![Jon Jones of the United States Kicks Thiago Santos of Brazil during their UFC Light Heavyweight Title bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 06, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/mma/2019/07/07/TELEMMGLPICT000203044619_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqp_Pjc8uW_XQXDWljcqrLvP8N4DJQIqgmwHo0CYGhOkk.jpeg?imwidth=680)
UFC 239: Jon Jones overcomes injury and Thiago Santos to retain title in kickboxing match
![Jon Jones of the United States Kicks Thiago Santos of Brazil during their UFC Light Heavyweight Title bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 06, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/mma/2019/07/07/TELEMMGLPICT000203044619_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqp_Pjc8uW_XQXDWljcqrLvP8N4DJQIqgmwHo0CYGhOkk.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Jon Jones retains title in split points decision and Amanda Nunes eviscerates Holly Holm in opening round - two champions retain titles
Jon Jones, playing a cat-and-mouse fight with challenger Thiago Santos, retained his light heavyweight title belt here in Sin City, choosing to stay in a stand up battle in the Brazilian's backyard, not once choosing to use his wrestling. It was a gamble, but it paid off as the American eked his way to victory.
Santos, always dangerous, was looking to claim the title against the great fighter, always ready with a cocked counter left hook from the southpaw stance.
Jones was helped out of the arena by his team, limping, and supported on both shoulders.
But it was a dramatic night in the T-Mobile Arena here as the other Brazilian - Amanda Nunes - retained her women's bantamweight crown when the 31-year-old, laying claim to be the greatest women's fighter of all time, stopped former champion Holly Holm in the opening stanza.
What Nunes has learnt is to be patient, and the champ-champ - both 135lbs and 145lbs champion - showed it to perfection in one of the most dramatic nights in UFC history.
Of note, too, was Jorge Masvidal knocking Ben Askren out by flying knee just two seconds into their bout.
"Jones won it comfortably, in my view," said Dana White, the UFC President, "which defines him as The Greatest. Look at who he has beaten."
Amanda Nunes coach Conan Silveira gives me a face slapping for doubting her as the GOAT
Injures @JonnyBones limps out carried by team mates but still champ #ufc239 pic.twitter.com/pqpTgXUYbz
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) July 7, 2019
JON JONES CARRIED OUT BY HIS TEAM... CLEARLY INJURED
Injures @JonnyBones limps out carried by team mates but still champ #ufc239 pic.twitter.com/pqpTgXUYbz
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) July 7, 2019
Jones vs Santos: Rd 5
Body kick and flurry from Santos. Still looking for the left hook. Jones right high - and cautious - in exchanges. Santos owns first half of the round. Now Jones goes to work. Oblique kick. Santos fast handspeed has kept Jones careful, and kept Brazilian in the contest. This is a good round for the challenger. Done. They are booing. But like the old Coliseum in Rome, the stentorian audience wanted a finish
Santos 10-9
Jones vs Santos: Round 2 & 3
Santos dangerous Jones dives for cover. These are the dangerous moments for Jones, pressing the fight but playing Santos. Jones stalking, brilliant, Santos looking to counter, wins second and third. Jones put Santos down momentarily with a right kick in the second stanza.
In the third round, Santos bleeding from right side of his face, loses focus for a moment, seems mentally broken perhaps, and Jones hunting for a finish... spinning stuff
2:Jones 10-9
3:Jones 10-9
Jones v Santos: Round 1
Left kick gives Santos ton of confidence. Back to southpaw. Showing his wares, the Brazilian. Jones on the offensive, spinning back elbow. Misses. Jones southpaw. Oblique kicks. Santos attacks. Jones out of range. Left hook Santos knocked champion's mouthguard out. Watch the left hook... Santos dangerous. Spinning kick to the body - from Jones. Great fight. Real tension in the arena... spinning kick from Jones to end the round.
Santos 10-9 (that mouthguard KO)
Amanda Nunes is truly at the peak of her powers... feel privileged to get a fist bump on media row
I just got a fist bump from champ champ @Amanda_Leoa my God she is incredible ... so dangerous now she's patient... GOAT FOR ME ... #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/P1XBJ6K4Im
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) July 7, 2019
Title fight time... Holly Holm in first...very keyed up... then the Champ - Champ Amanda Nunes 'The Lioness'
The Lioness @Amanda_Leoa here we go... pic.twitter.com/U4CuU6Jg36
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) July 7, 2019
They bring the unexpected... like Jorge Masvidal
Jon Jones has arrived!!! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/dGHVzaKG5f
— Dana White (@danawhite) July 7, 2019
Champ's here... GOAT for me... but anyone can lose in this sport... anywhere... any time.
