UFC 285, hung on March 4, 2023, on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, stands as a pivotal occasion in the annals of combined martial arts (MMA). This occasion now no longer simplest marked the victorious go back of Jon Jones however additionally witnessed massive upsets and the emergence of recent champions, fascinating enthusiasts worldwide.
Jon Jones’ Triumphant Return and Heavyweight Debut
After a three-12 months hiatus, Jon “Bones” Jones made an enormously predicted comeback, shifting as much as the heavyweight department to stand Ciryl Game for the vacant UFC heavyweight identity. Jones showcased his extraordinary ability via means of securing a victory through guillotine choke simply over mins into the primary spherical. This win solidified Jones because the 8th fighter in UFC records to say titles in weight classes.
Alexa Grasso’s Stunning Upset Over Valentina Shevchenko
In the co-major occasion, Alexa Grasso brought one of the most surprising victories in UFC records by way of dethroning long-reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Grasso capitalized on an overlooked spinning again kick via the means of Shevchenko, taking her again and securing a rear-bare choke in the fourth spherical. This victory made Grasso the primary Mexican-born female fighter to win a UFC identity.
Bo Nickal’s Impressive UFC Debut
Bo Nickal, a enormously touted wrestling prospect, made his UFC debut at UFC 285. He confronted Jamie Pickett and secured a first-spherical submission victory through arm-triangle choke, demonstrating his ability in the middleweight department.
Full Fight Card Results
Main Card:
Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones def. Ciryl Gone through submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:04.
Women’s Flyweight Championship: Alexa Grasso def. Valentina Shevchenko through submission (rear-bare choke) – Round 4, 4:34.
Welterweight Bout: Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Geoff Neal through submission (rear-bare choke) – Round 3, 4:17.
Lightweight Bout: Mateusz Gamrot def. Jalin Turner through break up decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
Middleweight Bout: Bo Nickal def. Jamie Pickett through submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:54.
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight Bout: Cody Garbrandt def. Trevin Jones through unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Middleweight Bout: Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis – Result now no longer available.
Women’s Flyweight Bout: Viviane Araújo vs. Amanda Ribas – Result now no longer available.
Middleweight Bout: Julian Marquez vs. Marc-André Barriault – Result now no longer available.
Early Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight Bout: Ian Garry vs. Kenan Song – Result now no longer available.
Women’s Strawweight Bout: Jessica Penne vs. Tabatha Ricci – Result now no longer available.
Bantamweight Bout: Cameron Saaiman vs. Mana Martinez – Result now no longer available.
Lightweight Bout: Esteban Ribovics vs. Loik Radzhabov – Result now no longer available.
Post-UFC 285 Developments
Following his victory at UFC 285, Jon Jones defended his heavyweight identity towards Stipe Miocic in November 2024, sending Miocic into retirement. Dana White has shown that Jones is about to stand Tom Aspinall in 2025 to unify the UFC heavyweight division.
Behind the Scenes: UFC 285’s Build-Up and Promotion
The Buzz Around Jon Jones’ Return
Jon Jones’ go back to motion changed into one of the most talked-approximately memories in MMA main as much as UFC 285. His transformation right into a heavyweight and the thriller surrounding how he could carry out on the heavier weight had enthusiasts and analysts speculating for months.
UFC capitalized on this pleasure with sizable promotional material, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage. The reputable Embedded collection on YouTube documented Jones’ education camp, diet, and mindset, supporting gas anticipation.
Valentina Shevchenko’s Champion Mentality
Valentina Shevchenko entered UFC 285 with an air of secrecy of dominance. Her fight-week interviews exuded confidence, and many took into consideration her the pound-for-pound queen of the UFC. Her eventual loss to Grasso stunned enthusiasts and media alike, sparking debates about whether or not the ladies’s flyweight department had eventually stuck as much as her ability level.
Rising Stars and UFC’s Youth Movement
With opponents like Bo Nickal, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Ian Garry at the card, UFC 285 additionally served as a degree for the following era of UFC stars. Bo Nickal, in particular, obtained principal promotional awareness as an enormously embellished NCAA wrestler transitioning into MMA. His overall performance proved he changed into extra than simply hype.
