pandemic, has won 26 of his 28 fights, losing one by disqualification and another being ruled a no contest. I just want to put it out there and say I am biased because I am a really big fan of Jones. With the amount of accolades that Jones holds it is hard not to be a fan of his. Longest unbeaten streak in UFC history, most UFC title wins, most successful title defenses in UFC history. He’s a 2x light heavy weight champion, a member of the Mixed Martial Arts hall of fame, and holds amateur titles unlike anyone we have seen before. His fights are always electric, and that showed in 2013 in his bout against Alexander Gustafsson where Jones reportedly could even “clean his own butt” after the fight. There is no doubt Jones is a dog and has been itching for his comeback. Obviously there has been a big three year gap from his last fight something unusual in the MMA space. Jones is a freak of nature and he’s not afraid to show it or tell anyone.
Jones publicly stated his displeasure with the UFC and Dana White in regards to his pay, leading to him eventually vacating his title. To be fair, he is seen by the fighting community as a top fighter ever, across boxing AND UFC, and he felt he wasn’t getting the same money as some of the other big guys. On one side, I can understand the UFC perspective on this, being that the UFC just does not have the capability to pay what these boxers make for a way less interesting fight. Look at the $85 million Conor Mcgregror made just for just 10 rounds of boxing. On the other side, Jones’ frustration is not a one out scenario as the UFC is notorious for not paying their fighters what they are undeniably worth. On top of his 2020 disagreement with Dana White, Jones is no stranger to being in the public eye. Here is a breakdown of a few of Jones’ most controversial events:
2014- accused of poking multiple opponents in the eye. Jones responded via Instagram mocking fans who called him “the dirtiest fighter in MMA.”
2014- Jones and Cormier get into it at a promotional event, eventually leading to Jones having to pay a 50k fine and do 40 hours of community service.
2015- Jones is arrested and eventually convicted on hit and run charges. Jones was eventually stripped of his UFC title but was able to avoid felony charges by appearing at 72 different community events.
2016- Jones is unable to fight in his rematch against Daniel Cormier after a potential doping violation. Jones was eventually stripped of his interim title.
2018- Jones defeats Cormier in a third round knockout. Jones is later flagged again for potential doping violations, ruling the rematch a no contest.
2019- Jones is charged with battery for assaulting a cocktail waitress. He pleaded no contest and received a 90 day deferred sentence.
2020- Jones pleads guilty to DUI after blowing double the legal limit on a routine stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was put on probation for a year, had to attend therapy, and complete community service.
2021- Jones is arrested for domestic violence when his youngest daughter called 911 after he allegedly aggressively pulled the hair of his fiancé. He then challenged the police to a fist fight stating “I could break free from these handcuffs.” Jones was required to go to anger management therapy for this as after pleading no contest.
Don’t get me wrong, Jon Jones is an interesting guy and definitely has had a substance abuse problem in the past. He has even admitted that he had a problem and went as far in 2021 in an Instagram post to say that he has “way too much trauma” to consume alcohol.
However, one thing that is completely certain: Jones is back and is mentally and physically at the best point of his life. He is finally in the division he wanted to be ar after saying time after time that he would dominate heavyweight. The truth to the matter is that Jon Jones at -170 on the money line is an absolute steal. I mean Jones has never technically lost a UFC fight in his life. By saying that Jones is a steal at that line, I am not discrediting Ciryl Gane. Gane is no joke, and has fought some real deal fighters like Volk and Ngannou. They’re not Jon Jones though, and no one Gane has EVER fought comes close to Jones. Sure Ngannou is a great fighter, but he doesn’t level up to Jon Jones. Jones has fought and WON against Cormier, Gustafsson twice, Santons, Saint Preux, Rampage Jackson, and the list just goes on. Just look at the stats of Jones and Gane side by side.
Jones dominates on his takedown defense, ground control, takedown accuracy, knockdown ratio, and the list goes on. He is a freak of nature in the octagon and has dominated a majority of his 28 fights. With all the drama past him (hopefully) I think Jones is primed to win and defend the heavyweight championship for years to come. At only 35 years old, he has the ability to become his old self times 2. Between him and Gane he is the overall better fighter and I truly believe that will show tonight. When I originally heard of the matchup, my thoughts were that Jones would’ve been at least -350. To see him at -170, you can’t pass that up. I would not be surprised if the fight goes the distance as Gane has never been knocked out nor submitted, but I think Jones wins and shows the world that the GOAT is back.
Nets come back to win by 10 after 28 point deficit to the Celtics
Last nights game was a roller coaster to say at least. From being down 28 to eventually winning by 10, the Nets really pulled a big win out. One thing that is for certain which we already had knew: Mikal Bridges is really really good.
When rumors floated around that Brooklyn was offered 4 first round picks for Bridges, everyone seemed intrigued to accept but also a bit confused. I mean 4 first round picks for a 26 year old whose talent had really yet to be discovered in Phoenix seemed like a good offer. However, his 38 points and 10 rebounds which eventually led the Nets (+11) to the largest comeback in the NBA this year showed precisely why teams were willing to give up that many picks for such an unknown talent. For this Brooklyn team to win like this was exactly what was needed against a Boston team currently the favorite to win to all. When I picked the Nets to cover yesterday I assumed it would be a back door cover, with the Nets cutting a 20 point deficit late in the game to cover the bet. Never in a million years could I have predicted them to come back from 28 in Boston against arguably the best team in the league.
Julius Randle scores 43 along with a late three to seal the deal against 122-120 against the Heat
The red hot Knicks pulled out another win out against an Eastern conference foe last night. Julius Randles 43 points and 9 rebounds were just enough to notch the Knicks to a big win in Miami. The Knicks currently have beat the Nets, Celtics, Heat, and the Hawks in the last month, all of which could be possible playoff matchups come the second round. The Knicks are playing really good ball right now and have picked it up at the exact right time. They have yet to lose since the All Star break and have played some solid clubs since then. Don’t be surprised if the Knicks make a push in the playoffs and as previously mentioned in Thursdays piece end up in the 3 seed. The Knicks who are +11000 to win the NBA finals, play again Sunday against the Celtics in a rematch from earlier in the week in which the Knicks finished victorious.
My picks for the weekend
Premier League
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
My pick: Man City
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
My pick: Arsenal
Chelsea vs Leeds United
My pick: Draw
Liverpool vs Manchester United
My pick: Manchester United
NBA
Hawks vs Heat
My pick: Heat
76ers vs Bucks
My pick: Bucks win in a close game
Suns vs Mavericks
My pick: Suns win in a thriller. KD and Kyrie first time playing each other since being traded from Brooklyn.
Warriors vs Lakers
My pick: Warriors
Hornets vs Nets
My pick: Nets
Knicks vs Celtics
My pick: Knicks win in another great game.
NHL
Rangers at Bruins
My pick: Rangers win with a Panarin goal from Kane
Avalanche at Stars
My pick: Colorado
Penguins at Panthers
My pick: Penguins
Wild at Flames
My pick: Wild
Lightning vs Hurricane
My pick: Hurricanes
Devils at Coyotes
My pick: Devils by 2+
Arnold Palmer Invitational
My pick: Xander Schauffele (currently -6)
UFC 285
Garbrandt vs Jones
My pick: Garbrandt
Pickett vs Nickal
My pick: Nickal
Gamrot vs Turner
My pick: tossup leaning Turner
Rakhmonov vs Neal
My pick: Rakhmonov
Grasso vs Shevchenko
My pick: Shevchenko
Gane vs Jones
My pick: Jones