Jones KOs Gustafsson in third round to regain lightheavyweight title

The main event of UFC 232 featured a fight between former champion Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson for the vacant lightheavyweight title fight. The fight was a rematch of their 2013 fight which Jones won by split decision.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It took a last-minute change of venue, and a debatable response to a drug-test result to get there, but Jon Jones is once again UFC light heavyweight champion.

Jones, coming off the second USADA suspension of his career, absolutely manhandled Alexander Gustafsson in the main event of UFC 232 on Saturday night at The Forum.

The rematch of one of the greatest fights in UFC history wasn’t nearly as competitive as their first encounter, as Jones was rarely challenged before turning things on in the third round and finishing the job. The time of the TKO finish was 2:02.

God, this is great, Jones said. This is a great feeling.

source: mmafighting.com

Official Result: Jon Jones defeated Alexander Gustafsson by KO (Strikes, Round 3, 2:02)

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1079249408682688512

Play-By-Play

Round 1 – Gustafsson walks forward, and Jones rises from a kneeling position to start. They clinch briefly, but nothing there. Gustafsson light on his feet and fires a high kick. Blocked. Jones drives forward for a takedown. Not there. He lands low, and we have a brief timeout. Quick restart, and Gustafsson lands to the legs. Left hands traded. Jones kicks low. They trade low kicks. Punches traded, as well. Neither man really landing clean just yet. Jones with a nice kick to the body. Gustafsson trying to pressure, but his volume is rather average right now. Jones again looks takedown, but it’s not there. Jones high kick blocked. He kicks the legs and shoots inside but can’t quite get the takedown. Closest he’s come yet. Gustafsson leaps forward and lands a right. A second one misses. Both men relaxed in the final minute. Jones with a kick to the body, and they end on the feet. MMAjunkie gives the round to Jones, 10-9.

Round 2 – Jones front kick blocked. Superman punch lands. Jones picking up the pace a bit. Gustafsson swinging back but misses the counter. Jones whiffs on a big left hand. Gustafsson trying to pressure. Jones shoots forward, but Gustafsson stuffs it and briefly controls the neck before letting go. Gustafsson picking up the pace a bit. Jones with a nice kick to the body. Gustafsson accidentally pokes the eye after a Jones straight, and we have a timeout. Doctor comes in to take a look, but we carry on. Gustafsson looking to press on the restart. He does land a nice right hand. Gustafsson misses a spinning elbow. He’ moving forward, but Jones doing a great job of staying just out of reach. Gustafsson misses a jab. Jones with a low kick that wobbles his for briefly. Another low kick lands clean. Jones kicks high, then low. Elbow comes in. Two long punches from Jones. Jones mixing up his strikes well. He briefly grabs the neck but lets it go. Spinning kick from Jones to close. MMAjunkie gives Jones the round, 10-9.

Round 3 – Jones with a nice left hook to start. Gustafsson is walking forward, but he just can’t seem to find the mark. The Jones left lands again. Jones changes levels and runs through for the takedown. Jones immediately looking for elbows. He drives the left forearm in to push Gustafsson away. Gustafsson turns to his side and wants to rise. Jones presses him back down and advances to side control. Elbows come forward. Gustafsson turns and Jones takes the back. He thinks submission but sees the opportunity to strike. First it’s elbows, then powerful punches land clean. Gustafsson is trapped. Jones keeps pounding away, and this fight is over.

source: mmajunkie.com

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