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Submission of the Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

Proving yet another competitive category for nominations this year — LowKick MMA’s staff were widely divided when it came…

Proving yet another competitive category for nominations this year — LowKick MMA’s staff were widely divided when it came to deciding this annum’s ‘Submission of the Year’.

Drawing a total of four separate nominations, from the likes of stunning championship rallying performances, star-making stoppages, and triumphant Octagon returns, it proved to be another award in the books for undisputed flyweight queen, Alexa Grasso this year — who stopped the dominant run of Valentina Shevchenko with a rallying face crank back in March at UFC 285.

Submission of the Year – Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs. Alexa Grasso – UFC 285 – Neck Crank – (3 votes)

Stopping the spectacularly dominant run of flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko back in March in a magnificent rallying performance, it proved practice makes perfect for Mexican star, Alexa Grasso at UFC 295 — who drilled a stunning back-take and subseqeunt face crank backstage, before translating the drill into a live-action stoppage.

March 4, 2023

UFC 285

Alexa Grasso defeats Valentina Shevchenko
via Submission (face crank) at 4:34 of Round 4 pic.twitter.com/ff9UvlS0aq

— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) September 11, 2023

Dealing with Shevchenko’s pressure and dominance throughout the course of their UFC 285 co-headliner, Grasso, who has since snatched the number one rank in the official pound-for-pound rankings, took the back of the former bantamweight title chaser in the fourth round, and immediately locked up a stunning face crank submission, forcing an eventual tap.

Honorable Mentions –

Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane – UFC 285 – Guillotine Choke – (2 votes)

Snapping his hiatus from the Octagon in his sole appearance this year back in March — atop the card in which Grasso struck gold, Jones minted himself as the new heavyweight champion, locking up a quickfire guillotine submission win over Ciryl Gane in the pair’s vacant title affair.

Yet to return to the Octagon in the time since, Jones, who made his long-anticipated heavyweight debut — turned in a spectacular stoppage win over former interim champion, Gane with just over a minute elapsed in the opening frame, handing the Frenchman his first-ever stoppage loss in mixed martial arts — courtesy of a nasty locking guillotine choke win.

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Geoff Neal – UFC 285 – Standing Rear-Naked Choke (2 votes)

Ending the year with a monumental rear-naked choke win over fan-favorite, Stephen Thompson earlier this month, unbeaten Uzbekistan finisher, Shavkat Rakhmonov turned in a standing variation of the choke on the same card as Jones’ and Grasso’s win at UFC 285 — laying waste to Geoff Neal in a testy clash.

Davey Grant vs. Raphael Assuncao – UFC Las Vegas – Inverted Triangle Choke – (2 votes)

Rallying in tremendous fashion with one of the most dynamic submissions of the year, British contender, Davey Grant may have felt hard done by with his submission effort falling short on many list’s — with a technical stoppage of Brazilian veteran, Raphael Assuncao earning him an honorable mention and two votes from the LowKick MMA staff.

Full List Of The LowKick MMA 2023 Submission Of The Year Votes:

Ross Markey: Jon Jones
Ian Shutts: Alexa Grasso
Murdo Todd: Jon Jones
Craig Pekios: Alexa Grasso
Makoa Goble: Davey Grant
Tony King: Alexa Grasso
Red Pill MMA: Shavkat Rakhmonov
Michael Owens: Shavkat Rakhmonov
Danny Podolsky: Davey Grant

Alexa Grasso vows to end fluke talk in UFC Noche rematch with Valentina Shevchenko: ‘I want to submit her again’

Ahead of her return to the Octagon at UFC Noche next month in Las Vegas, recently-minted undisputed flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso has claimed she hopes to either KO, or once again submit former titleholder, Valentina Shevchenko in the pair’s title re-run – in a bid to end suggestions of a prior fluke victory. Grasso, the […]

Grasso, the current flyweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, has been sidelined since turning in a spectacular upset win at UFC 285 back in March, submitting decorated champion, Shevchenko with a shocking rallying win, submitting the Kyrgyzstan native with a neck crank triumph.

WOWOWOWOW!!!

ALEXA GRASSO +700 WINS!!

THE CROWD CHANTS “MEH-HEE-CO!!

UFC 285 NEW CHAMPION!! pic.twitter.com/Sk4erZvH4f

— Sportsbook Consigliere (@SportsbkConsig) March 5, 2023

And booked to make her first attempted title defense in an immediate title re-run atop a UFC Noche event in September at the T-Mobile Arena, Grasso has vowed to finish Shevchenko again – in order to prevent talk of another fluke.

