Round three began in a similar fashion to the third and saw Jones continue to use oblique kicks to slow down Saint Preux.
Advertisement
Out of the cage for fifteen months due to a litany of misdemeanours, including being charged with a hit-and-run felony last year (being stripped of his title as a result), the 28-year-old inevitably looked rusty against the late stand-in. Even though he dominated the fight from bell-to-bell, he looked flat-footed and started slow in the bout. With Jones out of action for the previous year, the light heavyweight division was devoid the great push of fans he brought to the sport.
OSP found success here and there with big punches, but rarely threw any.
Apart from the rigorous fitness regime, Jones added, “I drink a lot of water, very little salt and a lot of lean protein and a lot of vegetable juice”. White said at the post-fight press conference. He holds the record for most successful title defenses in UFC light-heavyweight history and he will be looking to wear the UFC gold again, in the interim fashion, when he faces Saint Preux (19-7), a former University of Tennessee football player.
With the victory, Jones claimed the UFC interim light heavyweight championship.
“I don’t think I want that belt, it’s not the real belt”, he said. “I was impressed with him in that sense”. Now Jones, assuming he wins tonight, wants to fight Cormier in UFC 200 to take the place of Conor McGregor who Dana White won’t let fight because he deliberately missed a promotional event in Vegas.
If Cormier does fight Jones at UFC 200, he won’t be the only former Cowboy wrestler on the card. Four years ago he was like, ‘I need you to fight him.
Jones’ victory was decisive at UFC 197.
It definitely took me a while to pull the trigger tonight. Assuming that comes out well, the fight nearly certainly will be announced as the headliner for the summer’s blockbuster card on July 9. “I just won a fight in the UFC”.
Advertisement
Mr. Johnson then finished things by going low to the body that floored Mr. Cejudo and landing an overhand right before referee John McCarthy stopped the fight at the 2:11 mark of the first round. Fox Sports 1 will carry these on TV and you can watch UFC 197 online free live streaming for the preliminaries on Fox Sports Go.
