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UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos
The poster for UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateMarch 14, 2015 (2015-03-14)
VenueAmerican Airlines Center
CityDallas, Texas
Attendance14,298[1]
Total gate$2,155,630[1]
Buyrate310,000[2]
Event chronology
UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare

UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos was a mixed martial arts event held on March 14, 2015, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.[3]

Background

[edit]

The event was the third that the UFC has hosted in Dallas, Texas.[4]

The event was headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout between current champion Anthony Pettis and top contender Rafael dos Anjos.[5]

The co-main event featured a UFC Women's Strawweight Championship bout between current champion Carla Esparza and top contender Joanna Jędrzejczyk.[6]

Matt Brown was scheduled to face Tarec Saffiedine in the main event of UFC Fight Night 60. However, Saffiedine pulled out due to a groin injury and Brown was instead matched up against former UFC Welterweight champion Johny Hendricks at this event.[7]

Vagner Rocha was expected to face promotional newcomer Joseph Duffy at the event. However, Rocha pulled out of the bout in early February and was replaced by Jake Lindsey.[8]

Daron Cruickshank missed weight on his first attempt at the weigh ins, coming in at 157.5 pounds. He was given additional time to make the lightweight limit, but missed weight again, coming in at 157 pounds. Subsequently, he was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Beneil Dariush.[9]

Results

[edit]
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Rafael dos Anjos def. Anthony Pettis (c) Decision (unanimous) (50–45, 50–45, 50–45) 5 5:00 [a]
Women's Strawweight Joanna Jędrzejczyk def. Carla Esparza (c) TKO (punches) 2 4:17 [b]
Welterweight Johny Hendricks def. Matt Brown Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Heavyweight Alistair Overeem def. Roy Nelson Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Flyweight Henry Cejudo def. Chris Cariaso Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Preliminary Card (FX)
Lightweight Ross Pearson def. Sam Stout KO (punches) 2 1:33
Middleweight Elias Theodorou def. Roger Narvaez TKO (punches) 2 4:07
Catchweight (157 lb) Beneil Dariush def. Daron Cruickshank Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 2:48
Heavyweight Jared Rosholt def. Josh Copeland TKO (punches) 3 3:12
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Flyweight Ryan Benoit def. Sergio Pettis TKO (punches) 2 1:34
Lightweight Joseph Duffy def. Jake Lindsey TKO (head kick and body punch) 1 1:47
Women's Bantamweight Germaine de Randamie def. Larissa Pacheco TKO (punches) 2 2:02
  1. ^ For the UFC Lightweight Championship.
  2. ^ For the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship.

[10]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[11]

  • Fight of the Night: None awarded
  • Performance of the Night: Rafael dos Anjos, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Ross Pearson and Beneil Dariush

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

UFC 185

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on March 14, 2015, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.[1] It marked the promotion's second pay-per-view event in Dallas, following UFC 171 the previous year. The card featured 12 bouts, with two championship fights headlining the night, drawing a live attendance of 17,160 and generating a gate revenue of $2,155,000. The main event pitted UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis against top contender Rafael dos Anjos in a highly anticipated title defense.[1] Dos Anjos, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with a 5-fight winning streak entering the bout, delivered a dominant performance, outstriking and outwrestling Pettis to claim the championship by unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, 50–45).[2] This upset victory ended Pettis's reign and propelled dos Anjos to a nearly two-year title run, highlighting his evolution into one of the division's most versatile fighters.[3] In the co-main event, UFC women's strawweight champion Carla Esparza made her first title defense against Polish striker Joanna Jędrzejczyk.[1] Esparza, who had won the inaugural belt at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, faced a formidable challenger in Jędrzejczyk, known for her Muay Thai background and knockout power.[3] Jędrzejczyk overwhelmed Esparza with precise striking, securing the win by TKO (punches) at 4:17 of the second round and beginning her own dominant five-year championship era in the division.[1] This fight represented the first-ever women's strawweight title defense in UFC history.[4] The undercard included several competitive matchups, such as former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks defeating Matt Brown by unanimous decision in a pivotal welterweight bout, and heavyweight Alistair Overeem outpointing Roy Nelson in a technical striking clinic that went the distance.[1] Flyweight prospect Henry Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, also earned a unanimous decision victory over Chris Cariaso, solidifying his rise in the division.[2] Overall, UFC 185 showcased a mix of title implications, upsets, and finishes, contributing to the UFC's growing presence in the competitive Texas market.[3]

Event Overview

Date, Venue, and Promotion

UFC 185 was held on March 14, 2015.[1] The event took place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, which served as the venue for the third UFC card hosted there, following UFC 103 in 2009 and UFC 171 in 2014.[5][1] The promotion was organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world's leading mixed martial arts organization, as part of its numbered pay-per-view series.[1] Officially subtitled UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos, the billing highlighted the lightweight title bout between champion Anthony Pettis and challenger Rafael dos Anjos as the main event.

