27:35
Jon Jones escapes with his title at UFC 235 despite illegal shot
Controversial light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has overcome a nervous moment to defeat Anthony Smith and defend his title at UFC 235 in Las Vegas.
After a quiet opening which saw both fighters attempt to settle in and get their bearings, Jones took the ascendancy in the third round after he brought Smith to ground.
While Smith made it through to the horn comfortably, when the fourth round began the tale was much the same with Jones once again in control.
However things took a turn when Jones collected Smith with an illegal knee to the face while he still had a hand on the ground.
Though commentators felt the incident could have been enough to warrant a disqualification, Smith told referee Herb Dean he was willing to continue. Jones was consequently penalised two points.
Despite the selfless act which drew praise from commentators such as Joe Rogan, Smith couldn’t turn the fight around with the damage already being done, as Jones cruised to a unanimous decision victory.
Speaking afterwards, the defeated Smith explained his decision.
“I said it from the beginning, I wanted to win the title,” he said.
“I know as well as anyone I could have sat there and taken the DQ win, but I want to win it I don’t want to steal it.”
The fight was Jones’ second since his return from a backdated 15-month anti-doping suspension.
Similar to his previous bout with Alexander Gustafsson, Jones faced scrutiny prior to the fight after drug tests again showed trace amounts of the banned substance Turinabol.
However he was allowed to compete given the results were reportedly so minor that medical experts determined he would gain no unfair advantage.
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