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UFC 185

UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos was a event produced by the (UFC) on March 14, 2015, at the in , . It marked the promotion's second event in , following 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 Anthony Pettis against top contender Rafael dos Anjos in a highly anticipated title defense. Dos Anjos, a specialist with a 5-fight winning streak entering the bout, delivered a dominant performance, outstriking and outwrestling Pettis to claim the championship by (50–45, 50–45, 50–45). 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. In the co-main event, UFC women's strawweight champion made her first title defense against Polish striker . Esparza, who had won the inaugural belt at 20 Finale, faced a formidable challenger in Jędrzejczyk, known for her background and knockout power. Jędrzejczyk overwhelmed Esparza with precise striking, securing the win by (punches) at 4:17 of the second round and beginning her own dominant five-year championship era in the division. This fight represented the first-ever women's strawweight title defense in UFC history. The undercard included several competitive matchups, such as former champion defeating Matt Brown by in a pivotal bout, and outpointing Roy Nelson in a technical striking clinic that went the distance. Flyweight prospect , an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, also earned a victory over , solidifying his rise in the division. Overall, UFC 185 showcased a mix of title implications, upsets, and finishes, contributing to the UFC's growing presence in the competitive market.

Event Overview

Date, Venue, and Promotion

UFC 185 was held on March 14, 2015. The event took place at the in , Texas, which served as the venue for the third UFC card hosted there, following in 2009 and in 2014. The promotion was organized by the (UFC), the world's leading organization, as part of its numbered pay-per-view series. Officially subtitled UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos, the billing highlighted the lightweight title bout between champion and challenger as the main event.

Attendance, Gate, and Broadcast

UFC 185 attracted 17,160 spectators to the in , , marking a solid turnout for the event despite the venue's capacity exceeding 20,000 for similar configurations. 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. The 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 . In the United States, the main card was available via traditional providers and , while the preliminary card aired on at 8 p.m. due to scheduling conflicts with , and early prelims streamed exclusively on starting at 7 p.m. . 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. This multi-platform approach contributed to the event's overall media reach, aligning with the UFC's expanding international footprint at the time.

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. 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. Dallas, Texas, was selected as the host city for UFC 185, with the venue at confirmed alongside the event's location reveal on January 3, 2015. The choice reflected Texas's burgeoning (MMA) landscape, bolstered by the success of previous UFC outings in the state, including the sold-out at the same arena in March 2014, which drew 19,324 fans and generated a gate of $2.6 million. The initial headliner for UFC 185 was announced on the same January 3 date during the preliminary broadcasts on , pitting UFC champion against top contender in a title defense. 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.

Fight Card Assembly and Changes

The main event for UFC 185 featured UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis defending his title against Rafael dos Anjos. 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. 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 against in Esparza's first title defense. Esparza had won the inaugural UFC strawweight championship by submitting in the fifth round at Season 20 Finale in December 2014. Jędrzejczyk, an undefeated prospect, rose to prominence with a six-fight 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 in September 2014. The undercard was bolstered by high-profile additions to enhance the event's appeal. A heavyweight clash between and Roy Nelson was announced on January 6, 2015, bringing veteran star power to the main card, with Overeem riding a knockout win over and Nelson seeking to rebound from recent losses. In the welterweight division, Matt Brown was originally scheduled to face in the main event of UFC Fight Night 60, but Saffiedine's injury forced a reshuffling; Brown was instead matched against former champion for UFC 185 on January 13, 2015, creating a pivotal matchup between two top contenders. 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. 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.

Fight Results

Main Card Outcomes

In the flyweight opener, defeated by (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. Alistair Overeem won a (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over in their 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 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. 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. Joanna Jędrzejczyk defeated champion to win the UFC women's strawweight title with a second-round (strikes) victory at 4:17, overwhelming the champion with precise after defending early 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. In the main event, dethroned lightweight champion via (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.

Preliminary Card Outcomes

The preliminary card at UFC 185 delivered seven stoppage finishes across the early prelims on and the main prelims on , showcasing a high rate of decisive outcomes in the undercard bouts. weighed in at 157 pounds for his matchup, missing the limit by two pounds and agreeing to a with opponent . 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. 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. On the preliminary card, was awarded $50,000 for his second-round knockout of via a right hand that dropped his opponent, leading to a finishing ground strike. secured the final Performance of the Night bonus for submitting with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their bout. 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. UFC President announced the bonuses during the post-event press conference held at the in , .

Long-Term Impacts

Rafael dos Anjos's victory over at UFC 185 marked the beginning of his tenure as UFC champion, which he held from March 2015 until July 2016. During this period, dos Anjos successfully defended the title twice—first against in December 2015 and then against in July 2016, where he lost the belt—showcasing a balanced skill set that combined prowess with striking power. This reign elevated dos Anjos's status within the division, establishing him as a formidable grappler-striker who dominated through pressure wrestling and threat, influencing subsequent contenders to adapt to his aggressive style. Joanna Jędrzejczyk's TKO win over at the event launched her as a dominant force in the UFC women's strawweight division, capturing the title in March 2015. She defended the championship five times from June 2015 to May 2017—against , Valerie Letourneau, Claudia Gadelha, , and —before losing it to in November 2017, amassing a record of 5-0 in title bouts during her reign. Jędrzejczyk's era, characterized by her 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. Among other fighters, Johny Hendricks's unanimous decision victory over Matt Brown halted a two-fight skid but ultimately contributed to ongoing challenges that plagued his later career. Alistair Overeem's over Roy Nelson extended his heavyweight resurgence, marking his third win in four UFC outings and paving the way for a title shot against in 2016. Henry Cejudo's victory over provided early momentum in the flyweight division, propelling him toward future successes including the flyweight title in 2018 and the crown in 2019. 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. 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. UFC 185 holds historical significance as the first event since 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 in contributed to the UFC's expansion in markets, leading to subsequent events like in later that year and a sustained presence in the state.

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