UFC 285: Pay-Per-View Numbers and Attendance
Attendance: Approximately 19,471 enthusiasts have been given a gift at T-Mobile Arena.
Gate Revenue: The occasion reportedly added in over $12 million in price tag sales.
PPV Buys: Though reputable numbers have been now no longer launched via the means of the UFC, enterprise insiders predicted that UFC 285 did among 800,000 to one million PPV buys, way to Jon Jones’ return.
These numbers region UFC 285 the various highest-grossing UFC occasions of recent years.
Legacy and Impact of UFC 285
Jon Jones Cementing His GOAT Status
With his victory at UFC 285, Jon Jones delivered some other layer to his legacy, turning into arguably the best MMA fighter of all time (GOAT). Already dominant at mild heavyweight, Jones’ flow up to say the heavyweight belt echoes the legacies of twin champions like Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes—however with a cleaner, extra dominant go back.
Evolution of the Women’s Flyweight Division
Alexa Grasso’s disappointment marked a brand new generation for the ladies’ flyweight department. With Shevchenko dethroned, a chain of sparkling matchups opened up. It additionally stimulated different ladies opponents, mainly from Latin America, proving that champions can come from any historical past with the proper guidance and mindset.
Bo Nickal and the Rise of Wrestling in MMA
Bo Nickal’s UFC debut highlighted the growing influence of elite wrestling in MMA. His easy transition from collegiate wrestling to expert fighting reminded lots of legends like Brock Lesnar and Khabib Nurmagomedov. If advanced properly, Nickal might be a future identified challenger.
Most Searched Topics and What Fans Want to Know (According to Google & YouTube Trends)
“Jon Jones UFC 285 complete fight replay”
“Alexa Grasso vs Shevchenko 1 highlights”
“Bo Nickal debut UFC”
“Is Jon Jones the GOAT?”
“UFC 285 effects and bonus winners”
“What’s next for Jon Jones after the Game?”
“Shevchenko vs Grasso rematch date”
All of those queries display a mix of curiosity, excitement, and starvation for greater content material associated with UFC 285, in particular round the principle and co-important events.
Bonus Awards at UFC 285
Fight of the Night: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Geoff Neal
Performance of the Night: Jon Jones and Alexa Grasso
These bonuses have been hard-earned and similarly fueled the hype across the fighters involved.
Final Thoughts
If you are a fight fan, UFC 285 is a must-watch. Whether you are analyzing Jon Jones’ technique, Alexa Grasso’s perseverance, or Bo Nickal’s capability, there may be lots to appreciate. With severa storylines nonetheless unfolding, UFC 285 isn’t always simply history—it is the place to begin of numerous interesting futures.
FAQs
What changed into the response from enthusiasts and fighters to Jon Jones’ overall performance at UFC 285?
The MMA network extensively praised Jon Jones’ dominant return. Many enthusiasts and fighters have been inspired through how seamlessly he transitioned into the heavyweight division. Former fighters and analysts remarked on his fight IQ and submission execution, calling it one of the most calculated performances in UFC heavyweight history.
Did Ciryl Gane make any remarks after the fight?
Yes, Ciryl Gane admitted he changed into dissatisfied through his overall performance and recounted that he made a essential mistake early in the bout. He expressed remorse over now no longer being capable of exhibiting his complete capability and vowed to go back stronger.
Were there any other standout performances at UFC 285?
Yes, Shavkat Rakhmonov’s win over Geoff Neal changed into a prime factor. Rakhmonov remained undefeated, showcasing elite grappling and striking, similarly solidifying his reputation as a welterweight contender. His rear-bare choke in spherical three earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
How did Cody Garbrandt fare on the initial card?
Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt secured a unanimous choice win over Trevin Jones. This victory changed into substantial for Garbrandt, who had suffered more than one losses earlier than UFC 285. It marked a hopeful turning factor in his career.
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