UFC 235: Jon Jones wears down Anthony Smith to retain light heavyweight title

Jon Jones (24-1-0) used superior striking and grappling  – despite being docked two points in the fourth round – to take a convincing unanimous decision win over Anthony Smith (31-14-0) in the main event of UFC 235.

Smith, a big underdog coming into the fight, remained cool and calm as he has been in the pre-amble, trying to counter Jones while not using any excessive energy. Jones was also cautious, picking his shots carefully in the first two rounds, but dictating the bout nonetheless.

Violent takedown from @JonnyBones! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/UGE28GYsGB

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

In the second and third frames, Jones started picking up the pace and increased the volume and mixing in takedowns, slowly taking the starch out of Smith with each strike. Things briefly became interesting in the fourth round when Jones was docked two points by referee Herb Dean for striking a downed opponent.

Smith could have allowed the kick to land and take a disqualification victory, but in the post-fight interview, said that he that while he was aware of the opportunity, he “wanted to win the title, not steal it.”

Jones continued to chip away in the fifth, while Smith remained in defensive survival mode, trying to stay the distance.

The judges all scored it 48-44, 48-44, 48-44.

💰 B O N U S 💰

POTN: @DiegoSanchezUFC & @JohnnyWalkerMMA

FOTN: Garbrandt vs @PedroMunhozMMA@P3Protein pic.twitter.com/oEM4YfBmre

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

Diego Sanchez, Johnny Walker earned performances of the night, while Cody Garbrandt and Pedro Munhoz earned Fight of the Night honours. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.

Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS 

POLYANA VIANA VS. HANNAH CIFERS 

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1101995299772391425

WINNER: HANNAH CIFERS VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: POLYANA VIANA VIA SUBMISSION

Andrews: Cifers looked so stiff and nervous at the weigh-ins, but comes in and gets the win. Well done.

GINA MAZANY VS. MACY CHIASSON 

Who Dat?!

⚜️ @Macy_Chiasson puts Mazany away in round 1! Wow! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/6Z3w7300XJ

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: MACY CHIASSON VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 1:49

ANDREWS PREDICTION: MACY CHIASSON VIA SUBMISSION

Andrews: Chiasson went in and caught her on the angle. Tough luck for Gina.

EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VS. CHARLES BYRD 

It only took SECONDS!!@EdmenShahbazyan knocks out Byrd in round 1 with some NASTY elbows! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/MBiPStvlWp

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VIA TKO(ELBOWS AND PUNCHES) R1 0:36

ANDREWS PREDICTION: EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VIA TKO

Andrews: As expected, Edmen got right down to business.

TSN 5 PRELIMS 

DIEGO SANCHEZ VS. MICKEY GALL 

VINTAGE NIGHTMARE!

Dominant victory leads to the finish for @DiegoSanchezUFC! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/a7IaiDDOAZ

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: DIEGO SANCHEZ VIA TKO R2 4:13

ANDREWS PREDICTION: DIEGO SANCHEZ VIA UD

Andrews: Wow! A vintage “Nightmare” performance.

#12 CODY STAMANN VS. #13 ALEJANDRO PEREZ 

Going 🆙

@TurpoPerezUFC #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/swS8dJVv52

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: CODY STAMANN VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEJANDRO PEREZ VIA UD

Andrews: Perez had the nice-looking slam, but Stamann was the one who grinned it out. Close fight, good win.

#14 MISHA CIRKUNOV VS. #15 JOHNNY WALKER

ARE YOU KIDDING ME JOHNNY WALKER?!@JohnnyWalkerMMA #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/PkrgEuerKZ

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: JOHNNY WALKER VIA TKO (FLYING KNEE AND PUNCHES) R1 0:36

ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOHNNY WALKER VIA TKO

Andrews: Wow! Another highlight reel finish! Cut the chatter and give this guy a performance bonus.

#6 JEREMY STEPHENS VS. #13 ZABIT MAGOMEDSHARIPOV 

WILD finish to this one! What. A. Fight!#UFC235 pic.twitter.com/tdsALDJjCD

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: ZABIT MAGOMEDSHARIPOV VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: ZABIT MAGOMEDSHARIPOV VIA UD

Andrews: Nice charge from Stephens late, but too much Zabit from the beginning.

MAIN CARD 

#2 CODY GARBRANDT VS. #9 PEDRO MUNHOZ 

The beginning of the end ..

What a performance for @PedroMunhozMMA! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/niD45H0yTm

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: PEDRO MUNHOZ VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 4:52

ANDREWS PREDICTION: CODY GARBRANDT VIA TKO

Andrews: Wow! What a right hand by Munhoz and he caught him almost like T.J. did. How much more can Cody take?

#7 TECIA TORRES VS. #15 WEILI ZHANG 

Close fight!

How do you have it through 2 rounds? #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/Lb5ugMlqdD

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: WEILI ZHANG VIA UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: TECIA TORRES VIA UD

Andrews: Zhang beat Torres at her own game. She is for real.

#6 ROBBIE LAWLER VS. BEN ASKREN

Either way, @BenAskren remains undefeated. Funky improves to 19-0 at #UFC235! pic.twitter.com/zG7jBuqkyp

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: BEN ASKREN VIA SUBMISSION (BULLDOGE CHOKE) R1 3:20

ANDREWS PREDICTION: BEN ASKREN VIA UD

Andrews: Wow! Lawler started fast but those are the breaks. Askren got the choke in and it looks like he’s for real.

TYRON WOODLEY VS. #2 KAMARU USMAN

Hellbows in round 2@Usman84Kg #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/ZUK0w2N5cK

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: KAMARU USMAN VIA UD (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: TYRON WOODLEY VIA UD

Andrews: Wow! Like Rogan said, just total domination. Those elbows in the clinch were the icing on the cake. The new generation is here.

MAIN EVENT

JON JONES VS. ANTHONY SMITH 

Violent takedown from @JonnyBones! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/UGE28GYsGB

— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019

WINNER: JON JONES VIA UD (48-44, 48-44, 48-44)

ANDREWS PREDICTION: JON JONES VIA UD

Andrews: As expected, Smith had nothing offensively to challenge Jones with. Good win by Bones.

@kenaiandrews