Dana White talks Alexa Grasso’s UFC 285 title win, Bo Nickal’s debut, Darren Till’s release, more
LAS VEGAS – Dana White there was a lot to digest on Saturday night.
WITH John Jonessuccessful return to MMA and winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Alexa Grassohistoric victory over the unprecedented great Valentina ShevchenkoThe UFC president had a lot on his mind at Saturday’s post-fight press conference at UFC 285.
Speaking to reporters, White shared his thoughts on many topics, including Grasso’s championship win, Bo Nickaldominant opening, Darren Tillexemption and much more.
You can read White’s comments below:
Alexa Grasso upset win over Valentina Shevchenko
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 04: Mexico’s Alexa Grasso fights Kyrgyzstan’s Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Flyweight Championship during UFC 285 at the T-Mobile Arena on March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Greiten/Getty Images)
“She looked amazing tonight. Her hands were really good. When she was removed and she was lying on her back, I like how busy she was in security. She kept moving and made Valentina work. I mean, tonight she came in with an amazing game plan and executed it perfectly. I think a lot of people, myself included, thought Valentina would be too strong for her, too strong for her. She proved everyone wrong and she looked incredible today.”
Chances of getting into the UFC in Mexico in 2023
January 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Brandon Moreno (blue gloves) reacts after fighting Deiveson Figueiredo (red gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
“Yeah, I guess. It looks like the right thing to do. If you look at what’s going on with Mexican champions and fighters right now, wait until this IP opens up there for five or six years. Look what happens to Mexico. We finally got to where I wanted to go with Mexico, and from day one I paid a lot of attention to that.”
Debut victory for Bo Nikal
Bo Nickal celebrates defeating Jamie Pickett in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts middleweight bout on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) ORG XMIT: NVDB105
“I had a lot of questions about him and when you see his opponent, this guy is huge, he has like 25 fights, tons of experience. I thought, look, he’s human. I don’t care what level of fighting he has. This is not a fight. It’s a completely different game here. Adrenaline rush, nervous energy, everything you need for the first appearance in the UFC, and he threw it all out of the water. He walked in and looked incredible. Mick (Maynard) came up to me later and said, “You know, he didn’t even get that choke right and he got that choke anyway.” Wait until that kid has been in the sport for two or three years.”
Derek Brunson’s corner turned in the towel in a loss to Drickus du Plessis
“I saw it. I thought the fight should have been stopped and I applaud his corner for throwing in the towel. I saw a few fights here that I thought should have been stopped by the referee. Not today, I just say, in the UFC. I thought the corner had to give up. “
Darren Till release in UFC
Darren Till
“We have a great relationship with Darren Till. We love him and respect him very much. Let me tell you that Darren Till is not the only guy who has ever come to us and said, “I just can’t compete here anymore.” He asked to be released, and we released him.”
“I don’t know what his plans are outside the UFC, but he is a guy with whom we have a great relationship and we really like him, and it’s obvious. We wish him all the best. If he gets to the point where he thinks he’s ready to come back to the UFC, then yes, we’ll probably do it.”
Source: sports.yahoo.com
