Highlights: Jones dominates Saint Preux, wins interim title

The main event of UFC 197 featured an interim lightheavyweight title bout between former champion Jon Jones and contender Ovince Saint Preux.

Chris Palmquist

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The main event of UFC 197 featured an interim lightheavyweight title bout between former champion Jon Jones and contender Ovince Saint Preux.

Ovince Saint Preux (19-8) was supposed to just be a warm body simply there to allow the former longtime light heavyweight champion to showcase his skills. Jones was supposed to make quick work of OSP in the main event of UFC 197 and pivot to a title rematch with Daniel Cormier.

Instead, what the fans saw was a fighter every bit as rusty as you’d usually expect from someone who had not fought in 16 months. Jones claimed the interim light heavyweight title via unanimous decision, winning on scores of 50-44 and a pair of 50-45s.

source: mmafighting.com

Official Result: Jon Jones defeated Ovince Saint Preux by Unanimous Decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)

Play-By-Play

Round 1: Jones crawls out to the center. Saint Preux taps him with a low kick once he rises. Jones with a spinning kick to the body. He spins again but pulls it back. Saint Preux very patient to start then misses on a high kick. Kicks traded from both men. Very hesitant start. Jones just misses a front kick to the face. Jones kicks the leg. Big side kick to the body. Jones reaching out his hand, and Saint Preux slaps it down. Jones with another spinning kick. Saint Preux tries to grab the head but can’t hold him. Jones just short on another front kick. Jones holding the center. Crowd wants some more action, but Jones remains patient. Saint Preux kicks the body. Jones does the same. Jones switching stances and again kicks the body. Jones gets close, but Saint Preux pushes him away. Jones picks up the pace and again spins a kick to the body. Saint Preux works in a jab. They battle in the clinch in the closing seconds. It ends there, and MMAjunkie gives the first to Jones, 10-9.

Round 2 – Jones grabs hold of a low kick and wants the takedown. Saint Preux hops on one leg and punches away before pulling free. Still very patient work from Jones. Crowd starting to cheer for x abit. Saint Preux seems content to make sure he doesn’t get in trouble right now. He scores a jab. Jones digs to the body and moves into the clinch. Nothin there, and they break. High kick for Jones, and he moves into the clinch. Now he starts to open up. Elbows from a few angles scores, but Saint Preux moves off the fence. Saint Preux scores up top, and it catches Jones’ attention. Saint Preux tries to reach and follow, but it’s not there. Jones settles back down and looks to kick the legs a bit. Jones switching stances as he stalks from the center. Spinning kick again. Saint Preux takes it and comes back with a right hand. Saint Preux scores with a left. He’s having a little success. Saint Preux shuffles his feet a bit. Jones with a wild spinning kick to close. MMAjunkie gives it to Jones, 10-9.

Round 3 – Jones continues with the low kicks to the thigh and knee. Saint Preux fires jab that misses. Saint Preux seems to be gaining some confidence. He’s not causing much damage, but he’s not taking much either. Jones just misses a spinning elbow. Jones digs to the body and then throws an elbow up top. Jones kicks the legs. Saint Preux rattles out a big left, but it doesn’t land. Crowd really getting restless. Jones with a few more kicks to the leg, but he’s staying patient. Saint Preux blocks a high kick. Saint Preux rattles out three punches. Jones kicks to the body and a few more to the legs. Saint Preux sneaks in a right hand and misses the left. Jones kicks to the body again. Round ends on the feet, and MMAjunkie gives it to Jones, 10-9.

Round 4 – If Saint Preux can let it go, it’s time. Jones’ timing just doesn’t seem right. Sure, he’s cruising, but it’s not the dangerous world-beater we’re used to seeing. Saint Preux now has his hands down. He seems completely comfortable. They move into the clinch. Jones wraps the body and elevates Saint Preux before slamming him to the floor. Still, Saint Preux gets immediately back up. Jones slowly moving forward. He scores with a left. He tries to push, but Saint Preux scampers away. Jones gives chase and gets inside again, bringing Saint Preux to the floor. Side control for Jones. Elbows coming from the top. Saint Preux against the cage. He puts his feet on the fence. Jones heavy on tp. Saint Preux does roll to make some space, but Jones puts him again on his back. Saint Preux rolls to his knees. Jones gets to his back. Saint Preux defends the choke, so Jones stands and looks to punish with strikes. Punches, elbows, kick to the body. Strong finish, and MMAjunkie gives it again to Jones, 10-9.

Round 5 – Jones in complete control. Saint Preux is going to need a miracle. Jones not rushing in. Saint Preux not exactly going for broke, either. Left hand scores for Jones. More spinning kicks from Jones. Jones ducks down and delivers a big left hand. Crowd getting restless again. Jones still moving forward, and he delivers a stinging uppercut. Another follows. Great punches. He moves into the clinch. Jones picks Saint Preux up, carries him to the center and slams him to the floor. He stands up and soccer kicks the body. Saint Preux crawls back up. Jones just misses a big high kick. They work in the clinch against the cage. Jones backs away and looks to strike. Saint Preux keeping him close. Less than 30 seconds. Saint Preux opening up a little bit, but not much. MMAjunkie gives the final round to Jones, 10-9, and awards him the fight 50-45.

source: mmajunkie.com

About Jon Jones

Part-Time Job Jones was a college wrestler and criminal justice student at Iowa Central when his girlfriend Jessie’s surprise pregnancy left him in need of quick cash. He visited an MMA gym and took his first fight within months – then five more in the next 3 months, winning them all. Jones and that girlfriend are now engaged with three daughters.

Quick Rise Jones entered the UFC in August 2008 on a few weeks’ notice, won, and was rewarded with bouts against future Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar and a UFC 100 spot against Jake O’Brien. Near effortless wins over veterans Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko followed before he dominated previously-unbeaten Ryan Bader at UFC 126. Jones’ only loss came at when a poor referee call resulted in a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill, in a fight he was by all accounts winning soundly.

Title Shot After his UFC 126 win, while still inside the Octagon, Jones was offered the chance to step in for injured teammate Rashad Evans to face light heavyweight champ Shogun Rua on six weeks’ notice. Jones accepted and went on to dominate Rua as well as his subsequent opponents: Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort.

source/more: ufc.com

About Ovince Saint Preux

TRAINING: The day starts at 8 am and ends at 10 pm. Three days a week I go to boxing. Six days a week I do Strength & Conditioning. Five days a week I do game plan work, BJJ & MMA training. Add in some media responsibilities and you’ve got my typical camp.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I wanted to find something to challenge me after college football. I started training for fun, and after my first fight I fell in love with the sport.

What ranks and titles have you held? Blue belt in BJJ (Rafaello Oliveira), black band in KMAA’s homemade MMA style.

Do you have any heroes? My mother and father.

source/more: ufc.com

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