Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane LIVE: Stream, latest updates and UFC 285 results
Re-live updates from the main event, plus Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso and more
Jon Jones submitted Ciryl Gane in the first round to win the vacant heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 285.
Jones had not fought in three years, but the former two-time light-heavyweight champion showed very few signs of ring rust, as he took down Gane early and forced the Frenchman to tap out to a guillotine choke.
Jones, 35, is seen by many as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, though the American’s career has also been marred by numerous failed drug tests and run-ins with the law. He once again proved his talents here, however, requiring just two minutes to beat former interim champion Gane, 32, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In the co-main event, Alexa Grasso stunned Valentina Shevchenko with a fourth-round submission to win the women’s flyweight belt and hand her opponent a first loss in six years. With that result, Grasso became the first female Mexican champion in UFC history. She also became the third active Mexican champion, with Brandon Moreno currently holding the men’s flyweight belt and Yair Rodriguez serving as interim men’s featherweight champion.
Re-live updates and results from the UFC 285 main card and prelims, below. The card aired live on BT Sport in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ streamed the action live, as did the UFC’s Fight Pass.
UFC 285 LIVE
Neal vs Rakhmonov – Round 3
Rakhmonov lands clean on Neal and backs him up to the fence! He’s firing off elbows now! Neal’s face is bloodied.
Rakhmonov now takes the back, but Neal’s takedown defence has been terrific tonight.
Rakhmonov is able to get a rear naked choke while standing, though, and Neal taps late in the round!!
17-0! Seventeen finishes!
UFC 285 LIVE
Neal vs Rakhmonov – Round 3
Rakhmonov with a head kick from range then a knee to the body in close.
Rakhmonov just about connects with a spinning wheel kick, but then he’s wobbled by a combination of punches from Neal!!
The Kazakh comes back with straight shots before grappling Neal against the fence.
UFC 285 LIVE
Neal vs Rakhmonov – Round 2
Rakhmonov kicks to the body. He’s fighting very well, but he’s keeping his chin high and hands low, and he’s been tagged quite a few times.
Rakhmonov with a lovely uppercut in close, though, then an elbow as Neal retreats!
Neal with a solid flurry of hooks now, though!
UFC 285 LIVE
Neal vs Rakhmonov – Round 1
Neal punches out Rakhmonov’s mouthguard, and the pair continue to trade straight punches.
Referee Herb Dean doesn’t seem to have noticed at all. Rakhmonov hasn’t mentioned it either.
Rakhmonov lands a head kick! That has cut open Neal.
Commentator Joe Rogan shouts at Dean about the mouthguard, and the referee separates the fighters against the fence before finding the mouthguard.
The action resumes. Both fighters trade a number of clean punches late in the round!
UFC 285 LIVE
Neal vs Rakhmonov – Round 1
Rakhmonov fires off a head kick early. Neal clinches the Kazakh and drives him to the fence.
The pair take turns reversing the position before moving back into space. Neal lands a clean right cross.
Now Neal gets through with two left crosses from southpaw, but his opponent comes back with clean right hooks.
Rakhmonov with a nice knee in the clinch.
UFC 285 LIVE
Neal, ranked seventh, missed weight by four pounds yesterday.
Rakhmonov comes into this one ranked ninth.
UFC 285 LIVE
Meanwhile, Neal is 15-4.
The American, 32, was on a seven-fight win streak until he lost to Stephen Thompson and Neil Magny on points in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
He has since bounced back with two straight wins, however, outpointing Santiago Ponzinibbio before knocking out Vicente Luque in August.
UFC 285 LIVE
Kazakhstan’s Rakhmonov is 16-0 with eight knockouts and eight submissions. The 28-year-old is seen as a potential future champion in the UFC, similar in some senses to Khamzat Chimaev.
UFC 285 LIVE
This next fight should be fun, too.
It’s Geoff Neal vs Shavkat Rakhmonov at welterweight.
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