Dana White talks Alexa Grasso’s UFC 285 title win, Bo Nickal’s debut, Darren Till’s release, more
LAS VEGAS – Dana White had a lot to digest on Saturday night.
With Jon Jones’ successful MMA comeback to win the UFC heavyweight title, to Alexa Grasso’s historic win over all-time great Valentina Shevchenko, the UFC president had plenty on his mind at Saturday’s UFC 285 post-fight press conference.
Speaking with reporters, White shared his thoughts on many topics including Grasso’s championship win, Bo Nickal’s dominant debut, Darren Till’s release from the promotion, and much more.
You can read White’s comments below:
Alexa Grasso's upset win over Valentina Shevchenko
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 04: Alexa Grasso of Mexico fights Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“She looked awesome tonight. Her hands were really good. When she got taken down and was on her back, I love how busy she was in the guard. She kept moving and kept Valentina working. I mean, she came in with an awesome game plan tonight and executed it perfectly. I think a lot of people, including me, thought Valentina was going to be too strong for her, too much for her. She proved everyone wrong and she looked incredible tonight.”
Chances of getting a UFC event in Mexico in 2023
Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Brandon Moreno (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Deiveson Figueiredo (red gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
“Probably, yeah. It seems like the thing to do. If you look at what’s going on with the Mexican champions and fighters right now, wait till this PI is opened down there for five, six years. Watch what’s going to happen with Mexico. We’re finally getting to where I wanted to be with Mexico. It’s been a big focus of mine since day one.”
Bo Nickal's debut win
Bo Nickal celebrates after defeating Jamie Pickett in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts middleweight bout 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 saw his opponent, the guy is huge, he’s got like 25 fights, tons of experience. I thought, listen, he’s a human being. I don’t care what level of wrestling he. This isn’t wrestling. This is a completely different game here. There’s adrenaline dumps, the nervous energy, all the things of performing in the UFC for the first time, and he blew that all out of the water. He went in there and looked incredible. Mick (Maynard) came over to me after and said, ‘You know, he wasn’t even applying that choke the right way, and he still got that choke.’ Wait till that kid is in the sport two or three years.”
Derek Brunson's corner throws in the towel in loss to Dricus du Plessis
“I saw that. I thought the fight should’ve been stopped, and I applaud his corner for throwing in the towel, I’ve seen a few fights here that I thought should’ve been stopped by the referee. Not tonight, I’m just saying, in the UFC. I thought the corner should’ve thrown in the towel.”
Darren Till's UFC release
Darren Till
“We have a great relationship with Darren Till. We like him and we respect him very much. Let me just put it to you this way, Darren Till is not the only guy that’s ever come to us and said, ‘I just can’t compete here anymore.’ He did ask for his release, and we did release him.”
“I don’t know what his plans are for outside the UFC, but he’s a guy we have a great relationship with, and we really like him and obviously. We wish him the best. If he gets to a level where he thinks he’s ready to come back to the UFC, then yeah, we’ll probably do it.”
