Latest news with #UFC285
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Coach Ray Longo: UFC should strip Jon Jones to be fair to Tom Aspinall, fans
Coach Ray Longo: UFC should strip Jon Jones to be fair to Tom Aspinall, fans Coach Ray Longo thinks the UFC should strip Jon Jones of the heavyweight title to be fair to interim champ Tom Aspinall and the fans. Judging by recent social media posts and comments, Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) has been "living his best life" while leading the public to believe he has no intention of ever fighting Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC). Jones won the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 in March 2023 and has only defended the title once against a since-retired Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. Meanwhile, Aspinall won an interim title at UFC 295 in November 2023 and recorded a rare interim defense at UFC 304 last July. "I'm almost starting to think he's doing it because he can do it, you know?" Longo said on the "Anik & Florian Podcast." "It's like, why does a dog lick its balls? Because it can. It seems like it's a power thing. Like it's, 'We're gonna do this on my timeline and you can't do anything about it.' That's what it seems like to me." Aspinall has repeatedly stated he doesn't want to necessarily fight Jones, but rather he wants the opportunity to become an undisputed champion and begin his title reign. All the while, Jones appears less than interested in giving Apsinall the chance to unify the titles. "That sucks for the fans and that sucks for the UFC," Longo said. "That's why I say I think he's the type of guy, 'I'm gonna do what I want to do, and I don't give a f*ck what you think.' I think that's who he is and that's what he's doing right now. He's holding the power, and that's how he decides to use it. "... The UFC can't do anything. They should strip him of the title. I don't think it's fair to Tom Aspinall. This poor guy's been waiting – he'll be waiting for 15 years before he sees the title. Is that right?" Lead UFC commentator Jon Anik rebutted by saying he believes Jones isn't concerned with being stripped of the title, because if he's going to fight on his timeline, he'll still command the same money, champion or not, and will have the luxury of competing when he's ready. At the same time, Aspinall potentially gets worn down by taking on other fights. Kenny Florian added that the UFC may be in a position where keeping the title around Jones' waist may be more beneficial than not. "You know, Kenny, the only reason I'm going to agree with you is because if you were wrong, they would have did it already," Longo said. "This is a great example of, 'I'm gonna do what's best for me.' If everybody does what's best for them, nothing will f*cking get done, trust me. Somebody's got to be the caretaker and get in there, because that's it. I'll do what's best for me, I'll do what's best for me – and you know what's gonna happen? Nothing. This is what's gonna happen. I think that's where being selfish like that is total bullsh*t. Good luck dealing with that guy. I don't know. The fans suffer, that's what really happens."
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC contender Alexander Volkov frustrated with Jon Jones: 'Everyone is waiting'
UFC contender Alexander Volkov frustrated with Jon Jones: 'Everyone is waiting' Add UFC heavyweight veteran Alexander Volkov to the list of people frustrated with Jon Jones holding up the division. Volkov (38-11 MMA, 12-5 UFC), currently ranked No. 3 by the promotion in the heavyweight division, wants clarity in the title picture. Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) is expected to fight a title unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall next. However, after the promotion announced its summer slate of pay-per-view main events, the Jones vs. Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) fight remains unscheduled. It's a frustrating position for the Russian heavyweight. Volkov, 36, knows his window of opportunity to earn a title shot is rapidly closing. "As a fighter, of course, I have a negative opinion about the delay of the Jones-Aspinall fight, because my chances to fight for the championship title are getting smaller, and time is running out," Volkov told ChampionAT in Russian (translated by Google). "In other weight classes, there is a real conveyor belt of fights. That is why I am unhappy. So I would have had a chance to test myself in a title fight a long time ago, if it were not for Jon Jones." Jones won the vacant title by submitting Ciryl Gane in the first round at UFC 285 in March 2023. Jones did not defend his title until UFC 309 in November 2024, where he easily dispatched Stipe Miocic, which was a heavily criticized matchup. Miocic was 42, and had not won a fight since August 2020. Meanwhile, Aspinall was right there waiting as a top contender, as he is today, but with a piece of the title. UFC CEO Dana White has said on more than one occasion that the Jones vs. Aspinall fight will come together soon, but the demeanor Jones has displayed on social media suggests he's closer to never fighting again than getting ready for another fight. Volkov, who saw a four-fight winning streak come to an end in a split decision loss to Gane at UFC 310 in December, hopes things clear up soon. He likely has to win a fight or two to earn a shot at the title, but he would like to know what is necessary. Despite being frustrated with the situation, Volkov said he understands Jones' position as a hot commodity who can call his own shots. However, he also wonders why the UFC continues to entertain Jones while it ruins the flow of the division. "If I were in Jones' place, with his position, the goal of earning the maximum amount of money and the desire to fight when it is convenient for him, then, of course, I would continue to do this," Volkov said. "It is obvious that he does, first and foremost, what is beneficial for him, and Jon has the right to do this. The question here is not so much about Jon Jones, but about the fact that the UFC allows him to behave this way and shows excessive loyalty to him. As a result, everyone is waiting."
