Tag: UFC 285

Shavkat Rakhmonov sees himself one or two fights away from title if victorious at UFC 285

Shavkat Rakhmonov believes knocking on the door of a welterweight title shot if he gets past Geoff Neal at UFC 285.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] feels his chance to fight for UFC gold is near.

The rising UFC welterweight contender believes a win in his return to the octagon could put him very close to earning a UFC title shot. Rakhmonov (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag] this Saturday at UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena. It’s a big welterweight bout that’ll go down on the pay-per-view main card of the event.

Rakhmonov feels that if he beats Neal (15-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC), he’ll need a couple of wins at most to get himself a chance to fight for the championship belt.

“After this fight, maybe one or maximum two fights to fight for the title,” Rakhmonov told reporters at the UFC 285 media day on Wednesday.

Both Rakhmonov and Neal were previously scheduled to fight in January in the UFC’s first card of 2023. Unfortunately, Neal suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw. Rakhmonov insisted on keeping the matchup, and he got his wish. It’s a simple reason why Rakhmonov wanted to fight Neal.

“He’s just higher in the rankings than me,” Rakhmonov said when asked why he asked for the fight. “He’s a good fighter, a good striker, and we’re going to check his skills and see how he’s going to approach the fight with me.”

Neal told the media on Wednesday that he felt overlooked, as he’s one of the biggest underdogs of the card. Rakhmonov believes he should be the rightful favorite and will prove that on Saturday.

“The fight will show,” Rakhmonov said. “I believe I’m favorite and I’m favorite for a reason. I’m undefeated, and I finished all of my opponents.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

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‘The biggest fight in UFC history’: Bo Nickal visualizes Khamzat Chimaev fight at Allegiant Stadium

Bo Nickal will use the same mentality that got him to NCAA titles, a Hodge Trophy and a UFC deal – and that means targeting Khamzat Chimaev.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag] visualizes a lot of moments. Some have already happened. Others he’s living out right now. Even more are down the line.

Saturday at UFC 285, Nickal (3-0 MMA, 0-0) will step into the promotion’s cage for the first time, though he expects the feeling to be a familiar one.

“I think the important thing about visualization is making it really real, making it a really visceral experience,” Nickal told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a pre-fight news conference. “I think there’s technique that goes into visualization, just like there’s technique that goes into fighting. For me, it’s making the experience as real as possible, imagining not only what I’ll see but what it’s going to sound like, what it’s going to smell like, what the concrete is going to feel like underneath my feet, what the cage is going to feel like under my feet, and just making it as real as possible for me.

“So when I go in there for the first time, it really won’t be the first time because I’ve imagined it so many times in my mind. That’s just a very powerful practice.”

Nickal listed visualization as one of the many tools that has propelled him up the ranks in MMA, much quicker than most athletes who go down a traditional path. He also credits those around him for his success.

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Keeping with the mentality that pushed him toward a Penn State University wrestling scholarship, four NCAA All-American designations, a Dan Hodge Trophy, two Dana White’s Contender Series appearances, and a UFC contract, Nickal is already planning way in advance.

The pinnacle visualization for Nickal, is the one with the greatest magnitude. He has an opponent, date, and location that he pictures and uses as motivation when his training sessions hit peak difficulty.

“(Khamzat Chimaev) is probably the biggest, most hyped guy coming up right now that hasn’t won a belt yet. I think eventually, us clashing is inevitable. That’s something that I visualize in my training and when I’m in a hard workout, getting my last bike sprint in, getting my last rep in, in the weight room, I’m visualizing that.

“Whether that fight comes in a year, or three years, or five years, or whatever it is, I’ll be ready. I do a lot of visualization and I see that fight happening as a main event in Raiders’ Stadium in front of 100,0000 people. I think it would be the biggest fight in UFC history. Only time will tell whether or not we get that, but I’m doing everything in my power to make that happen.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

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Video: ‘UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane’ media day live stream

Before UFC 285 on Saturday,main card and prelim fighters are scheduled to speak to reporters at media day.

LAS VEGAS – A numbered UFC event returns to “Sin City” on Saturday for UFC 285, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

Before fight night arrives, though, notable athletes from the card are scheduled to speak to reporters Wednesday at media day, and MMA Junkie will have a live stream beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT.

That includes headliners Jon Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) and Ciryl Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who are scheduled to clash for the vacant heavyweight title in the main event.

