CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE UFC KIND
Alex Gustafsson-Jon Jones
San Francisco, CA– Jon Jones was thought to be untouchable, at least when he came to Saturday challenger Alex Gustafsson (15-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), a Swede who was virtually unknown outside of the UFC & MMA world. All week ong people were asking, “Who’s Jones fighting, Alex who?” Well, the Swede came to fight and in the process took light heavyweight champion (205 lb.) Jones to the edge of the cliff of defeat. The champion was battered, bleeding profusely from a cut over his right eye, Gustafsson may have have even won the first three rounds. That’s when things got real interesting.
ROUND FOUR BEGAN WITH DESPERATE JONES LOOK
Entering the 4th, Jon Jones knew he needed to pull a “game changer” out of the bag and did just that with a spinning back fist, his patented elbow work had Alex rock ‘n rolling. The scoring in that round went 10-8 for the champion. Down a point on my card, Jones comes out and took the 5th and final five-minute round. That being said, I had it even a draw at 47-47. The official tallies read 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 all for Jones.
SWEDE STIFLED THE JONES MYSTIQUE FOR WHILE
Although you’re not supposed to get credit for defense, the 8 to 10-1 underdog Gustafsson, stuffed 10 out of 11 of Jones’ attempts to take him down. Jones himself was taken off his feet for the 1st time in his UFC career. That being said, had the judges given Alex the first 3 rounds, Jones’ monumental rally and close was enough to keep this title. Still, walking back to his dressing room, Jones, it was Jon that had the look of a pretty beaten up man while the Swede was just plain old tired.
JONES GETS WISH & SWEDE HUMBLED
After clamoring to be tested, it was Jones admitting this was his toughest fight ever, the 26-year old champion gave praise to the Swede, who humble as he could be said that, “Fighting Jon Jones was an honor.” Pretty darn good fight and it again proved that in the world of MMA and the top brand, the UFC, anybody can lose in the cage. Jones is 18-1 (10-1 UFC).
BANTAMWEIGHT (135) CHAMP BARAO REMAINS “BEAST”
Champ Renan Barao TKO 2 Eddie Wineland via TKO with a spinning back kick and punches. Time was 0:35. Eddie talked a “good game” going in, but Barao (31-1) is one of the best regardless of weight class, proved it by stopping the vocal challenger in round 2. Barao is the “interim” champ, while Dominick Cruz, the recognized champ has ACL surgery twice after the first from a cadaver, was rejected by his body, thus Cruz hasn’t fought in almost 2 years. Barao beats Cruz sans the injuries.
SCHAUB WINS “LOSER LEAVES TOWN” MATCH
Brendan Schaub Sub 1 Matt Mitrione (Choke) Time: 4:06. “Loser Leaves Town (UFC) match? If so, Schaub gets a breath of life after tough run of late.
OTHER RESULTS
Francis Carmont UD 3 Constantinos Philippou. Carmont shines in shutout performance over once thought to be “hotshot” Philippou. Scores read 30-27, 30-27, 30-26.
Khabib Nurmagomedov UD 3 Pat Healy (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Myles Jury Split Decision 3 Mike Ricci. Cards read 29-28, 2928 Jury, 29-28 Ricci.
Wilson Reis UD 3 Ivan Menjivar (29-28 across the board)
Stephen Thompson KO 2 Chris Clements (punches) Time: 1:27
Mitch Gagnon Sub 1 Dustin Kimura (guillotine choke) Time was 4:05
John Makdessi KO 1 Renee Forte via KO (punches) Time read 2:01
Michel Prazeres SD 3 Jesse Ronson. Scores were 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.
Alex Caceres SD 3 Roland Delorme. Scores were 29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Daniel Omielanczuk KO 3 Nandor Guelmino (punches) Time was 3:18.
“Ring Talk News Service