Tag: UFC 285

Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Jon Jones after UFC 285 vacant title win?

It appears we already know who is going to be Jon Jones’ first title challenger after he returned to win heavyweight gold at UFC 285.

(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Ciryl Gane after UFC 285 loss?)

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] completed arguably the sternest goal he’s ever set for himself Saturday when he claimed the vacant heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in the UFC 285 headliner.

After years of toying with the idea changing divisions, Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) finally debuted in his new weight class at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and managed to wipe the floor with an overmatched Ciryl Gane (11-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) en route to a first-round submission victory.

[lawrence-related id=2622533,2621402]

It took only a matter of moments for Jones to turn his attention to his next opponent, too. Former champion Stipe Miocic was seated cageside at UFC 285, and all signs point to the pair facing off for the belt later this year.

When and where will the fight happen, though? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Jones’ future after UFC 285.

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

Dricus Du Plessis no longer interested in Paulo Costa, wants No. 1 contender fight or title shot

Following his win at UFC 285, Dricus Du Plessis no longer is interested in Paulo Costa and wants a No. 1 contender fight or title shot.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] thinks something big is in store for his next UFC outing.

The middleweight contender thinks he’s nearing UFC gold following his latest win inside the octagon. Du Plessis (19-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) stopped Derek Brunson (23-9 MMA, 14-7 UFC) on the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Unbeaten and with a 5-0 run in the company, Du Plessis is hoping to get a chance to fight for a title or a fight that gets him just that. Many suggested former title challenger Paulo Costa, whom Du Plessis had called out in the past, but the South African thinks he’s moved past him.

“Paulo Costa had his chance,” Du Plessis told reporters at the UFC 85 post-fight news conference. “He’s behind me right now, so I’m not even focusing on him. I called him out previously because he was ranked in front of me, but right now he can stand in line.

“I know they maybe wanted to do the (Robert) Whittaker vs. (Khamzat) Chimaev fight. I don’t know what the plans are with Chimaev because he wants to fight here, and then he wants to fight there. I’m not sure.

“I think they’re waiting to see what happens with (Israel Adesanya) and (middleweight champion Alex) Pereira because if Izzy wins this fight against Pereira, I’m the only guy in the top five he hasn’t fought – so that makes sense. If Pereira wins, I’m not sure what they want to do. At the end of the day, it must either be probably a No. 1 contender fight or a title shot. I’m happy with either of those.”

Du Plessis was happy to keep a perfect record at UFC 285 and remind everyone he’s a top fighter in the division. Although some might see his style as careless, Du Plessis thinks the results speak for themselves.

“It’s absolutely amazing coming from a team in South Africa and with a style that people think, ‘Eh, he’s not really good,'” Du Plessis said. “Well, I’m No. 5. I just beat No. 5 in the world. So yes, I am that good. My team, we are that good. That’s what this means to me. This is not about the win or being in the top five. We’re not celebrating that. But what we are celebrating is that we are that good.”

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Mateusz Gamrot wants Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira following UFC 285 win

Mateusz Gamrot is in search of a big name like Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira following his win over Jalin Turner at UFC 285.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag] is looking for a big name.

The UFC lightweight contender thinks he’s deserving of an established opponent now that he’s returned to the win column. Gamrot (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) defeated Jalin Turner (13-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in a split decision Saturday on the UFC 285 main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Mateusz, who was coming off a decision loss to Beneil Dariush this past October, would like to get Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje next.

“Right now, I’m No. 7 (in the UFC rankings), and I took a short-notice fight with No. 10. I’m sure I deserve someone higher than me, only top five,” Gamrot told reporters at the UFC 285 post-fight press conference. “Now I have to wait in the future because Gaethje has a fight, Oliveira has a fight, and more fighters (have fights).

“I would like to get back to the octagon after summer. The best name for me is Gaethje or Oliveira. I think these guys are the best for my opponents because, yeah, I think so.”

Gaethje is fighting Rafael Fiziev on March 18 and Oliveira is fighting Dariush on May 6. The 32-year-old thinks the two former champions will lose their bouts, but regardless, he’s interested in facing either fighter.

