Jon Jones retains title in split points decision and Amanda Nunes eviscerates Holly Holm in opening round – two champions retain titles
Jon Jones, playing a cat-and-mouse fight with challenger Thiago Santos, retained his light heavyweight title belt here in Sin City, choosing to stay in a stand up battle in the Brazilian’s backyard, not once choosing to use his wrestling. It was a gamble, but it paid off as the American eked his way to victory.
Santos, always dangerous, was looking to claim the title against the great fighter, always ready with a cocked counter left hook from the southpaw stance.
Jones was helped out of the arena by his team, limping, and supported on both shoulders.
But it was a dramatic night in the T-Mobile Arena here as the other Brazilian – Amanda Nunes – retained her women’s bantamweight crown when the 31-year-old, laying claim to be the greatest women’s fighter of all time, stopped former champion Holly Holm in the opening stanza.
What Nunes has learnt is to be patient, and the champ-champ – both 135lbs and 145lbs champion – showed it to perfection in one of the most dramatic nights in UFC history.
Of note, too, was Jorge Masvidal knocking Ben Askren out by flying knee just two seconds into their bout.
“Jones won it comfortably, in my view,” said Dana White, the UFC President, “which defines him as The Greatest. Look at who he has beaten.”