There Was Just a Difference in Class… Anthony Smith Demonstrated His Lionheart, But Jon Jones Showed Why He is the Greatest Light-Heavyweight Fighter of All Time…
Jon Jones put on a striking clinic to dissect Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC 235 in the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. Jones is one of the most talented – and probably most controversial – fighters in the world. He demonstrated his skill level again with a sublime performance to dominate a game Smith.
At the end of the fight, he said that it wasn’t his best performance, but it didn’t have to be. Jones’s reach and range of striking were the story of the night as Smith was unable to put together any meaningful offence in the final three rounds.
Credit has to be given to Smith who was able to make it to the end of the fight. He showed heart – and could have taken the easy way out after Jones threw an illegal knee in round 4. Watch the highlights of this fight below.
Congrats to Jon Jones, another dominant performance by one of the greatest of all time. #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/W3Rn9X92hR
— FiveFives (@fives_five) March 3, 2019
Dominant
This was an absolutely dominant display by Jones from start to finish against Smith. He was able to use his range to keep ‘Lionheart’ on the outside. Then he mixed up low kicks to his opponent’s legs and strikes to the body and head in devastating fashion. Although he only through single strikes throughout the fight, he was able to pick at Smith at will.
Smith proved to be durable but exerted his energy just by surviving. He was unable to bring any meaningful offence to Jones, although did give the champion a cut beside his eye. It’s back to the drawing board for the plucky contender, who had a remarkable rise in 2017 after moving up from middleweight.
In the end, technique and ability are sometimes just too much for bravery and spirit.
Spinning back kick lands early in round 1 by @JonnyBones #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/8I3oH5JaoT
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019
Recordbreaker
Jones just tied Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in the history of the UFC with 16 straight victories. He’s still only lost one fight in his career – and that was for an illegal elbow against Matt Hammill. He lived on the edge tonight though, with a rare 8-8 round in the fourth, after being deducted two points by Herb Dean.
A less honourable opponent than Smith could have refused to continue after he took a heavy illegal knee to the head in the fourth. Being unable to continue would have made him the light-heavyweight champion and earned him a win bonus. However, Smith demonstrated class and told Joe Rogan after the fight:
“I wanted to win it. I didn’t want to steal it.”
Violent takedown from @JonnyBones! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/UGE28GYsGB
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019
Jon Jones deducted 2 points for an illegal knee to the head of Smith #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/A1PQsyluuA
— Nino (@Nino23824) March 3, 2019
Upcoming
The big question is what is next for Jones? There really aren’t many exciting challengers left at light-heavyweight now. Could a move up to heavyweight be on the horizon for him next? If he wants to make bigger money and really enhance his legacy then that is surely what he has to do.
Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar are the two most likely next opponents if he does move up. Jones is back and it looks like he’s finally stabilized his career.