If you happen to miss any of the individual sessions on the live stream, check below for the archived videos of each media day.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

Ciryl Gane expects ‘beautiful’ Jon Jones in heavyweight debut at UFC 285

Ciryl Gane predicts the best version of Jon Jones anyone has ever seen at UFC 285 – and he wants it that way when he wins.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] has prepared for the best version of [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] anyone has ever seen when they clash for the vacant heavyweight title on Saturday at UFC 285.

Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) will welcome former longtime light heavyweight titleholder Jones (26-1 w. 1 NC MMA, 20-1 UFC) to a new division in the main event at T-Mobile Arena, which airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+, in one of the most anticipated fights of the year so far.

The fight is highly unpredictable because no one knows what Jones is going to look like after more than three years away from competition. Gane said he has taken all of those questions out of his mind, though, and prepared for a sharper, faster and stronger “Bones” than anyone has ever seen.

“We expected during the camp a beautiful Jon Jones,” Gane told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 285 media day. “Fast like he was at the light heavyweight, with the same skills, but stronger like a heavyweight. Like a real heavyweight. We expected this.”

Although the matchup between Gane and Jones is compelling, the fact it’s for a vacant belt has critics claiming the winner won’t be the “real” champion. Former titleholder [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] gave up the strap when he parted ways with the promotion following failed contract negotiations.

Gane, 32, said he’s not worried about any of that noise, though. Handing Jones his first legitimate loss in MMA is arguably a bigger feat than winning a UFC title, so Gane won’t feel any luster is taken from the result.

“I won the belt now, no matter who is the guy,” Gane said. “It’s going to mean a lot for me because he is the GOAT. Everyone knows that, because of his career. … If we win, it’s going to be something big for my career and something big for my life, for sure.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

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Geoff Neal feels overlooked ahead of UFC 285 bout, plans to finish undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov

Geoff Neal feels he’s not getting the credit he deserves ahead of UFC 285.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag] feels underappreciated ahead of his return to the octagon.

The UFC welterweight contender believes he’s been heavily overlooked, as he prepares to take on unbeaten and rising contender [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] at Saturday’s UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena. To many, Rakhmonov (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has looked impressive in his short run in the UFC. Neal (15-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has no problem recognizing his opponent’s skills, but believes the same should be done with him.

“I don’t know how good he really is,” Neal told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 285 media day. “From what I watch, he is a good fighter, but I’ve beaten good fighters too, so we’re just going to see on Saturday what the hype is about. I want to see who this unstoppable Shavkat is.”

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Neal is coming off back-to-back wins over veterans Santiago Ponzinibbio and Vicente Luque. He’s only lost twice in his UFC career, against Neil Magny and Stephen Thompson. The 32-year-old feels he sports a record and resume to merit hype, but for whatever reason is not getting it.

“I’m 7-2 and in all my wins I’m beating these dudes up, and it’s easy, no competition,” Neal said. “I feel like people look past me and then some new guy comes, racks up some finishes, and now he’s the next biggest thing. I’m ready to take that shine from him.”

Neal plans to not only give Rakhmonov his first professional loss, but also put him away.

“I see myself winning by finish, first or second round,” Neal said. “I feel like I’m too strong, too powerful for him. It’s going to wear on him.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

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UFC 285 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: ‘Let the mental warfare begin’ as Jon Jones arrives in Las Vegas

Continue to go behind the scenes with Jon Jones in the third episode of UFC 285 “Embedded.”

The UFC is back with its third pay-per-view of the year, which means the popular “Embedded” fight-week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 285 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

In the main event, the vacant heavyweight title is up for grabs as [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) makes his highly anticipated divisional debut after a three-year layoff to take on former interim champion [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC). And in the co-headliner, women’s flyweight champ [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] (23-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) goes for her eighth consecutive title defense when she meets [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who seeks to become the first Mexican woman to win a UFC belt.

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The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Jon Jones does one last workout at his home gym. Ciryl Gane hits a heavy bag. Champ Valentina Shevchenko inspires matching tattoos. Geoff Neal preps to stop a hype train. Athletes including Ian Machado Garry and Alexa Grasso arrive in Las Vegas.

Also watch:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

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Daniel Cormier: Jon Jones ‘did not punch very hard,’ will have to rely on skill vs. Ciryl Gane

Daniel Cormier questions Jon Jones’ power and how effect it’ll be in his transition to heavyweight vs. Ciryl Gane.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] questions [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag]’ power in his transition to heavyweight.

