Jones dominant from start, easily keeps UFC title

Jon Jones defends his light heavyweight title via unanimous decision against Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC 235. (1:19)

LAS VEGAS — If there is such a thing as a casual UFC title defense, Jon Jones‘ victory against Anthony Smith was it.

Jones (24-1, 1 NC) defended his light heavyweight title in a tepid, five-round title fight on Saturday, outpointing Smith (31-14) on all three judges’ scorecards 48-44. The 205-pound title fight headlined UFC 235 inside T-Mobile Arena.

Kamaru Usman claimed the UFC welterweight title with a dominant showing against three-time defending champion Tyron Woodley in Saturday’s co-feature. He’s set to fight Colby Covington next.

Before UFC 235’s main event between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith, a multitude of undercard fights have major implications. Here’s how it all is going down.

The only reason it wasn’t a complete 50-44 shutout for Jones was due to an illegal knee in the fourth round. Referee Herb Dean docked Jones two points for the knee, which Jones landed to the side of Smith’s head while he was considered a downed opponent.

Jones, 31, cruised to the lopsided decision rather effortlessly. At the same time, he never appeared close to finishing Smith, and there were times when it seemed Smith was content to survive rather than take risks in search of an upset.

Jones outstruck Smith 238-45, including 125-36 in significant strikes.

“This MMA thing is really hard,” Jones said. “Some days you’ll look amazing. Some days at work, you won’t perform to the level you hold yourself to.

“With that being said, hats off to Anthony Smith. His reputation is known to be so durable, and now I know why his name is ‘Lionheart.’ I’ve never had someone talk to me while I’m hitting them. This guy is so durable. He’s like the terminator.”

For Jones, the illegal knee in the fourth round could have been far more costly than two meaningless points. Had Smith been ruled unfit to continue and the knee characterized as intentional, Jones might have suffered a loss via disqualification. The only loss of Jones’ career, to Matt Hamill in 2009, was due to an illegal strike in 2009.

Smith, who lives in Omaha, Nebraska, and fights out of Denver, managed to recover and continue with the fight. He later said he would not have wanted to win the title via disqualification.

“I want to win [the title],” Smith said. “I don’t want to steal it.”

Although it wasn’t his most memorable performance, Jones, of Albuquerque, thoroughly outclassed Smith in every area. He landed several spinning back kicks early on and cut him with elbows in the fourth round.

Jones did not mention a potential next opponent. He has said he wants to fight four times in 2019. He has recorded nine total title defenses in his career, although this is his first since reclaiming the belt in December.

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