Alexa Grasso vows to rack up submission win over Valentina Shevchenko again

“I would love to knock her (Valentina Shevchenko) out, but I would also like to submit her again with a rear-naked choke so people don’t think it was a fluke, a mistake or anything like that,” Alexa Grasso told MMA Fighting. “I had my plan really clear. I knew she was going to turn, and that was it. It could end by submission, it could be a knockout, but I will win.”

In the midst of a five-fight winning run since making a move up to the flyweight division back in 2020, Mexican fan-favorite, Grasso debuted in the division with a unanimous decision win over Yi Jeon Kim, before beating recent winner, Maycee Barber, as well as Viviane Araujo in decision wins, after a submission success against Joanne Wood.

For Shevchenko, the decorated Muay Thai ace saw her stunning run of title fight wins come to a crashing halt with her upset loss to Grasso in March, having previously turned in a whopping seventh consecutive successful title defense in a close decision win over Taila Santos back in June of last year in Singapore at UFC 275.

Can Alexa Grasso land a second career win over Valentina Shevchenko at UFC Noche?

Ciryl Gane plays down speed of Jon Jones in reaction to UFC 285 title loss: ‘He was not fast’

Ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night Paris in September, former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane has played down the perceived speed and quickness of Jon Jones at the heavyweight limit – claiming the Endicott native “was not fast” during their one-sided UFC 285 title affair. Gane, the current two ranked […]

Gane, the current two ranked heavyweight contender, faced off with divisional newcomer, former two-time light heavyweight champion, Jones at UFC 285 back in March – with the duo competing for vacant heavyweight spoils.

And suffering a dominant opening round loss, French contender, Gane was submitted early in the first frame with a guillotine choke – suffering just his second professional loss following a prior title unification decision blemish against promotional alum, Francis Ngannou.

Ciryl Gane explains how Jon Jones wasn’t overwhelmingly quick at UFC 285

However, according to the incoming UFC Paris main event feature, Jones was not particularly fast during their UFC 285 headlining clash, instead chalking the loss to his own ability – or lack thereof to get his feet moving in tandem with his body.

“I don’t know why exactly, but I cannot manage my distance very well during some moments, and I did a mistake,” Ciryl Gane said whilst reflecting on the bout during an interview with MMA Junkie reporter, Farah Hannoun. “It wasn’t possible to manage the distance, and I did some stuff to break this atmosphere, and I did a mistake at this moment. Maybe he (Jon Jones) knew already I’m going to do this mistake, and he took his opportunity.”

“He was not fast,” Ciryl Gane explained. “Maybe he was not fast, but I was not good, too.I didn’t manage my distance. I was not good, but I remember he was not fast. He didn’t have fast hands. He had power because he touched me. I don’t remember where, but he landed punches with power, but not fast.”

Booked to headline the second edition of UFC Paris following a knockout win over Australian contender, Tai Tuivasa in France last year, Gane is slated to take on fellow European talent, Sergey Spivak at the Accor Arena in September.

Jon Jones’ return at UFC 285 touted as ‘Highest grossing commercial PPV’ for promotion in the last year

The triumphant return of two-weight UFC champion, Jon Jones has been described as the “highest-grossing commercial PPV” event the organization have hosted in the last 12 months, as per Endeavor CFO, Jason Lublin. Jones, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion inside the Octagon, made his three-year hiatus-snapping return at UFC 285 back in March of […]

Jones, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion inside the Octagon, made his three-year hiatus-snapping return at UFC 285 back in March of this year atop a UFC 285 pay-per-view event against former interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane.

Taking top-slot against the French contender, Jon Jones, a native of Endicott, managed to mint himself as the undisputed heavyweight champion in the pair’s vacant title outing, submitting Gane with a stunning opening round guillotine choke at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

And according to Endeavor – the parent company of the UFC, Jones’ successful return against Gane earlier this annum came as the highest grossing commercial pay-per-view event the organization have fielded in the last 12 months.

“At UFC, we continued to deliver more record-breaking events across the globe,” Endeavor CFO, Lublin said during an investor call this week. “UFC 284 in Perth was Australia’s highest-grossing event of all kind and UFC 285 in Las Vegas was the UFC’s highest-grossing commercial pay-per-view event within the past 12 months.”

“Additionally, UFC 286 in London was the highest-grossing event in O2 Arena history,” Lublin continued. (H/T MMA Fighting)

Jon Jones is expected to fight Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 later this year at MSG

Expected to feature at UFC 295 in a planned Madison Square Garden event in November of this year in New York, former Jackson-Wink MMA staple, Jones has been touted to headline ‘The Big Apple’ showcase in a title defense against former champion, Stipe Miocic.

And while an official confirmation pits Jon Jones and former titleholder, Stipe Miocic, UFC president, Dana White confirmed that it was more than “likely” that the duo will share the Octagon next.

