Jon Jones continues to make things look easy. The light heavyweight champion successfully defended his title at UFC 235 against challenger Anthony Smith with all three judges scoring the fight 48-44.
The results would've been even more lopsided, but Jones was docked two points for an illegal knee in the fourth round. Jones, who was in complete control of the fight at that point, had landed a knee to the side of Smith's head while he was considered a downed opponent.
It was a worrying moment for Jones as it could have cost him the title. Had Smith been ruled unfit to continue the fight and the knee categorized as intentional, Jones could've lost via disqualification. That turned out not to be the case and the match continued. "I want to win [the title]," Smith said after the fight. "I don't want to steal it."
Jones' only loss in his career was due to an illegal strike in 2009 against Matt Hamill.
Save for a few kicks, the illegal knee was probably the only real highlight moment of the fight. Jones reportedly outstruck Smith 238-45, including 125-36 in significant strikes, but none of them seemed to do any serious damage to Smith.
Jones was technical in his approach, as per usual, but seemed content taking the fight to the judges' scorecards rather than going for the finish. Similarly, Smith was also cautious in his approach to Jones, and at no point seemed a very serious threat to dethroning the champ. He did manage to cut Jon Jones above the eye, though.
Following the fight, Jon Jones had nothing but respect for Anthony Smith, referring to him as "the Terminator." He made no mention of a potential next opponent, choosing instead to enjoy the current moment.
Who would you like to see Jon Jones fight next?