Jon Jones has arrived!!! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/dGHVzaKG5f
— Dana White (@danawhite) July 7, 2019
RUNNING KNEE KO !! Jorge Masvidal defeats Ben Askren just (mili) seconds into the fight. FASTEST KO IN UFC HISTORY !! 2 SECONDS
Unbelievable. This sport, as I said, is so unpredictable. As is Masvidal. Hooter sounds, runs at Askren, knees him. And it has taken a few minutes for him to regain his feet.
Boom - Rockhold heavily knocked out by Jan The Man ... huge left hook. As the winner predicted. Great intervention Herb Dean. Brutal. Out of an exchange, down, out and sideways...
“Every time I visualize the fight I see myself knocking him out in the second round with my left hand.” - @JanBlachowicz @MMAFighting https://t.co/2GSkYuqMVG
— Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) July 7, 2019
Jan Blachowicz vs. Luke Rockhold (light heavyweight)
Good start from Rockhold, the former UFC middleweight champion, alternating kicks and grappling, but Jan The Man from Poland is one tough dude, and will be dangerous for 15 minutes... (Bisping, remember, KO'd Rockhold with those left hand killers, to finally claim the crown ...)
Late in the first round ... after dominating, Rockhold very very hurt in an exchange . Therefore, 9-9.
Pleasure to witness UK fighter and former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping installed in the Hall of Fame last night here... "I came from nothing...to this..." he explained. Emotional night. Autobiography out soon, too, which will be pretty raw...
Best ever. The legit, real, genuine Ultimate Fighter. The fighting spirit of Great Britain. The Hall of Famer, my mate @bisping. (Book is out this month.) pic.twitter.com/oqlpfMlrkI
— Ant Evans (@AntEvansMMA) July 6, 2019
Here's a legend in the sport... and a UK pioneer... Marc Goddard
Brilliant UK referee and MMA pioneer @marcgoddard_uk just stopped by ... been one of the elite for years and puts heart and soul into the game ... (can fight a bit too by the way!) pic.twitter.com/vRU1Fujt2g
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) July 7, 2019
Dominant, dominant, dominated 30-26 unanimous decision for Chiesa over Sanchez. Scored it same.
30-26 x3 for @MikeMav22! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/VjxYvgYgz0
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
T-Mobile getting in on the act...
The main card has begun! Be sure to follow @UFC for minute-by-minute action. #ItsBoutTime #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/Ex9anUomSn
— T-Mobile Arena (@TMobileArena) July 7, 2019
Here's a little vision action from Sanchez vs Chiesa
Heavy grappling exchanges in round 1! #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/W5Ldp2dhQn
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
Up first... Diego Sanchez, a fan favourite and Michael Chiesa (whose late father went to public school in England by the way)
As predicted, Chiesa up early using his adept submission skills against Sanchez. But Sanchez is one of the most game fighters we have ever seen in MMA. His fight with Clay Guida ten years ago - 10 years ago ! - was inducted as special into the UFC Hall of Fame last night. Chiesa dominant in the opening round, twice sinking in an attempted rear naked choke finish, but Sanchez - once 'The Nightmare' now 'The Dream' - the consummate wriggler. Round 2, and we are straight back to the ground...
Here we go... the light fantastic at the T-Mobile Arena and the view from my seat Octagonside
Here we go ... the light fantastic for @ufc #ufc239 and the view from my seat for tonights main card live blog ... pic.twitter.com/f49DubhdGF
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) July 7, 2019
Good evening from Las Vegas... two title defences tonight from Jon Jones and Amanda Nunes
Good evening and welcome to the live blog from Las Vegas. It has been a fascinating UFC International Fight week culminating with Jon Jones defending his light heavyweight title against Thiago Santos and Amanda Nunes in an anticipated match-up looking to retain her bantamweight title against the former 135lbs women's champion Holly Holm. The first week in July, each year, has become a capstick for the Sin City based fight organisation. We have seen Hall of Fame inductions - the UK's Michael Bisping, MMA's greatest ever export, bar none was invested last night - and an array of champions and challengers paraded before fans and media yesterday.
I can't remember how many times I've covered fights here cageside and ringside over the last 22 years, in MMA and boxing, but it is approaching the century mark, and it is my pleasure to guide you through tonight's main card.
Coming up:
Jon Jones (champion) vs. Thiago Santos (light heavyweight)
Amanda Nunes (champion) vs. Holly Holm (women's bantamweight)
Jorge Masvidal vs. Ben Askren (welterweight)
Jan Blachowicz vs. Luke Rockhold (light heavyweight)
Diego Sanchez vs. Michael Chiesa (welterweight)
Here's my picks: Jones, TKO; Nunes TKO; Askren, decision; Rockhold, decision; Chiesa, submission. Nothing, though, ever really goes to the formbook in MMA, and over the next few hours, we shall see.
Send me your comments and thoughts to @GarethADaviesDT on Twitter and I'll do my best to get your views heard on here...
Enjoy.