Jon Jones and Thiago Santos went back-and-forth for five hard-fought rounds at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the main event of UFC 239 on Saturday, July 6. When it was all said and done, Jones was able to edge out the Brazilian challenge via split-decision.
Santos was controlling the fight early in Round 1 with some well-timed, heavy leg kicks that immediately caused a welt on the champion’s leg.
Unfortunately, Santos’ leg appeared to give out and limited his movement throughout the duration of the bout.
After all five rounds were complete, two judges scored the fight in favor of Jones (48-47) while Santos had the edge on the third scorecard (48-47). As both men were leaving the cage, they were both helped back to the locker room thanks to the leg damage from their five-round war.
Here are the highlights from Jon Jones’ latest title defense.
@TMarretaMMA flashing thew power early #UFC239
https://t.co/yDF6wTfa7G pic.twitter.com/X2oYMA1Mj1
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 7, 2019
@JonnyBones is trying to finish this fight #UFC239
https://t.co/yDF6wTfa7G pic.twitter.com/twUgzBn5hS
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 7, 2019
The step-in elbow that dropped Santos
#UFC239 pic.twitter.com/zDlpciWdZT
— UFC (@ufc) July 7, 2019
JINX! #UFC239@Jon_Anik
@joerogan pic.twitter.com/uM2bFjhpGM
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 7, 2019
The full results from UFC 239 can be seen below.
UFC 239 Results
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10:00 p.m. ET)
- Jon Jones def. Thiago Santos via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) for the light heavyweight title
- Amanda Nunes def. Holly Holm via TKO (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 4:10 for the women’s bantamweight title
- Jorge Masvidal def. Ben Askren via KO (flying knee) – Round 1, 0:05
- Jan Blachowicz def. Luke Rockhold via KO (punches) – Round 2, 1:39
- Michael Chiesa def. Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Arnold Allen def. Gilbert Melendez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Marlon Vera def. Nohelin Hernandez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:25
- Claudia Gadelha def. Randa Markos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Song Yadong def. Alejandro Perez via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:04
- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Jack Marshman via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:12
- Chance Rencountre def. Ismail Naurdiev via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
- Julia Avila def. Pannie Kianzad via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
UFC 239: Fight Time & Viewing Details
Event: UFC 239: Jones vs. Santos
Date: Saturday, July 6, 2019
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue: T-Mobile Arena
Main Card Card Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+