USA Today
11-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 315 results: Natalia Silva outclasses former champion Alexa Grasso in clear decision
UFC 315 results: Natalia Silva outclasses former champion Alexa Grasso in clear decision Natalia Silva may have punched her ticket to a title shot after clearly outworking former champ Alexa Grasso at UFC 315. Natalia Silva styled on former champion Alexa Grasso, and her own title shot may be right around the corner. On the main card of UFC 315 at Bell Centre in Montreal, Silva (19-5-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) took on Grasso (16-5-1 MMA, 8-5-1 UFC) in an important matchup between top 5 women's flyweight contenders. After 15 minutes, Silva got her hand raised after judges turned in unanimous 30-27 scores in her favor. Silva came out light on her feet, striking early and often. Quick punches and kicks found their target at Grasso appeared to study Silva's movements. Grasso was unable to get Silva to the ground in a scramble, and then was kicked square in the face later in the opening round. The first five minutes belonged to Silva, as she got the better of virtually every exchange. In Round 2, Silva's footwork and quick-twitch movements continued to be a problem for the former champion. Grasso chased Silva all over the octagon while offering a double jab, but couldn't corral her opponent to cause significant damage. Aside from a late heated exchange in Round 2, Silva largely stuck to her stick-and-move approach. With just five minutes remaining, Grasso needed something big to win the fight. The former champ turned up the forward pressure, but Silva was still too slick as she bounced around the octagon, sniping Grasso with quick shots. From beginning to end, it was all Silva. With the win, Brazil's Silva improves to 7-0 in the UFC and is now on the verge of a shot at the title, which will be on the line in the co-main event. Since entering the promotion in 2022, Silva has continued to shine as her level of competition has steadily increased. Grasso walks away with her second consecutive loss, as she entered this fight after losing the flyweight title to Valentina Shevchenko in a trilogy bout at UFC 306 in September. Prior to the three fights against Shevchenko, Mexico's Grasso won four consecutive fights to earn a shot at the title, which she won at UFC 285 and retained in a split draw at the first Noche UFC in 2023. Up-to-the-minute UFC 315 results
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva prediction, pick, start time for UFC 315
Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva prediction, pick, start time for UFC 315 Former champ Alexa Grasso looks to get back on track against a red-hot contender Natalia Silva. Who puts their name in the flyweight title mix? Alexa Grasso and Natalia Silva meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 315 at Bell Center in Montreal. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 4-2 UFC main cards, 2025: 41-35-1 Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva UFC 315 preview Grasso (16-4-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) enters her first fight of the year aiming to rebound from a title loss in a trilogy bout against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 306. The former champion won the title by submitting Shevchenko at UFC 285, and then fought her to a split draw in a rematch in the first Noche UFC. Grasso, 31, won four straight to earn her first title opportunity, and has a chance to get right back in the title mix with a win here. ... Silva (18-5-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has been on a hot streak entering a fight against a second straight former UFC champ. In her prior outing, the Brazilian flyweight won a unanimous decsiion over Jessica Andrade in September. Now on a 12-fight winning streak, Silva, 28, is undefeated in the UFC and knocking on the door of a title opportunity. Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva UFC 315 expert pick, prediction Filling out the main card is a women's flyweight fight between Grasso and Silva. Grasso is fresh off her title loss at UFC Noche last year, while Silva has been nothing short of on fire during this 6-fight run inside the octagon. I'm a fan of Grasso, but the UFC isn't doing her any favors with this booking from a stylistic perspective. Although Grasso has an underrated submission game and an ability to hang with most women on the feet, I suspect that Silva's kick-heavy game will tax the boxing-centric stylings of her Mexican counterpart. Silva also appears to have some solid counter-wrestling tools and a smart use of collar ties to boot, so don't be shocked if the Brazilian is able to frustrate the former champ. The pick is Silva by unanimous decision. Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva UFC 315 odds The oddsmakers and the public favor the Brazilian fighter, listing Silva -265 and Grasso +210 via FanDuel. Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva UFC 315 start time, how to watch Grasso and Silva are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 10:40 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Valentina Shevchenko's custom dragon fight kit revealed before UFC 315
Valentina Shevchenko will attempt the first defense of her second UFC title reign in style. Shevchenko is set to put her women's flyweight championship on the line Saturday against top contender Manon Fiorot in the UFC 315 co-main event from Bell Centre in Montreal. It'll be Shevchenko's first fight since she reclaimed the 125-pound title from Alexa Grasso to complete their trilogy. When Shevchenko steps into the cage at UFC 315, she'll be sporting a custom Venum fight kit, which the UFC revealed Tuesday. It's primarily gold and green and features a bold dragon design with a gold bullet, inspired by her nickname, in the center of the chest and on the shorts. UNLEASH THE DRAGON 🐉@BulletValentina will wear this custom fight kit on Saturday night! Buy your own here: | @UFCStore — UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2025 Shevchenko, 37, was the UFC women's flyweight champion with seven consecutive title defenses between 2019 and 2023, when Grasso submitted her in stunning fashion at UFC 285. Six months later at Noche UFC, Shevchenko and Grasso fought to split draw, which was highly debated by fans and pundits alike. After serving as opposing coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter," Shevchenko and Grasso completed their trilogy last September at UFC 306 where "Bullet" reclaimed the title with a unanimous decision win. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Now Shevchenko will kick off her second title reign against Fiorot, 35, who hasn't lost since her professional debut in June 2018. Fiorot is on a 12-fight winning streak, including 7-0 in the UFC, with signature victories over Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 315: Valentina Shevchenko's custom fight kit revealed
