‘Rusty’ Jon Jones decisions Saint Preux at UFC 197

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones triumphantly returned to the Octagon after a 15-month layoff as he totally outclassed Ovince Saint Preux in the main event of UFC 197 on Saturday, April 23 (April 24 in Manila) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The 28-year-old native of Rochester, New York, pummeled Saint Preux with different variations of his unorthodox striking arsenal and was able to slump his opponent with takedowns throughout the 5-round bout to walk away with the unanimous decision. 

All 3 cageside judges scored the contest 50-45 in favor of Jones, who had no difficulties handling Saint Preux, who replaced an injured Daniel Cormier on 3 weeks notice.

However, Jones showed signs of ring rust as he shied away from his lethal assassin approach inside the UFC cage and appeared tentative in his first outing since January 2015 when he routed Cormier via unanimous decision.

In his post-fight interview, Jones admitted that his performance was not at his usual level.

“I was watching, imagining, anticipating techniques, knowing when techniques would have landed but just not going for it,” he said. “Physically, I felt amazing. Mentally, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m sucking. This isn’t good.'”

Jones, who was stripped of the light heavyweight title last year after a hit-and-run incident, found another gear in the championship rounds as he struck for a pair of takedowns in the fourth round before battering Saint Preux with his trademark elbows and then advancing to the mount position.

Jones attained another powerful takedown in the fifth and final frame, but he opted to ease his foot off the gas in the dying moments of the round and freewheeled to the finish line.

“I was watching tonight instead of reacting. I really needed that fight,” Jones stated. “I need to kill this Debbie Downer attitude. I just won a fight in the UFC. I have a lot to be grateful for.”

The 6-foot-4 American was never in danger of losing the fight, but he simply struggled to put his unmatched counterpart away.

Jones kept Saint Preux from taking a single step forward as he fired his signature oblique kicks and spinning back kicks.

When Saint Preux started to check his leg attacks, Jones went to the body with push kicks and peppered with stiff jabs to the head.

With his dominant victory over Saint Preux, Jones (22-1) extends his winning streak to 13 fights, which is second longest in UFC history behind Anderson Silva, who has 16.

The win also sets up the rematch with Cormier, who currently holds the organization’s light heavyweight strap and expressed his desires to face Jones at UFC 200 on July 9.

Jones was awarded with the interim light heavyweight title for his conquest of Saint Preux, but he refused to accept it.

“I don’t want that belt. I want the real belt,” Jones said.

On the other hand, Saint Preux downgrades his win-loss record to 19-8. It was later confirmed that he injured his arm in the fourth round.

In the co-headliner, UFC flyweight titleholder Demetrious Johnson (24-2-1) stopped Henry Cejudo (10-1) at 2:49 of the first round with knees to the body.

Johnson has won his last 10 professional fights. Eight of them were successful flyweight title defenses.  – Rappler.com