UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones retains his title by snatching a split decision win against title contender Thiago Santos in the main event of UFC 239, July 6.
Santos’ speed and power proved troublesome for the champion as Jones found difficulty engaging with the Brazilian “sledgehammer.” Ultimately, all three judges scored the bout 48-47, with two in favor of Jones and one with Santos.
The split decision win marked the first time Jones has ever lost in a scorecard. Santos set the pace early with some hard leg kicks, but seemed to have hurt his knee in the second round. At various times during the fight, Santos limped and staggered on his foot due to the injury. This, however, did not stop the challenger on firing heavy bombs—and at some point even seemed to be the more dangerous fighter.
Jones, for his part, was too calculated with his offense—almost to a fault as some felt that he lacked the urgency to finish the fight. Using his reach advantage, the champion cruised to the final bell by maintaining a safe distance and outlanding his opponent.
In the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Jones admitted that he played the game safe by refusing to go toe to toe with Santos. “I am so sorry, I know a lot of you guys are booing me right now. We all know that [Santos] best chance of winning this fight is by knockout. I played this smart,” said Jones.
The champion also commended the heart of grit of his fellow competitor. “Oh my goodness. Boy, was he tough.”
Santos will be sidelined for up to a year as post-fight exams revealed the Brazilian has torn all of his left knee’s ligament while partial tears were seen in his right knee. Still, he is optimistic of another shot at Jones once he recovers from the injury.
“A rematch would be a dream, for sure,” Santos said. “I want to heal from my knee injuries and then I want to fight him at 100%. It will be a different fight, for sure.”
Nunes demolishes Holm
In the co-main event, UFC Women’s Bantamweight and Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes stops former champion Holly Holm in the first round to successfully defend her 135 strap.
Holm was hoping to gain advantage with her footwork, but a quick head kick—eerily similar to what she did to Ronda Rousey back in 206—sent the former champion to the ground. Nunes then swarmed Holm with a few hard shots, leaving the referee no choice but to stop the fight.
This win solidifies “The Lioness” claim as the greatest female UFC fighter ever as she had defeated every other fighter to hold the women’s bantamweight title. She now also holds the record for the most wins (10), stoppages (8), and first-round finishes (7), in the women’s 135-pound division.
Masvidal blasts Askren in 5 seconds
Welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal secured his own place in the record books by knocking out former Bellator and One Championship welterweight champion in just 5 seconds.
As soon as the fight starts, Masvidal launched a flying knee towards Askren who instinctively ducks to shoot for a takedown. Masvidal’s knee lands clean on Akren’s temple, stiffening the formerly undefeated fighter.
As expected, it sent the whole MMA world on fire.
By scoring the fastest KO in UFC history—against one of the best welterweights, Mavidal boosts his claim for a title shot against Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.
Blachowicz spoils Rockhold LHW debut
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold looks to revive his career by moving up to a higher division. In charge of welcoming the former champ into the 185-pound division, Jan Blachowicz refused to be a stepping stone—knocking Rockhold out cold in the second round.
Rockhold started the first round aggressive with striking and then tried for a long time to get Blachowicz down against the cage. By the end of the first round, Blachowicz seemed like the fresher fighter.
The clinch is what hurt Rockhold again in the second. Rockhold once again went for a takedown, but to no avail. Blachowicz caught an opening coming out of the tight space, unleashing a vicious right-left combination to send the former champ down the canvas.
This marks the second-straight loss for Rockhold, who has lost by KO/TKO in three of his last four fights. Meanwhile, Blachowicz has won five of his last six fights, losing only in that stretch to title contender Thiago Santos.
UFC 239 Full Card Results
Main Card
- Jon Jones def. Thiago Santos by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
- Amanda Nunes def. Holly Holm by KO, 4:10, Round 1
- Jorge Masvidal def. Ben Askren by KO, 0:05, Round 1
- Jan Blachowicz def. Luke Rockhold by KO, 1:39, Round 2
- Michael Chiesa def. Diego Sanchez by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Preliminary Card
- Arnold Allen def. Gilbert Melendez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Marlon Vera def. Nohelin Hernandez by submission (rear-naked choke), 3:25, Round 2
- Claudia Gadelha def. Randa Markos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Song Yadong def. Alejandro Perez by KO, 2:04, Round 1
- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Jack Marshman by submission (rear-naked choke), 1:12, Round 1
- Chance Rencountre def. Ismail Naurdiev by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
- Julia Avila def. Pannie Kianzad by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
In the Red Corner 