Jon Jones outclasses Anthony Smith with methodical 5-round dissection
Jon Jones has tamed the lion.
Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion, dissected Anthony "Lionheart" Smith to retain his belt via unanimous decision. Jones earned his second victory in nine weeks.
Jones, a heavy favorite entering the fight, poured on the offense as Smith mounted little in the form of defense and even less in attack. "Bones" landed 238 total strikes to 45 from Smith and was successful on three of his eight takedown attempts.
Jones was on the way to an easy victory when he landed an illegal knee to Smith's head near the end of the fourth round.
Jon Jones deducted 2 points for an illegal knee to the head of Smith #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/A1PQsyluuA
— Nino (@Nino_416) March 3, 2019
Referee Herb Dean ultimately deducted two points. However, presented with a choice to continue the fight or win via disqualification, Smith elected to keep fighting.
"I want to win (the belt), I don't want to steal it, you know," Smith explained afterward.
Jones improves his career record to 23-1. Smith drops to 31-14 and sees his impressive three-fight win streak snapped.