Attendance, Gate, and Broadcast

UFC 185 attracted 17,160 spectators to the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, marking a solid turnout for the event despite the venue's capacity exceeding 20,000 for similar configurations.[6] The live gate revenue reached $2,155,000, reflecting strong ticket sales driven by the double-title fight card featuring high-profile matchups in the lightweight and strawweight divisions.[6] The pay-per-view broadcast generated an estimated 275,000 buys, a respectable figure for a non-superstar headlined event in early 2015, bolstered by the anticipation surrounding champion Anthony Pettis's defense and the emergence of strawweight contender Joanna Jędrzejczyk.[7] In the United States, the main card was available via traditional pay-per-view providers and UFC Fight Pass, while the preliminary card aired on FX at 8 p.m. ET due to scheduling conflicts with Fox Sports 1, and early prelims streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass starting at 7 p.m. ET.[8] Internationally, UFC 185 was distributed through a network of regional broadcast partners, including ESPN platforms in markets such as Australia and parts of Latin America, ensuring broad accessibility to global audiences.[1] This multi-platform approach contributed to the event's overall media reach, aligning with the UFC's expanding international footprint at the time.[1]

Background

Announcement and Planning

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) unveiled its comprehensive 2015 event calendar on November 17, 2014, which included UFC 185 scheduled for March 14 as one of 13 numbered pay-per-view events throughout the year.[9][10] This announcement positioned UFC 185 as a key installment in the promotion's aggressive expansion, following closely on the heels of UFC 184 on February 28 and emphasizing high-stakes title bouts to drive pay-per-view sales amid a packed schedule of 45 total events.[9] Dallas, Texas, was selected as the host city for UFC 185, with the venue at American Airlines Center confirmed alongside the event's location reveal on January 3, 2015. The choice reflected Texas's burgeoning mixed martial arts (MMA) landscape, bolstered by the success of previous UFC outings in the state, including the sold-out UFC 171 at the same arena in March 2014, which drew 19,324 fans and generated a gate of $2.6 million.[11][12] The initial headliner for UFC 185 was announced on the same January 3 date during the UFC 182 preliminary broadcasts on FOX Sports 1, pitting UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis against top contender Rafael dos Anjos in a title defense.[11] This matchup was selected to capitalize on Pettis's star power following his recovery from injury and dos Anjos's recent five-fight winning streak, setting the tone for a card focused on championship implications.[13][14]

Fight Card Assembly and Changes

The main event for UFC 185 featured UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis defending his title against Rafael dos Anjos.[15] Pettis had recently captured the belt by defeating Gilbert Melendez via third-round submission at UFC 181 in December 2014, marking his first successful defense.[15] Dos Anjos earned the title shot through a series of impressive performances, including a second-round TKO victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 179 in October 2014 and a unanimous decision win against Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 13 in December 2014, establishing him as the division's top contender. The co-main event pitted UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza against Joanna Jędrzejczyk in Esparza's first title defense.[16] Esparza had won the inaugural UFC strawweight championship by submitting Rose Namajunas in the fifth round at The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 Finale in December 2014.[16] Jędrzejczyk, an undefeated prospect, rose to prominence with a six-fight winning streak in Invicta FC, where she captured the strawweight title, followed by UFC victories over Juliana Lima via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 47 in August 2014 and Claudia Gadelha via TKO at UFC 178 in September 2014.[17] The undercard was bolstered by high-profile additions to enhance the event's appeal. A heavyweight clash between Alistair Overeem and Roy Nelson was announced on January 6, 2015, bringing veteran star power to the main card, with Overeem riding a knockout win over Stefan Struve and Nelson seeking to rebound from recent losses.[18] In the welterweight division, Matt Brown was originally scheduled to face Tarec Saffiedine in the main event of UFC Fight Night 60, but Saffiedine's injury forced a reshuffling; Brown was instead matched against former champion Johny Hendricks for UFC 185 on January 13, 2015, creating a pivotal matchup between two top contenders.[19] Further adjustments occurred on the preliminary card when Vagner Rocha withdrew due to a knee injury, leading to Jake Lindsey stepping in as his replacement against Joseph Duffy on February 4, 2015; no other significant bout changes were reported.[20] At the official weigh-ins on March 13, 2015, all title fight participants successfully made weight, but lightweight Daron Cruickshank came in at 157 pounds—initially 157.5 pounds—exceeding the 156-pound non-title limit for his bout against Beneil Dariush, resulting in a 20 percent fine from his purse being awarded to his opponent; the fight proceeded at catchweight.[8]