“I think Rafael Fiziev should win this fight,” Gamrot said. “I see this guy going up to the title shot. The same thing for Beneil Dariush – I think he will beat Charles Oliveira and I think this guy will be around the title. I need next win against Gaethje or Oliveira. I will beat these guys, and then I’ll be with the same guys around the title shot.”

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Wrestling standout Bo Nickal reflects on UFC debut win: ‘I could’ve done a lot of things better’

Wrestling standout Bo Nickal says his promotional debut could have gone even better at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag] is happy, but critical of his first win inside the octagon.

The wrestling standout successfully made his UFC debut Saturday in the opening bout of the pay-per-view main card of UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena in. Nickal (4-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) defetaed Jamie Pickett (13-9 MMA, 2-5 UFC) by submission in the first round.

It was a memorable moment for the 27-year-old, and one he admittedly was nervous about.

“There’s always nerves,” Nickal told reporters at the UFC 285 post-fight press conference. “Anytime you’re going to do something like this, I think anyone that says there’s no nerves, they’re just trying to act like a cool guy. I feel a lot of nerves. Luckily, I had a ton of experiences like this through wrestling and wrestling on big stages that I had the opportunity to at Penn State.

“I would guess just to recap my experience, I was back in the tunnel and I felt very serious, like, ‘All right, let’s get this done. Let’s take care of business.’ And as soon as I walked out, I heard the fans screaming and cheering and everyone wanted to high-five me and I just wanted to smile because that was so cool to get that support. I just wanted to embrace that and enjoy that moment.”

Although Nickal got a quick stoppage win to keep his stay undefeated, the blue-chip prospect is a bit critical of his performance. Even though dominant, Nickal said he saw many areas in which he can improve

“I could’ve done a lot of things better,” Nickal said. “I was just talking with my coach and I have to stop throwing high kicks right away because two out of my four fights, I’ve fallen on my butt like a dummy. Yeah, that was fun. A little split there.

“I think overall was as expected – not exceptional. It was as expected. I’m grateful to go out there and not get hit and get the win.”

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Shavkat Rakhmonov wants championship bout following UFC 285 win: ‘I’m ready for the title shot’

Shavkat Rakhmonov calls for a welterweight title shot following his win over Geoff Neal at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] thinks he’s done enough.

The unbeaten UFC welterweight contender thinks he merits a title shot and is ready to get the opportunity following his Saturday win. Rakhmonov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) submitted Geoff Neal (15-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) on the main card at UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Rakhmonov thinks his five-fight winning streak, capped off by his finish of Neal, should get him a championship bout.

“He fought many tough opponents and none finished him, (but) I was able to do it,” Rakhmonov told reporters at his post-fight news conference. “I don’t know. It was UFC’s decision, but I’m ready for the title shot. And if it’s Abu Dhabi, it would be beautiful.”

If a title shot comes his way, Rakhmonov will first have to wait to see whom he’ll fight. Champion Leon Edwards is scheduled to defend his belt against former champ Kamaru Usman in a trilogy rematch at UFC 286 on March 18 in London.

The 28-year-old said he’s OK waiting until the end of the year for his opportunity at the belt.

“I’m in no rush,” Rakhmonov said. “We have Ramadan month ahead of us, but saying that, a title fight in Abu Dhabi would be great. Etihad Arena would be full of Kazakhstan fans. It would be great for my country.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Michael Chandler plans to ‘bludgeon’ Conor McGregor, regardless of date, location or weight class

Michael Chandler has been around Conor McGregor enough so far on “The Ultimate Fighter” that he thinks he’s starting to figure him out.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] has been around [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] enough in recent days that he thinks he’s starting to figure him out.

Former UFC two-division champion McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and former Bellator lightweight champ [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) are set to coach the upcoming Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” They’re currently filming the show in Las Vegas and attended UFC 285 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.

