Jones Defends Title at UFC 159
28 Apr, 2013
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — With one awkward lunge, Jon Jones’ big toe about popped off his left foot.
Before he hobbled out of the octagon, Jones had one more spectacular title defense to finish, returning to the site of his championship win and staking his claim as perhaps the greatest UFC light heavyweight of all time.
Jones bloodied an overmatched Chael Sonnen with a series of strikes to the face in the first round to win by TKO and defend his light heavyweight championship for the fifth straight time on Saturday night at UFC 159.
Nicknamed “Bones,” Jones proved he was a champion down to the bone – the one that jabbed its way out of his toe with one misstep. Jones (18-1) suffered a compound fracture and needed a stool inside the cage to complete his post-fight interview.
He needed no time finishing off the trash-talking Sonnen (28-13-1).
After his third takedown of the round, Jones buried a knee to the body, then went to work on Sonnen’s face. Sonnen covered up as the ref stopped the fight at 4:33 of the first.
“I felt I came out here and was strong and courageous,” Jones said.
Jones said he was hurt late in the abbreviated round. Had the fight go on, Jones would have been unable to continue.
“They would have stopped it. In a second,” UFC president Dana White said.
With the win, Jones matched UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz’s light heavyweight mark of five straight successful title defenses. After beating Shogun Rua to win the belt, Jones went on to defeat Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort.
There was no immediate word how long Jones would be out. But if he returns and wins again, Jones would stand alone in the record book.
AP
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