UFC 285 marked the return of Jon Jones and the card was stacked with great match ups. Las Vegas produced stars who shone in the spotlight, we take a look at what may be next for those fighters.
Tabatha Ricci
Fan favourite Tabatha Ricci entered the T-Mobile arena looking to claim the biggest scalp of her career against Jessica Penne. With her sole defeat coming at flyweight, Ricci looked to push up the strawweight rankings. She will do so after a wonderful display at UFC 285. Throughout the fight ‘Baby Shark’ took control in the grappling department in such an impressive matter. After a great judo throw Ricci snatched an armbar midway through the second.
Following this victory Ricci will be looking up the rankings however the strawweight division is mostly booked up. Therefore, a fight with another contender may be next. Cory McKenna is a well rounded prospect with a similar record. On the other hand, Mexican prodigy Yazmin Jauregui is undefeated and will be looking for a big matchup especially if the UFC head to Mexico later this year.
Ian Machado Garry
Rising star Ian Machado Garry promised a violent and dominant performance this weekend at UFC 285. He faced the powerful Kenan Song whom returned to the octagon after almost 2 years away. The superb striking of the Irishman was on show in the first round landing numerous heavy leg kicks but with a minute left Song landed a huge left hook dropping Garry to the canvas. That moment spurred Garry on as he picked up the pace in the second and ground Song down. Garry sensed blood in the third and hunted Song across the cage. The finishing sequence involved a beautiful combination in the final minute of the fight.
Ian Machado Garry wants to fight on UFC 287 his first choice Bryan Barbarena had already stepped in at London. Alternatively, at 6ft 3″ Phillip Rowe matches Garry’s huge frame. He has finished his last three opponents and is on the fringe of the rankings, these two in Miami makes sense.
Bo Nickal
Bo Nickal was the biggest favourite on the card and the prospect everyone was excited to see. Jamie Pickett had the task of stopping the wrestling prowess of Nickal. Unfortunately for Pickett he found himself on the canvas with Nickal within the first minute and the end was in sight. After a couple minutes of suffocating pressure Nickal locked in an Arm Triangle Choke and submitted Pickett.
Up next for Bo Nickal will possibly be someone towards the rankings at middleweight. Joaquin Buckley has fought ranked middleweights and fallen short in previous years but still carries power. The Missouri native would be a firm test for Nickal in his next fight.
Shavkat Rakhmonov & Geoff Neal
The Kazakh phenom Shavkat Rakhmonov faced his toughest test at UFC 285 against the heavy handed Geoff Neal. This was fight of the night as Neal pushed Rakhmonov harder than anyone before. A back and forth war looked to be heading to the judges scorecards until Rakhmonov landed a stiff right hand wobbling Neal back to the fence. He matched him down and landed a flurry of elbows before finding himself on the back of Neal, a standing rear naked choke forced Neal into tapping before he dropped to canvas asleep.
Stunning from Shavkat and he rightly called for a shot at gold or a number one contender fight, he called for Colby Covington which would be a great fight however we have not heard from Colby in almost a year since his win over bitter rival Jorge Masvidal. Belal Muhammed is without and opponent and in a strong position for a number one contender fight with Rakhmonov.
Even in defeat Geoff Neal’s stock rises, Michel Pereira had his fight cancelled with Sean Brady last month and is still searching for his next opponent Neal could halt the ascension of the Brazilian who is on a five fight win streak at welterweight.
Alexa Grasso
Mexican flyweight Alexa Grasso has always shown promise in her UFC career. She had come into some great form earning her a shot at flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285. Before the fight many fans dismissed her chances purely because of the dominance that Shevchenko has shown throughout her reign at the top. Many favoured the grappling of the champion to be a deciding factor in the fight, however that was not the case as Grasso pulled off a simply sensational rear naked choke in the fourth round. Grasso continues the rich vein of form for Mexico as this is their 3rd belt to be won in 2023. Murals of all three champions are already displayed across the country.
With Shevchenko’s dominance the next fight for Grasso will most likely be an immediate rematch, the UFC could look to bring it to Mexico alongside a title defence for Brandon Moreno and possibly the unification of featherweight with Yair Rodriguez against the great Alexander Volkanovski.
Jon Jones
Before the fight began many knew that the winner would face heavyweight icon Stipe Miocic most likely in July for international fight week. The return of Jon Jones was made a reality as he made his heavyweight debut against Cyril Gane. They came in at similar weights but the main question was how would Jones look carrying the extra 45 pounds on his frame. It was answered in spectacular fashion. In the very first minute Jones found himself on the back of Gane, he maintained the dominance as he worked to the fence. Here he found a vicious guillotine and Gane tapped quickly crowning Jones the heavyweight champion at UFC 285. Jones confirms that Miocic will be next for him whether that is in July or at another time.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