Fight Results

Main Card Outcomes

In the flyweight opener, Henry Cejudo defeated Chris Cariaso by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), showcasing his Olympic wrestling pedigree through consistent takedown control and ground dominance. Cejudo outlanded Cariaso 50-22 in significant strikes while securing multiple takedowns across all three rounds, including two in the first and second rounds alone, preventing Cariaso from mounting effective offense. This victory marked Cejudo's second win in the UFC flyweight division, building on his debut performance following weight cut challenges that delayed his initial UFC appearance.[21][22][23] Alistair Overeem won a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over Roy Nelson in their heavyweight clash, relying on superior stand-up striking to outpoint his opponent. Overeem targeted Nelson's body with jumping knees and low kicks throughout, battering him while slipping away from Nelson's powerful haymakers, which landed only sporadically. Nelson absorbed heavy damage but remained durable, though Overeem's technical edge in distance management and clinch work secured the clear victory.[24][25][26] Johny Hendricks claimed a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) against Matt Brown in the welterweight bout, neutralizing Brown's knockout threat with relentless wrestling. Hendricks completed seven takedowns, spending significant time in top position to control the pace and avoid prolonged striking exchanges. Brown attempted submissions from the bottom but could not reverse the grappling advantage, allowing Hendricks to rebound from recent setbacks.[27][28][29] Joanna Jędrzejczyk defeated champion Carla Esparza to win the UFC women's strawweight title with a second-round TKO (strikes) victory at 4:17, overwhelming the champion with precise kickboxing after defending early grappling attempts. Jędrzejczyk targeted Esparza's legs with devastating low kicks that compromised her mobility, then transitioned to ground strikes following a failed takedown by Esparza, forcing the referee stoppage. This performance highlighted Jędrzejczyk's striking superiority, extending her undefeated streak.[30][31][32] In the main event, Rafael dos Anjos dethroned lightweight champion Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45), dominating with a high-volume wrestling and striking attack over five rounds. Dos Anjos landed 90 significant strikes to Pettis's 54 and secured nine of ten takedown attempts, controlling the fight on the mat while mixing in leg kicks and body shots to wear down the defender. Pettis struggled with the pace and defense, managing few counters despite his dynamic style.[33][34][35]

Preliminary Card Outcomes

The preliminary card at UFC 185 delivered seven stoppage finishes across the early prelims on UFC Fight Pass and the main prelims on Fox Sports 1, showcasing a high rate of decisive outcomes in the undercard bouts. Daron Cruickshank weighed in at 157 pounds for his lightweight matchup, missing the limit by two pounds and agreeing to a catchweight with opponent Beneil Dariush.[8] Key results included:

Aftermath

Bonus Awards

Following UFC 185, the Ultimate Fighting Championship awarded four Performance of the Night bonuses, each valued at $50,000, recognizing standout individual performances in the Octagon.[37] Rafael dos Anjos received one for his dominant unanimous decision victory over Anthony Pettis in the main event, capturing the UFC Lightweight Championship through superior striking and grappling control. Joanna Jędrzejczyk earned hers for her second-round TKO (punches) of Carla Esparza in the co-main event, claiming the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship with a shot to the head followed by a flurry of ground strikes.[37] On the preliminary card, Ross Pearson was awarded $50,000 for his second-round knockout of Sam Stout via a right hand that dropped his opponent, leading to a finishing ground strike. Beneil Dariush secured the final Performance of the Night bonus for submitting Daron Cruickshank with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their lightweight bout.[37] No Fight of the Night bonus was issued, as the UFC determined none of the bouts met the criteria for an exceptionally competitive or back-and-forth affair.[38] UFC President Dana White announced the bonuses during the post-event press conference held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.[39]

