Talented Jones, Beset by Drug Suspensions and License Issues, Retains Title at UFC 235
By CASSANDRA COUSINEAU
LVSportsBiz.com
UFC star Jon Jones’ long-awaited return to the Octagon in Las Vegas ended with a unanimous decision over challenger Anthony Smith at UFC 235 at T-Mobile Arena Saturday night, as the light heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound superstar won 48-44 on all three scorecards.
The UFC 235 show drew an attendance of 14,790 with a gate of $4.035 million — less than the numbers at UFC 229 Khabib-McGregor event that had attendance of 20,034 and a gate of $17.7 million.
Just a little more than two months ago, the enigmatic Jones defeated Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232 at the Forum in Los Angeles Dec. 29 after the UFC fight show was moved from Las Vegas to LA because the Nevada Athletic Commission would not grant a license to Jones to fight at the show originally scheduled for T-Mobile Arena. So UFC President Dana White moved the fight event with a less than a week’s notice to California where Jones was allowed to fight and ultimately defeat Gustafsson to win his title back.
The athletic and gifted 205-pound Jones was just too much for Smith, who dropped to 31-14.
Here’s the Jones post-fight comments.
We also heard from UFC’s ringmaster, White. The face of UFC hinted that the fight show promoter based in Las Vegas will be expanding more around the world in places such as China with training facilities. Stay tuned for an announcement.
There’s also been a changing of the guard atop the UFC welterweight division. Kamaru Usman dominated welterweight champion Tyron Woodley 50-44, 50-44, and 50-45.
It’s been a long journey to the top of the division. While his father traveled to the U.S. to pursue a pharmacy degree, Usman grew up with his mother and two brothers in Benin City, Nigeria. Eventually, Usman and the rest of his family would be reunited in Texas for high school and he would eventually attend Nebraska where he became an all American wrestler.
Usman was an underdog to dethrone Woodley. Once he did, he was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment. The new champion expressed an outpouring of love for his daughter.
And UFC 235 will also be remembered for light heavyweight phenom Johnny Walker, finished his fight in under 30 seconds with a spectacular flying knee to the chin of Misha Cirkunov.
But here’s the weird part — Walker then dislocated his shoulder while celebrating with a breakdancing move. The 27-year-old Brazilian is charismatic and six-foot, five inches and has a ton of talent.
But that talent does not include being a dancer. Walker is seeking sponsorships and he’s likely to get a few offers.
Here’s a video of our analysis leading up to the fight tonight.
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