UFC 235 results: Jon Jones wins lopsided decision over Anthony Smith to retain 205-pound title

UFC 235 is over with, and Jon Jones is still the light heavyweight champion. Jones successfully defended his 205-pound crown by out-classing the #3 ranked Anthony Smith for just about the entire fight. Jones was even deducted two-points in the fourth frame for an illegal knee to a downed Smith, but Jones ran so far away with the scorecards that it didn’t even matter. The 23-1-1 Jones continues to prove himself as as one of if not the greatest mixed-martial artists of all time. Let his official count of consecutive title defenses begin at one. For Smith, this setback snaps a ruthless three-fight winning stretch.

A lot of measuring took place early in the opening round. Jones was the one a little more willing to open up as Smith looked to stay defensive. A set of spinning back kicks to the body scored for Jones, to which Smith responded with a head kick of his own. A set of side kicks connected to the body for Jones before the round ended.

Jones pressed forward behind his kicks in the second stanza, including an up-kick that got a smile from Smith. A spinning elbow allowed Jones to close the distance and clinch up against the cage, but Smith was able to escape into open space. Several classic leg stomps were deployed by Jones as he continued to dictate the pace. Jones stifled his foe up against the fence to start the third round. Smith struggled to get his back off of the cage, which gave Jones the time he needed to realize a takedown. Jones forced Smith to carry his weight as time ticked away.

Jones got viscous with a series of elbows to begin the fourth round, before just throwing Smith to the floor. After a couple of menacing stomps, Jones took top position and began dropping strikes. Smith worked his way back to his feet just to get taken right back down. With ten seconds remaining in the round, Jones landed an illegal knee that brought a pause to the bout. The defending champion was deducted two-points for the foul, and the fight continued. Smith came out aggressive in the final round, throwing with bad intentions. The spring in the challenger’s step fizzled out after about a minute, and Jones went back to controlling Smith against the cage. Smith simply had nothing for Jon Jones.

Jon Jones def. Anthony Smith by unanimous decision (48-44 x3): Light Heavyweight Title