Daniel Cormier reveals heartfelt message from UFC rival Jon Jones: ‘There’s good in that dude’

Former two-weight UFC champion, Daniel Cormier has once again defended his reaction to recently minted heavyweight titleholder, Jon Jones’ title victory at UFC 285 last month, claiming their is “good” in his arch-rival, detailing how Jones had sent him a private message following the passing of his father despite their rift. Cormier, a former undisputed […]

Cormier, a former undisputed heavyweight and light heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, twice competed against former two-time light heavyweight kingpin, Jones during his run with the UFC.

In their first pairing at UFC 182, Daniel Cormier dropped a unanimous decision loss against Jones, unsuccessfully prying the light heayvweight crown from the Endicott native.

In July 2017, Cormier rematched Jones in a title unification fight, and despite dropping a high kick KO loss to the then-interim titleholder initially, the bout was overturned to an official ‘No Contest’ after Jones tested positive for a turinabol metabolite.

Daniel Cormier defends his reaction to Jon Jones’ UFC 285 title win

Defending his reaction to Jones’ title victory over Ciryl Gane last month atop a UFC 285 card, Cormier claimed the former still was not past their rivalry.

“Did you see what happened after the fight?” Daniel Cormier told Henry Cejudo. “I wasn’t mad thought. When he (Jon Jones) was finishing Ciryl (Gane), his back was to me and my reaction was the same reaction as (Joe) Rogan, but because of our history it’s like, Oh, DC is mad.’ Then he says, ‘Dude couldn’t even force a smile.’ That tells you he’s not quite ready [to leave it behind]. So, we don’t need to force him. He’s ready, but he’s not quite ready yet.”

“We talked about each other’s familities [during our rivalry],” Daniel Cormier explained. “But in the darkest moments, when his mother passed, when my father passed, he sent me a message. He really did. And even in that moment, I appreciate that. For all that we’ve been through, I appreciated him sending me that message as I sent a message for his mother because we understand what family is.”

“There is good in that dude,” Daniel Cormeir said. “You just gotta be able to get to it. Nobody is without fault. Everybody is messed up. I have. So, for us to cast stones at him – that’s why in those dark moments I was never trying to pile onto him. I hope he gets better, I hope this works out for him. I never tried to kick him while he was down. In fight promotion, what you say is what you say. Especially when you a history like him and I had.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Valentina Shevchenko claims referee Jason Herzog may have affected UFC 285 title loss to Alexa Grasso

Former undisputed UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko claims referee, Jason Herzog may have negatively affected her bid to defend her championship against Alexa Grasso at UFC 285 earlier this month, criticizing the official for some “actions” which led to fatigue for her later in the fight. Shevchenko, a former bantamweight title challenger and now a […]

Shevchenko, a former bantamweight title challenger and now a former undisputed flyweight championship holder, attempted to notch her stunning eighth defense of the 125lbs crown, however, saw her run snapped by Mexican favorite, Grasso.

Establishing a comfortable lead on all three judges scorecards, in the fourth round, a miscued spinning back kick attempt from Shevchenko, resulted in the 35-year-old giving up her back to Grasso, who subsequently lept on and dragged the Krgysztan native to the Octagon canvas.

Hand fighting for some time, Shevchenko was eventually submitted with a taut neck crank from Grasso, who handed the former her first promotional loss since a September 2017 rematch loss to two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes, as well as her first defeat in 10 outings at the flyweight limit.

Immediately clamoring for a title rematch with Grasso – which the newly-crowned champion is expected to honor, Shevchenko claims some of her tiredness and lethargy in the first championship round could be chalked up to some actions from referee, Herzog.

“It’s hard to say I shouldn’t throw that spinning back kick,” Valentina Shevchenko said on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. “It’s a very powerful kick – it’s a very strong kick. I’ve done so many knockouts with this spinning back kick. It’s just the situation. It’s the fourth round and you feel not as fresh as the first round, and some actions of the referee could have provoked this tiredness that I felt during the fourth round. It’s the situation.”

“Definitely, it’s an error, it’s a mistake, but at the same time, it’s hard to say, ‘Oh my God, this is a huge, huge mistake.’” Valentina Shevchenko explained. “Definitely it’s huge because it’s a loss, but it’s not something that I cannot deal [with, or it] will bring me so much down and I will be upset.”

Valentina Shevchenko targets summer title rematch with Alexa Grasso

While the newly-minted flyweight best, Grasso offered to rematch Shevchenko as soon as September – in a now-unlikely return to her native Mexico for a title defense, the former champion has campaigned for a re-run as soon as the summer, in fact.

“I hope the UFC will come and schedule the fight very soon,” Valentina Shevchenko said. “I’m not expecting the fight itself very soon, but I’m hoping it will be scheduled soon. Then I will have a date and it will be a goal, and I will slowly and surely start my way to come back.”