Former 205-pound champ Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) makes his heavyweight debut when he faces [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) for the vacant belt in Saturday’s UFC 285 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

Having fought Jones twice, Cormier said Jones doesn’t have one-punch knockout power that would pose a threat to Gane, and he will need to dig deep to best the Frenchman.

“I think he’s going to have to use his skill, because I tell you this right now – Jones did not punch very hard,” Cormier said on his ESPN show “DC & RC.” “Like, that was one of the things that stood out about him. Now, he kneed hard, he kicked hard, he elbowed hard. He did a lot of things very well.

“But in terms of his punching ability, he didn’t have jarring power. Now, gaining 30 pounds, maybe he gets a bit of a heavier punch, but he will never match Ciryl Gane in terms of the punching power. He’s going to need his skill in order to do this.”

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However, Cormier believes Gane matches Jones in both skill and physical attributes, making him a very tough stylistic matchup.

“Here’s the issue: Ciryl Gane possesses a lot of those same skills,” Cormier added. “He can stand on the outside and fight, he can pot shot you from the outside, and he does possess jarring power when he does land. Jon Jones always had a bit of a size advantage over a lot of the guys that he fought at 205 too. That’s going to be missing. But when you look at Jones, he looks bigger.

“But a lot of the weight is up top. His bottom half still looks pretty slim. You look at Ciryl Gane, it looks like somebody stuck an air pump in that dude’s mouth and just started pumping. He looks huge, but he only weighs about 250 pounds. He’s not heavy. He’s just lean, he’s ripped, and he’s big, and he’s strong. This is a very big challenge for Jon Jones.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

Francis Ngannou says Jon Jones has ‘multiple personalities’ after switching stance on UFC negotiations

Francis Ngannou isn’t surprised Jon Jones switched stances about his failed UFC negotations, but doesn’t want to be involved in any drama.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] has no issue seeing the UFC heavyweight title he never lost up for grabs when [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] makes his heavyweight debut, but is curious about which version of the former light heavyweight king will show up.

Although Ngannou is no longer in the UFC after failed negotiations with the promotion, he still has a high interest in who will claim the vacant heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 285 when Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) takes on former interim champion [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag].

When Ngannou stood up for what he wanted in a new contract, Jones initially supported the former champion for standing up for sticking to his guns as he walked away from the promotion while never losing the title in the octagon. However, Jones switched up his tone recently by stating, “Francis didn’t believe in himself.”

Despite the change from Jones, Ngannou doesn’t want to be a part of any potential drama, and would rather the two remain on good terms considering they could still have a massive showdown in the future.

“Personally, I don’t have any problem with Jon Jones,” Ngannou told MMA Junkie. “I think we all know that Jon Jones has multiple personalities, and sometimes it’s even hard for him to figure out who he really is – and I don’t have nothing to do with that.

“… I think in this fight we could have been on the same side, instead of like fighting against each other, which is exactly what the system wants. You know, to divide the most, to conquer. So, I’m not really into that game. I see clearly what’s happening, I understand very well what’s happening, and I wish them all the best, you know?”

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A return to the UFC for Ngannou is always a possibility. UFC president Dana White stated multiple times throughout the ordeal that he and Ngannou were on friendly terms, despite negotiations stalling and ultimately failing. However, things can change quickly in the fight game.

Ngannou is currently focused on creating a big boxing match this summer before a potential return to MMA. While he’s aware that a Jones win at UFC 284 will cause the intrigue of their potential matchup to grow, Ngannou just hopes Jones finds peace in what he wants in his career.

“I’m happy I got what I wanted,” Ngannou said. “Hopefully, they get what they want. Hopefully, he’ll end up at peace with whatever he has that changed his mind, but I’m good, man. I don’t have the time to spend on drama. I just have a beautiful future ahead of me and I’m going to be focused on that and be grateful for what life has offered me.”

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Valentina Shevchenko respects Alexa Grasso’s hands, but says ‘we’re fighting MMA, not boxing’

Valentina Shevchenko analyzes Alexa Grasso’s striking skills ahead of UFC 285.

[autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] will never take lightly an opponent, and that includes [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag].

The UFC women’s flyweight champion is scheduled to make her eighth consecutive title defense, as she takes on a streaking Grasso (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Shevchenko (23-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) sees a quality challenge in the Mexican fighter, but nothing beyond the level that she’s been used to competing against for so many years.

