Jon Jones beats Anthony Smith to retain light-heavyweight title

Jon Jones (left) has won 24 and lost only one of his 25 professional fights

Light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones dominated Anthony Smith in a gruelling five-round fight to defend his title at UFC 235 in Las Vegas.

Two-time champion and overwhelming favourite Jones, 31, picked fellow American Smith apart to earn a unanimous decision.

Jones dominated all five rounds of their main event bout, comprehensively outstriking and outgrappling the 30-year-old.

Despite receiving a two-point deduction for an illegal knee in the fourth round, Jones won by a wide margin, with all three judges scoring the bout 48-44 at the T-Mobile Arena.

Victory extended Jones’ undefeated record in world title fights to 13 as he successfully defended his title for the first time since recapturing the belt from Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232 in December.

“Hats off to Anthony Smith,” Jones said. “Now I see why they call him ‘Lionheart’.

“I have never had someone talk to me while I was hitting him. This guy is so durable – he’s like a Terminator. He did a great job.”

The fight did not match Jones’ vintage displays during his previous world title run, and he admitted he did not deliver the performance he hoped for.

“Man, this MMA thing is really hard,” he said.

“Some days you’re going to look amazing and some days at work you’re not going to perform at the level you hold yourself to.

Before UFC 235, Jones hinted at a move up to heavyweight to face old foe and current champion Daniel Cormier for a third time.

But after beating Smith, Jones suggested an extended stay at light-heavyweight could be an option – with a new crop of contenders, led by Brazilian knockout artist Thiago ‘Marreta’ Santos, beginning to emerge.

“Right now I’m going to enjoy this win, go back to the drawing board and figure out ways to get better,” Jones said.

“There’s a lot of young talent in the UFC – so many guys coming up, so many guys that are looking unbelievable – and that’s going to be such a challenge in itself.”

Usman makes history

In the night’s co-main event Nigeria-born Kamaru Usman produced the performance of his career to dominate long-reigning welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and become the first African-born world champion in UFC history.

Usman, 31, extended his winning streak to 14 and maintained his unbeaten record in the UFC.

“I might not be the best striker in the world and I might not be the best pure wrestler in the world,” he said.

“But when it comes to mixing it up, I’m the best welterweight on the planet right now.”