However, Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (19-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) avoided Anderson Silva's recent fate and edged a resilient Alexander Gustafsson (15-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) via unanimous decision.
In the lead-up to Saturday's UFC 165 pay-per-view headliner at Toronto's Air Canada Center, UFC officials didn't know exactly how to promote Gustafsson as a viable contender. They focused on the Swede's height, of all things. Instead, it was his effective game planning, remarkable durability and pure moxie that nearly halted Jones' new UFC record of six consecutive 205-pound title defenses.
"I've been asking for a dog fight for a long time, and I finally got that dog fight I've been asking for," Jones said after the five-round fight.
The first round offered a little of everything, including some signs of hope for the challenger. While Jones, a 26-year-old fighting phenom who's run through a who's who of ex-champions, was his usually aggressive and effective self, Gustafasson slowed his attacks with nice counter-punches. He even surprised the champ with a late-round takedown, which marked the first time a fighter had scored one on Jones in 13 UFC fights.
Heading into the next frame, Gustafsson appeared to find confidence. After catching a leg and quickly sending the champ to the mat with a sweep kick, Gustafsson avoided a takedown and showed improved striking defense. He didn't check every kick and elbow, and some pesky side and front kicks to the shins and thighs slowed his advances. But Gustafsson took Jones' best shots and returned some solid blows of his own. Source and More Details
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