UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones dominated Anthony Smith Saturday night, defending his title in the main event of UFC 235.
The card took place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Jones, who won back the vacant belt in December with a finish of Alexander Gustafsson, was never threatened by Smith. “Lionheart” worked his way up the ladder after wins over the likes of Rashad Evans and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, both former UFC champions.
In the fourth, Smith was caught with an illegal knee. Instead of having the bout stopped, the challenger continued to fight and the referee deducted two points from Jones for the strike.
The win was the 16th consecutive fight in the UFC without a loss by Jones, tying him with Anderson Silva for most in UFC history.
Kamaru Usman placed himself atop the UFC’s welterweight division, dethroning Tyron Woodley with a decision victory. The fight result was never in question, as Usman swept the scorecards.
Usman, a former Ultimate Fighter winner, landed over 330 strikes to just 60 by Woodley.
Former Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren made his long awaited Octagon debut, submitting Robbie Lawler. Askren, unbeaten in his career, appeared to be finished early on by the former UFC champion, but “Funky” recovered and locked up a bulldog choke.
The decision was controversial, as Lawler seemed unfazed by the choke, but referee Herb Dean had already declared him out.
Weili Zhang scored a decision victory over Tecia Torres and Pedro Munhoz opened the pay-per-view main card with a first round knockout of former champion Cody Garbrandt.
On ESPN, Zabit Magomedsharipov put on a clinic, topping Jeremy Stephen via decision, while Johnny Walker landed the knockout blow on Misha Cirkunov with a flying knee.
Cody Stamman bested Alejandro Perez and Diego Sanchez finished Mickey Gall.
UFC Fight Pass prelim winners were Edmen Shahbazyan, Macy Chiasson and Hannah Cifers.
Complete results from UFC 235: Jones vs. Smith can be found below:
Jon Jones def. Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (48-44, 48-44, 48-44) to remain UFC light heavyweight champion
Kamaru Usman def. Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45) to become the new UFC welterweight champion
Ben Askren def. Robbie Lawler via technical submission (bulldog choke) at 3:20 of Round 1
Welli Zhang def. Tecia Torres via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Pedro Munhoz def. Cody Garbrandt via KO (strike) at 4:52 of Round 1
Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Johnny Walker def. Misha Cirkunov via TKO (strikes) at :36 of Round 1
Cody Stamman def. Alejandro Perez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Diego Sanchez def. Mickey Gall via TKO (strikes) at 4:13 of Round 2
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Charles Byrd via TKO (strikes) at :38 of Round 1
Macy Chiasson def. Gina Mazany via TKO (strikes) at 1:49 of Round 1
Hannah Cifers def. Polyana Viana via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)