Starting with UFC 197, it’s tough to see that streak breaking any time soon.
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Jones hasn’t fought in nearly 16 months since his win over Daniel Cormier at UFC 182.
Jon “Bones” Jones regained his Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title Saturday nearly a year after the UFC stripped him of the belt following a hit-and-run crash in Albuquerque on April 27.
Jones was unable to claim the knockout victory though, and questions have immediately been raised over whether he remains the all-conquering fighter that he was before his UFC absence.
Meanwhile, Jones is handling the pressure of his upcoming fight with Ovince Saint Preux quite well.
Jones pretty much cruised to the finish line from there, posting a lopsided (50-44, 50-45, 50-45) unanimous decision win.
Jones continued to push the pace and landed another takedown, which saw him get into side control and drop several elbows from top position. Saint Preux fell to 19-8.
“I was way too hesitant in there”, Jones said in the post-fight press conference.
Of course, Jones’ battle would be a bigger deal and a potential rematch with Daniel Cormier would be a quality addition. However, despite his best efforts, he couldn’t keep Saint Preux on his back. “Come chase this real title, and get beat, and I’ll ship you back to Albuquerque”. I agreed with the judges – I gave Barboza the first, Anthony the second and Barboza the third.
“Absolutely, I would totally step in to UFC 200 and fill that main event or co-main event slot”, Jones told reporters.
“I have been training for one fighter and they threw me this taller, power punching, switching stances, you know it just wasn’t what I was prepared for”.
UFC 198 will take place on May 14 in Brazil, with the headline fight being between heavyweights Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic.
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Cejudo is a +300 underdog in this match going up against the speedy and athletic champion Johnson (-400). Johnson’s versatility is his greatest strength, and he’ll need it to keep this fight off the mat as Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist as a wrestler.
