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.
