Three months into the new year, the UFC has produced three awesome pay-per-views: The departure of a legend in January, a fight of the year candidate in February and the return of the GOAT in March. The 30th anniversary of the UFC is set up to be a great one. Today, we recap the first of March’s two PPV’s.

Bo Nickal vs Jamie Pickett

Opening the main card was the debut of one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory with Bo Nickal out of Pennsylvania. The Penn State alum put the MMA world on notice with his two Dana White Contender Series (DWCS for short) wins via dominant first round submissions.

This fight showed, as advertised, the dominance Nickal had showed in his previous fights. After staying in the standup for about 30 seconds, Nickal got the takedown and after a few grappling exchanges, he got under the chin and secured the arm triangle choke.

Official Result: Bo Nickal def. Jamie Pickett via Arm Triangle Choke (RD 1 2:54)

Matuez Gamrot vs Jalin Turner

As the appetizer to the rest of the card, lightweight contenders Matuez Gamrot and Jalin Turner clash in hopes to have their names rise up the contender list.

The two had a razor-close fight. Despite a knockdown and more significant strikes landed from Turner, Gamrot got the win from an incredibly close split decision.

Official Result: Matuez Gamrot via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Shavkat Rakmonov vs Geoff Neal

In the featured bout of the night, two high-ranked welterweight contenders look to further their chances for a title shot.

Shavkat Rakmonov is 16-0 with all of his wins coming via the finish (eight via submission, eight via knockout). Since his UFC debut in October of 2020, the Khazakstani has shocked the world with his threats on the feet and on the ground.

Geoff Neal is 15-5 with a majority of his losses having come within the last few years, as he is 2-3 since the beginning of 2020. To add on to the disparity, he missed weight for the fight with Shavkat. He weighed in at 175 pounds, 4lbs over the 171lb non-championship limit.

The fight was an absolute war. Both Rakmonov and Neal traded heavy blows to one another for all three rounds. It looked like the fight was cruising towards a decision, but Rakmonov showed off his speed and sambo skills with a standing rear-naked-choke finish.

Official Result: Shavkat Rakmonov def Geoff Neal via Rear Naked Choke (Rd 3 4:17)

Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso

The co-main event was a good one. Long reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko was looking to complete her record eighth title defense and ninth title win. Standing in her way was the sixth-ranked flyweight contender from Guadalajara, Mexico: Alexa Grasso.

The fight was very interesting. Through round three, it was incredibly close. Grasso was beginning to pick apart the champion from southpaw and she had to result to head movement and clinching, which, in turn, proved her well as she objectively won rounds two and three.

Round four was where it got interesting. Valentina threw a spinning kick, which missed. This turned out to be a crucial mistake. After the kick missed, Grasso took her back and brought her to the ground. With the insane pressure of her neck crank submission, Valentina tapped out, and Alexa Grasso pulled off the objective upset of the year.

Official Result: Alexa Grasso Def. Valentina Shevchenko via Neck Crank (Rd 4 4:04)

Jon Jones vs Cyril Gane

The main event and the return of a legend.

Jon Jones made his long-awaited return to the UFC octagon in dominant fashion with an early submission win, making history and joining elite company as champion of two weight classes.

He joins Randy Couture, George St. Pierre, Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier and BJ Penn as the only fighters to ever hold two UFC belts in two different divisions.

As for Gane, he is in an interesting spot. As of right now, he is headed to title limbo where a fighter is good enough to hold the number one ranking, but not good enough to win the belt (think guys like Dustin Porier).

He will bounce back, I’m incredibly sure of it. However, the big question is, against who?

Official Result: Jon Jones def. Cyril Gane via Guillotine choke (RD 1 2:04)