A fight hasn’t been put on the books yet, but the “TUF” coaches traditionally fight at the end of the season. One of the issues so far is the UFC stipulation that a fighter be in the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug testing pool for at least six months before a fight. McGregor has been inactive since a broken leg in a July 2021 trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier and not in the testing pool.

Chandler said that’s one of the things messing with a timeline.

“I just asked my management to start putting pressure and figure out (when McGregor will be in the pool),” Chandler said backstage at UFC 285. “Right now, we’re at March (4). If we want to fight in September, he’s got to hop in the (drug testing) pool. That’s just the simple fact of the matter.

“We’ll see. I could (not) care less, man. I don’t care what he weighs, what he’s doing. How long he’s in the USADA pool does not matter to me. It’s another man with two arms and two legs and I’ve been doing this for over a decade, so, I’m excited to go out there and compete against him. But ultimately, rules are rules and we’ve got to figure out how to get around the red tape and all and get him in the pool and get him tested and all that kind of stuff.

Along with questions about just when the fight will take place, a weight class hasn’t been nailed down, either. And then there’s the matter of where it will take place.

McGregor won UFC titles at featherweight and lightweight and also has fought at welterweight. Chandler is a career lightweight, but said he’s open to fighting at a higher weight.

And McGregor’s involvement as the UFC’s biggest all-time draw could warrant a venue bigger than someplace like T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas – another important point that hasn’t been figured out.

“At this point, I don’t think it’s going to be at 155,” Chandler said. “Conor’s expressed it’s going to be at 170. I would love it at 170. I’ll fight him at 185. I’ll fight him at whatever weight class we want to fight at. I could (not) care less. I just want to fight the man. … He was talking about 185 and I called his bluff. I think he doesn’t think I’m as heavy and as dense as I actually am. I’m sitting here at 191 pounds, so I’ll fight at 185. I’ll fight a 170. If (UFC president) Dana (White) steps in – and I’ve heard him talk about 155 – if Dana steps in and gets his way, possibly it’s 155. I could (not) care less. I am a guy who showed up in the UFC in September 2020 with my work boots on, and I’ve said yes to every single opportunity. I’ve said yes at every single step of the way.

“They want to do it at 170. I think that’s a nice little sweet spot. This show (airing) ends in August, so it would make a lot of sense for us to fight in September. I hope it’s September. And I think this fight is too big to do T-Mobile Arena. I think we sell out Allegiant Stadium (in Las Vegas) or Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

“There’s been mentions of it. I think when you talk, you’re never doing a stadium if it isn’t Conor McGregor right now. And then you look at a guy who can come in and build the intrigue, put butts in seats, make people feel something. Name a guy who’s got more momentum in the entire UFC than than me. And now we’re doing ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ – 12 episodes over the entire summer to build the intrigue, to build the animosity, to build this rivalry – and it’s genuine. You guys know me. I’m a pretty nice, even-keeled guy. I don’t really like Conor McGregor that much, it turns out.

“I’ve got a ton of respect for him. But he and I, I don’t think see eye to eye in a lot of ways, and that’s a lot of competitive chirp. But ultimately, I passed Allegiant Stadium today and I told my wife, ‘Hey, we should fight there.’ There’s no reason we should be fighting in T-Mobile Arena because we have the ability and the capacity to do that. Dallas Cowboy Stadium: One of the biggest shows in in mixed martial arts history. I think it happens.”

As for the fight itself, regardless of when or where or what weight class, Chandler thinks McGregor’s recent prediction that he’ll “slice through” Chandler is misguided.

“That’s exactly who we want – the biggest combat sports star and icon that we have ever seen thinking he’s going to come back and slice through somebody,” Chandler said. “That’s exactly what we want. That gains intrigue. It builds the momentum, it builds the mystique of who he is and us putting butts in seats. That’s exactly what we want. I can tell you this: It’s definitely not going to happen. I can tell you this: I see it going a much different way.

“I think I’ve seen enough of Conor over the last couple weeks to know that I am going to not just slice through him, but bludgeon him with both of these hands and do whatever I want, both standing or on the ground, and finish him by the second round. That’s my ‘Mystic (Mac)’, my prediction, and I stand behind it.