“Alexa is a good fighter, a strong fighter,” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “If she’s fighting against me for this title, it’s for a reason.

“But it’s all the same. All are strong fighters at this level of competition. They’re the very best at this level, so it doesn’t matter how good she is, what matters is that I’m here to defend the belt. It’s not about her, it’s about my preparation. If I’m 100 percent in form, I know I can do well in the fight.”

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Grasso is unbeaten since moving up to 125 pounds. She’s racked up four consecutive wins, defeating notable names such as Viviane Araujo, Joanne Wood, Maycee Barber and Ji Yeon Kim. Although she’s shown a good ground game in her performances, both defensively and offensively speaking, Grasso has enamored fans and pundits with her technical boxing.

Shevchenko is aware of Grasso’s biggest weapon, but feels she’ll need a much more complete striking arsenal to threaten her status as champion.

“Yes, of course (her boxing is good), but there’s a difference here: We’re fighting MMA, not boxing,” Shevchenko explained. “I know that her background is boxing and striking, but that doesn’t mean she’s not going to use all the weapons she can use in MMA. The strategy is different for the fight.

“I’m ready to fight wherever the fight goes –striking, wrestling, ground game. I know what to do and how to dominate in each area. I will show that on Saturday.”

As far as where Grasso’s striking ranks in terms of Shevchenko’s previous opponents, some may she’s right up there with the very best. Shevchenko is hesitant to put her at No. 1 as she’s faced very strong candidates, including a Boxing Hall of Famer.

“She’s definitely good, but you have to keep in mind all the other opponents,” Shevchenko said. “For example, when I fought Holly Holm that was at another weight class, that was a different stature – longer arms, legs. It was all different.

“I wouldn’t say that she’s the best striker in MMA because the fight is MMA style. Mixed Martial Arts. If you only have one weapon, you don’t have many tools to win. You need to be more complete than just a boxer.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

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Alexa Grasso eager to test Mexican-style boxing vs. Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285

“Definitely my biggest weapon,” Alexa Grasso said of her Mexican-style boxing against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285.

[autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] has proven for a while that she’s one of the best female strikers in the UFC. And in a few days, she’ll get a chance to further that claim.

Grasso is set to challenge women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 285 in Las Vegas. This is a monumental moment for Grasso (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC). Not only is she making history as the first Mexico-born woman to challenge for a UFC title, but she’ll also get a chance to prove her Mexican-style boxing is indeed at the very top of this sport.

“This is the best test to show that I have the best boxing in the division,” Grasso told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Obviously I’m not going to win the fight by just using my hands, because she’s a very complete fighter, and I need to have all areas covered, but definitely my biggest weapon. I’m sure that my hands will shine that night.”

Grasso believes her famed boxing style will play a key role in her fight against Shevchenko (23-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC). She also believes that trusting her skills and not letting Shevchenko’s dominance intimidate her will greatly aid her striking.

“As you mention it, she’s been a very dominant champion,” Grasso said. “She’s good in the striking with her kicks but also in the wrestling and jiu-jitsu areas. She’s very good.

“I’ve always liked to fight the best, because it makes me improve a ton, and it makes me demand a ton from myself. I think the key for me in this one was my discipline in each training camp. This time I went overboard with everything that I did. I also think above everything. It’s the heart. You have to go in there without any doubts. I’m going in there knowing what I need to do. Is it going to be hard? Yes, but I trust in my heart.”

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Although Shevchenko remains unbeaten at 125 pounds with seven consecutive title defenses, some have argued she’s looked more vulnerable in recent bouts. Jennifer Maia was able to have some success on the ground and win a round, and most recently, Taila Santos took her to a split decision, leaving some fans thinking she lost.

Grasso doesn’t buy that criticism. At the end of the day, Shevchenko is still champion in a very tough sport.

“You can’t do everything perfect,” Grasso said. “You do one bad thing and everyone goes, ‘Oh, you’re no good. This and that.’ You need to be perfect in everything so that no one says anything bad about you. But that’s how it goes. No one can be perfect. Whoever doesn’t make mistakes is because they’re not doing anything.

“Yeah, maybe she’s lost a round here and there, but that doesn’t matter. What I do know is that studying your opponent well, making a specific game plan for your opponent, and believing in it – which is what I’ve been doing. I’m confident on the work that my coaches have made – Francisco (Grasso) and Diego (Lopes). Believe me, it’s going to be a good, good night.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

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