Long-Term Impacts

Rafael dos Anjos's victory over Anthony Pettis at UFC 185 marked the beginning of his tenure as UFC lightweight champion, which he held from March 2015 until July 2016.[40] During this period, dos Anjos successfully defended the title twice—first against Donald Cerrone in December 2015 and then against Eddie Alvarez in July 2016, where he lost the belt—showcasing a balanced skill set that combined grappling prowess with striking power.[40] This reign elevated dos Anjos's status within the division, establishing him as a formidable grappler-striker who dominated through pressure wrestling and knockout threat, influencing subsequent lightweight contenders to adapt to his aggressive style.[41] Joanna Jędrzejczyk's TKO win over Carla Esparza at the event launched her as a dominant force in the UFC women's strawweight division, capturing the title in March 2015.[42] She defended the championship five times from June 2015 to May 2017—against Jessica Penne, Valerie Letourneau, Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Jéssica Andrade—before losing it to Rose Namajunas in November 2017, amassing a record of 5-0 in title bouts during her reign.[42] Jędrzejczyk's era, characterized by her Muay Thai striking and resilience, positioned her as one of the most celebrated female champions in UFC history, inspiring a generation of strawweight fighters and solidifying the division's global appeal.[43] Among other fighters, Johny Hendricks's unanimous decision victory over Matt Brown halted a two-fight skid but ultimately contributed to ongoing weight management challenges that plagued his later career.[44] Alistair Overeem's unanimous decision over Roy Nelson extended his heavyweight resurgence, marking his third win in four UFC outings and paving the way for a title shot against Stipe Miocic in 2016.[25] Henry Cejudo's unanimous decision victory over Chris Cariaso provided early momentum in the flyweight division, propelling him toward future successes including the flyweight title in 2018 and the bantamweight crown in 2019.[45] The event prompted notable shifts in two divisions: Jędrzejczyk's reign helped solidify the strawweight class as a cornerstone of women's MMA, fostering depth and high-profile matchups that elevated its prominence.[46] In the lightweight division, dos Anjos's upset ended Pettis's brief 17-month championship run, ushering in a more competitive era with frequent title turnovers.[47] UFC 185 holds historical significance as the first event since UFC 100 in 2009 to feature simultaneous changes in two undisputed titles on the main card, highlighting the promotion's growing emphasis on multi-division stakes. Additionally, the successful pay-per-view in Dallas contributed to the UFC's expansion in Texas markets, leading to subsequent events like UFC 192 in Houston later that year and a sustained presence in the state.

References

  1. UFC 185 | Pettis vs Dos Anjos
  2. UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos Fight Results - ESPN
  3. UFC 185 Results: Pettis vs. dos Anjos - MMA Fighting
  4. UFC 185: 3 things you need to know - theScore.com
  5. UFC 103 | FRANKLIN vs BELFORT
  6. Page Not Found (404) | MMA Junkie
  7. UFC Fight Night 152 Main Event Preview: Stats, Facts And Number ...
  8. UFC 185 Weigh-In Results
  9. The Time is Now: UFC Announces Full 2015 Schedule
  10. Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael dos Anjos headlines UFC 185 in Dallas
  11. Anthony Pettis-Rafael dos Anjos set - ESPN
  12. Anthony Pettis Will Defend Belt Against Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 185
  13. Esparza Makes First Defense at UFC 185
  14. Carla Esparza-Joanna Jedrzejczyk set - ESPN
  15. Roy Nelson vs. Alistair Overeem joins UFC 185 lineup | FOX Sports
  16. Thatch-Wonderboy to Main Event; Brown-Hendricks to Dallas | UFC
  17. Duffy to Now Face Lindsey in UFC Debut | UFC
  18. L - Stats | UFC
  19. Henry Cejudo puts on golden performance over Chris Cariaso | FOX ...
  20. UFC 185 live blog: Chris Cariaso vs. Henry Cejudo | MMA Fighting
  21. L - UFC Stats
  22. UFC 185 results, photos: Alistair Overeem knees and kicks his way ...
  23. Alistair Overeem punishes Roy Nelson with body shots to win at ...
  24. UFC 185 results: Johny Hendricks rebounds with impressive win ...
  25. Bigg Rigg - Stats | UFC
  26. UFC 185 results recap: Johny Hendricks vs Matt Brown fight review ...
  27. Cookie Monster - Stats | UFC
  28. UFC 185: Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Carla Esparza fight video highlights
  29. Joanna Jedrzejczyk Destroys Carla Esparza in Strawweight Title Fight
  30. UFC 185: Pettis vs Dos Anjos - UFC Stats
  31. Pettis vs. Dos Anjos Results: Analyzing Performance of UFC 185 ...
  32. Dos Anjos Domination - RDA Stuns Pettis, Wins 155-Pound Crown
  33. UFC 185 Results: 'Pettis vs. Dos Anjos' Play-by-Play & Updates
  34. UFC 185 Bonuses: Dos Anjos, Jedrzejczyk, Pearson, Dariush Earn ...
  35. UFC 185 Fight Card – Main Card & Prelims Lineup - MMA Scene
  36. UFC 185 Fighter Bonuses: New Champions Lead the Charge
  37. Rafael Dos Anjos (Welterweight) MMA Profile - ESPN
  38. Rafael Dos Anjos - UFC.com
  39. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (Women's Strawweight) MMA Profile - ESPN
  40. UFC Strawweight Title Lineage
  41. Johny Hendricks explains how moving to middleweight saved him ...
  42. Henry Cejudo MMA Fight History - ESPN
  43. UFC 185 Results: Joanna Jedrzejczyk and the Still-Developing ...
  44. Rafael dos Anjos' win proves the lightweight division is the most ...
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