Fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, Jon “Bones” Jones, 31, is still the reigning champion of the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He successfully defended his title from Anthony “Lionheart” Smith, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, USA at “UFC 235.”
Featuring 12 mixed martial arts matches, “UFC 235” took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, USA on March 2, 2019. In the main event of the evening, Smith challenged Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship belt.
Herb Dean served as the referee of the championship bout. After five five-minute rounds, the bout was left in the hands of the three judges, who unanimously scored in 48-44 in favor of the winner.
In the end, Dean raised the hand of Jones. The defending champion was declared the winner via unanimous decision.
Winning at “UFC 235” improved Jones’ professional MMA record to 24 wins and 1 loss. On the other hand, Smith now has 31 wins and 14 losses.
Born in Rochester, New York, USA on July 19, 1987, Jones was a wrestler at Union-Endicott High School in New York and football player before becoming an MMA fighter. As a professional MMA fighter, he made his debut in 2008.
Jones joined the UFC in 2008 and “UFC 235” marked his 20th bout in the promotion. His only loss in the promotion and in his professional MMA career was at “The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale” on December 5, 2009 when he was disqualified in his bout against Matt “The Hammer” Hamill, 42, of Loveland, Ohio, USA due to illegal downward elbows.
It was on March 19, 2011 when Jones was first crowned as the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. After eight successful title defenses, he was stripped of the title on April 28, 2018 due to his arrest in a felony hit-and-run.
On December 29, 2018, Jones redeemed the title by dethroning then reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson, 32, of Stockholm, Sweden at “UFC 232.” Meanwhile, watch the “UFC 235” post-fight press conference here:
CONAN Daily 