UFC 285: Jones Vs. Gane Preliminary And Undercard Live Results, Highlights, And Recaps: Grasso Submits Shevchenko To Earn Flyweight Title
The action of UFC 285 will get started at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT on UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+ with five early preliminary bouts. The early prelim show will be headlined by Ireland’s Ian Garry (10-0) versus Kenan Song (19-6).
Following, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, four additional preliminary matches with air on ESPN. Capping off the prelims, Cody “No Love” Garbrandt (12-5) will square off with Trevin Jones (13-9).
Finally, at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, the ESPN PPV main card will begin, and will conclude with the two electrifying title fights. In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko will put her flyweight title on the line versus Mexico’s Alexa Grasso.
The evening will culminate with a battle for the vacant heavyweight crown between the legendary Jon Jones (26-1) and French Muay Thai specialist Ciryl Gane (11-1).
Follow the Live Results, Recaps, and Highlights below, provided by FIGHT SPORTS
Live Results: Main Card 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV
Co-Main Event: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso – UFC Flyweight Title
In this 125-pound title fight, many thought that Shevchenko’s well-rounded skill set would overcome the submission skill and sharp boxing of Mexico’s Alexa Grasso.
While the first three rounds were quite competitive, with both women having their moments, a critical error in the fourth opened an opportunity that Grasso literally jumped on.
Shevchenko turned her back to deliver a spinning back kick, but Grasso simultaneously closed the distance and took advantage of the weakness that the champion exposed. Grasso swiftly hopped on the back of Shevchenko and sunk her hooks in before they even dropped to the ground. From there, Grasso slowly started constricting the choke until it was totally locked in, and the champion had no option other than to tap.
This loss breaks Shevchenko’s 9 fight win streak, and is the fourth loss in her 27 fight career. In addition to becoming the new UFC flyweight champion, Grasso has achieved her 16th win in 19 fights, with her shocking upset over Shevchenko.
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Official Result: Alexa Grasso def. Valentina Shevchenko via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 4, 4:34
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Geoff Neal – Welterweight
Through the first stanza of this 170-pound affair, both fighters found success in the striking department. Neal displayed crisp boxing, but the counter striking of Rakhmonov that followed his swift defensive head movement was a cut above. Additionally, Rakhmonov landed a well-placed head kick that rattled Neal and cut him open above his eye.
Into the second, the striking contest continued. Rakhmonov delivered several punishing punches to the body, in addition to short eblows from within the clinch.
In the final round, Rakhmonov seemed to get slightly careless, resulting in him getting caught with a stiff combination from Neal that made him stumble back. Rakhmonov recovered, and shortly after delivered a straight right that sent Neal into a world of trouble. He followed up with a nasty knee to the body before executing a standing rear naked choke to finish things off.
Rakhmonov has now added a 17th win to his undefeated record, while Neal has fallen to 15-5
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Official Result: Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Geoff Neal via Submission (Standing Rear Naked Choke) – Round 3, 4:17
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Jalin Turner – Lightweight
In this 155-pound affair, Jalin Turner was controlling things in the standup department, and hurt Gamrot on multiple occasions. In the back half of the second round Garmot executed a very well-timed takedown as Turner was moving forward, and from there he went to work with ground and pound, and even transitioned to a crucifix position for a short period of time.
While Turner was able to find more striking success in the final round, Gamrot found a way to bring things to the mat on more than one occasion. The takedowns, control, and ground strikes would ultimately be the difference maker in Gamrot achieving victory during this contest.
Through this bout, Gamrot has added the 22nd victory to his 24 fight career, while Turner has suffered his 6th loss in 19 fights.
By split decision!!@Gamer_MMA takes a CLOSE one over Jalin Turner on the #UFC285 main card pic.twitter.com/8WzdfIuIo5
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
Official Result: Mateusz Gamrot def. Jalin Turner via Decision (Split) 29-28, 28-29, 30-27
Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett – Middleweight
Getting the PPV show started tonight, this 185-pound matchup marked the highly anticipated UFC debut of Bo Nickal, a three-time NCAA wrestling champion. While Jamie Pickett had every intention of derailing the hype train of the collegiate wrestler, he was unable to find success in any department.
Once Nickal executed the knee pick to bring the fight to the ground, he established full control and moved between positions beautifully. Beginning with a front headlock, then moving to the back, and ultimately finishing his opponent with an arm triangle choke from top position.
In his UFC debut, Bo Nickal has improved to 4-0 (3 Sub, 1 KO), While Pickett’s record fell to 13-9.
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Official Result: Bo Nickal def. Jamie Pickett via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) – Round 1, 2:54
Live Results: Preliminary Card 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Cody Garbrandt def. Trevin Jones via Decision (Unanimous) – 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Dricus Du Plessis def. Derek Brunson via TKO (Ground and Pound) – Round 2, 4:59
Dricus Du Plessis KO/TKO ✅pic.twitter.com/2oWHdrkj4E
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) March 5, 2023
Amanda Ribas def. Viviane Araujo via Decision (Unanimous) – 29-27, 30-26, 30-27
Marc-André Barriault def. Julian Marquez via TKO (Punches) – Round 2, 4:12
MARC ANDRE BARRIAULT WITH THE HUGE WIN OVER MARQUEZ #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/O9DOCIAPlf
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 5, 2023
Live Results: Early Prelims 5:30 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass
Ian Machado Garry def. Kenan Song via TKO (Combination Punching) – Round 3, 4:22
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Cameron Saaiman def. Mana Martinez via Decision (Majority) – 29-26, 28-27, 28-28
Tabatha Ricci def. Jessica Penne via Submission (Armbar) – Round 2, 2:14
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Farid Basharat def. Da’Mon Blackshear via Decision (Unanimous) – 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Loik Radzhabov def. Esteban Ribovics via Decision (Unanimous) 29-28, 29-28, 29-28