In what may end up going down as the fight of the year in 2013, Jon Jones retained the UFC light heavyweight title with a close unanimous decision victory over Alexander Gustafsson.
Gustafsson came out in the early rounds and showed that he was ready to give Jones a dog fight and scored early with his boxing. Jones struggled to get Gustafsson down to the ground in all of the rounds as Jones was only successful in one takedown in ten attempts throughout the fight.
During the first round, Gustafsson was able to open up a cut over the left eye of Jones and this became a factor throughout the fight as Gustafsson continued to throw his left jab and open up the cut more.
The best rounds for Jones came in the championships rounds as he landed a flurry of punches at the conclusion of the fourth round that had Gustafsson on his heels and in survival mode. He would be able to make it to the fifth round but it appeared that his gas tank was running low.
In the final round, Gustafsson had his hands on his hips at one point in the round and his punches did not have the same speed as they did in the earlier rounds. Jones was able to get his one takedown in the final round and the judges would decide the winner with all three judges scored the fight for Jones with the scores being 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.
With the victory, Jones breaks the UFC record for most consecutive light heavyweight title defense but an immediate rematch with Gustafsson could be up for him next.
UFC 165 Results:
Jon Jones def. Alexander Gustafsson via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Renan Barao def. Eddie Wineland via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, :35
Brendan Schaub def. Matt Mitrione via submission (d’arce choke) – Round 1, 4:06
Francis Carmont def. Costa Philippou via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Pat Healy via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Myles Jury def. Mike Ricci via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Wilson Reis def. Ivan Menjivar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Stephen Thompson def. Chris Clements via KO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:27
Mitch Gagnon def. Dustin Kimura via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:05
John Makdessi def. Renee Forte via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:01
Michel Prazeres def. Jesse Ronson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Alex Caceres def. Roland Delorme via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Daniel Omielanczuk def. Nandor Guelmino via KO (strikes) – Round 3, 3:18