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

UFC 285 post-event facts: Jon Jones enters a class of his own with heavyweight title win

The numbers show Jon Jones stands in rarified air after making it 15-0 in title fights when he claimed heavyweight gold at UFC 285.

The biggest UFC event of 2023 thus far delivered in spades Saturday with UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The 14-fight lineup featured eight finishes and two new champions crowned.

In the main event, [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) returned from a 37-month layoff and joined an exclusive club of two-division titleholders. The former longtime light heavyweight champion captured heavyweight gold with a first-round submission of [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC).

The co-headliner saw [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) pull off one of the biggest title-fight upsets in recent memory when she dethroned [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) with a fourth-round submission to capture the women’s flyweight title.

For more on the numbers coming out of both championship contests, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC 285.

Alexa Grasso open to rematch vs. Valentina Shevchenko after UFC 285: ‘She was so dominant in the division’

Alexa Grasso said she’s OK if she has to run it back against Valentina Shevchenko after her title win at UFC 285.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] has no problem running it back with [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag].

The new UFC women’s flyweight champion is OK with fighting Shevchenko in a rematch after she dethroned her Saturday in the UFC 285 co-main event. Grasso (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) took the title from Shevchenko (23-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round.

Shevchenko was one of the longest reigning champions in the UFC. She had seven consecutive title defenses entering UFC 285. Because of Shevchenko’s tenure as champion, Grasso said she would be OK fighting her again.

“Of course – she was so dominant in the division,” Grasso told reporters at the UFC 285 post-fight news conference. “Of course we can do this again.”

Although some may look at Grasso’s finish as the result of a mistake by Shevchenko, the Mexican said she actually prepared for that specific sequence and had a game plan around it.

“We knew that she was going to spin, and it was easier to take the back from that position, so I was just waiting for that moment,” Grasso said. “I was hoping that she would spin. It happened in the (Joanne Wood fight), and I knew that I was able and easier to get the back on that moment, so I was just waiting for the opportunity.”

[lawrence-related id=2621427,2622357,2622445]

Grasso is now the first woman born in Mexico to win a UFC title. It’s a historic feat and one she’s very proud of.

“I was born, raised and trained in Mexico,” Grasso said. “When we started, we were just told you would never achieve it. You would never get a belt. You would never get to the UFC. Man, we’re working very hard. I have an amazing team behind me – my uncle, my dad, my coaches, all my teammates. We have a lot of talent in the gym, and I’m so proud of that.”

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

Valentina Shevchenko calls for immediate rematch after UFC 285 title loss to Alexa Grasso

Valentina Shevchenko is determined to get back the UFC title that was hers for so long.

[autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] is determined to get back what was hers for so long.

The former UFC women’s flyweight champion was dethroned on Saturday night in likely the biggest upset of 2023. Shevchenko (23-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) was submitted by [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] in the co-main event of UFC 285 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The defeat snapped a seven-fight title defense streak for Shevchenko, who is itching to get the belt back.

“Definitely an immediate rematch, because I know I was winning the fight,” Shevchenko told Joe Rogan during her in-cage post-fight interview.

Grasso (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) took Shevchenko’s back and submitted her after she failed on a spinning attack in the fourth round. Shevchenko was winning the fight on the scorecards prior to the finish.

Shevchenko believes it was her wrongdoing that gave Grasso the win.

“This is what happens in mixed martial arts,” Shevchenko said. “You’re winning the fight all rounds, no doubt, and a stupid situation can change the whole game. This is part of the game. Congratulations to Alexa, but I know I’m stronger. If it wasn’t for the spinning kick, it would’ve been a different result.”

[lawrence-related id=2622445,2621427]

Shevchenko does see a positive side to the loss. She believes the division has now become more exciting given the abrupt change.

“Every one trains hard, and you do whatever you have to do to win the fight in any situation,” Shevchenko said. “This is what happens. At least there’s some movement in the flyweight division. This created more feels. It’s more alive before I come back and get my title back.”

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