TORONTO – Jon Jones had to work like never before to keep his light heavyweight title, but a strong finish led him to a unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 165 at the Air Canada Centre.
Jones won by scores of 48-47 twice and 49-46 in the toughest fight of his title reign. Yahoo Sports scored it 48-47 for Jones, giving Jones rounds 2, 4 and 5 and Gustafsson rounds 1 and 3.
Jones' title defense was his sixth, setting a division record for most successful title defenses at light heavyweight.
"Alexander was the best I've fought, by far," Jones said.
Gustafsson took the fight to Jones, using his boxing and, stunningly, his wrestling to get out to an early lead. He cut Jones over the right eye and by the fourth round, Jones was a mess, with blood streaming down his face and chest.
[Related: Slideshow: Best photos of UFC 165]
Like a champion, though, Jones rallied when it mattered most. In the fourth with the fight in the balance, Jones landed a move he had been trying a lot throughout the fight, connecting with a massive spinning elbow.
For the first time, Gustafsson seemed impacted by the blow and staggered back against the cage. Jones landed another and then flurried on Gustafsson, but he didn't have time to finish.
The fifth round went Jones' way, as he landed several kicks and finally got a takedown. Earlier in the fight, Gustafsson became the first man to take Jones down in the UFC.
Jones, who has dominated his fights in the past by taking opponents down and blasting them with razor-sharp elbows on the ground, had that taken away from him for the most part on Saturday. Gustafsson also neutralized Jones' clinch game.
But Jones' arsenal of strikes was so big, and he found a way to get the elbows and kicks in late in the fight that scored points and helped him retain his title.
Jones won by scores of 48-47 twice and 49-46 in the toughest fight of his title reign. Yahoo Sports scored it 48-47 for Jones, giving Jones rounds 2, 4 and 5 and Gustafsson rounds 1 and 3.
Jones' title defense was his sixth, setting a division record for most successful title defenses at light heavyweight.
"Alexander was the best I've fought, by far," Jones said.
Gustafsson took the fight to Jones, using his boxing and, stunningly, his wrestling to get out to an early lead. He cut Jones over the right eye and by the fourth round, Jones was a mess, with blood streaming down his face and chest.
[Related: Slideshow: Best photos of UFC 165]
Like a champion, though, Jones rallied when it mattered most. In the fourth with the fight in the balance, Jones landed a move he had been trying a lot throughout the fight, connecting with a massive spinning elbow.
For the first time, Gustafsson seemed impacted by the blow and staggered back against the cage. Jones landed another and then flurried on Gustafsson, but he didn't have time to finish.
The fifth round went Jones' way, as he landed several kicks and finally got a takedown. Earlier in the fight, Gustafsson became the first man to take Jones down in the UFC.
Jones, who has dominated his fights in the past by taking opponents down and blasting them with razor-sharp elbows on the ground, had that taken away from him for the most part on Saturday. Gustafsson also neutralized Jones' clinch game.
But Jones' arsenal of strikes was so big, and he found a way to get the elbows and kicks in late in the fight that scored points and helped him retain his title.
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