UFC 239 results: Jon Jones defeats Thiago Santos by decision, Jorge Masvidal scores fastest KO in promotion's history
Re-live all the action from the UFC light heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas
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Your support makes all the difference.Jon Jones (25-1, 1 NC) retained his light heavyweight title at UFC 239 in Las Vegas on Saturday night, defeating Thiago Santos (21-7-0) by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47).
In the co-main event, Amanda Nunes (18-4) retained her women's bantamweight title with a first-round finish against Holly Holm (12-5), stopping the former champion with a head kick late in the round.
Meanwhile, Jorge Masvidal (34-13) created history by knocking out the previously undefeated Ben Askren (19-1, 1 NC) in five seconds, marking the fastest KO in UFC history.
When is UFC 239?
UFC 239 takes place on the night of Saturday 6 July.
What time does it start?
The UFC 239 main card begins at 3am BST (10pm ET). The early prelims begin at 11pm BST (6pm ET), with the prelims getting underway at 1am (8pm ET).
How to watch
The fight will be shown live in the UK on BT Sport, with prelims being shown on BT Sport 1 and the main card on BT Sport Box Office at a cost of £19.95.
The fight can also be purchased on the BT Sport website, which will enable the broadcast to be watched online and on tablet.
Full fight card
Jon Jones (c) vs Thiago Santos (light heavyweight)
Amanda Nunes (c) vs Holly Holm (women’s bantamweight)
Jorge Masvidal vs Ben Askren (welterweight)
Luke Rockhold vs Jan Blachowicz (light heavyweight)
Diego Sanchez vs Michael Chiesa (welterweight)
Preliminary card
Gilbert Melendez vs Arnold Allen (featherweight)
Marlon Vera vs Hohelin Hernandez (bantamweight)
Claudia Gadelha vs Randa Markos (women’s strawweight)
Alejandro Perez vs Yadong Song (bantamweight)
Early prelims
Edmen Shahbazyan vs Jack Marshman (middleweight)
Ismail Naurdiev vs Chance Rencountre (welterweight)
Julia Avila vs Pannie Kianzad (women’s bantamweight)
Unsurprisingly, the inexperienced Fabia is offering little to no tactical advice to Sanchez in between rounds. He just wants more effort from his fighter, but Sanchez isn't struggling for a lack or trying – he's just being outclassed and manhandled.
Chiesa is alternating between beating up Sanchez and looking to add to his 11 submission wins. But Sanchez has never tapped in his career and he's not going to tonight. The buzzer sounds and you can expect the judges' scorecards to show a landslide victory for Chiesa, who has looked very impressive tonight in his second welterweight appearance in the UFC.
Chiesa def. Sanchez by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26).
A dominant performance from Chiesa. Here are some key stats from the fight:
Total strikes landed: Chiesa 125, Sanchez 42
Control time: Chiesa 11:05, Sanchez 2:18
Takedowns: Chiesa 5, Sanchez 1
Next up are Luke Rockhold (16-4) and Jan Blachowicz (23-8). Rockhold, a former middleweight champ, is making his 205lbs debut.
Rockhold has long spoken about moving up to light heavyweight, and following last year's third-round TKO defeat to Yoel Romero, the 34-year-old finally decided the time was right to make the switch. A lot of fans have expressed doubts about the resilience of Rockhold's chin, and it will be interesting to see how it holds up with the Californian cutting less weight this time around.
Blachowicz, 36, is also coming off of a third-round TKO defeat. The Pole lost to Thiago Santos – who challenges Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title in tonight's main event – in his last outing. Blachowicz feels he's been overlooked by his opponent and some fans heading into this fight. Let's see if that's motivated him to achieve what the bookmakers are deem an upset this evening.
Rockhold's left shin is strapped, but he immediately throws a head kick with that same leg, followed by body kicks. He's mixing up these kicks, and shoots for a takedown against the cage. Blachowicz has largely been able to keep a base so far, though.
The midway point of the round arrives and there's some booing from fans inside the T-Mobile Arena, due to a relative lack of action. Blachowicz gives them something to cheer, though, landing a sharp elbow with his back to the cage. Rockhold is back on the outside and kicking, but there's a beautiful check from Blachowicz on a leg kick. Rockhold switches stance.
Rockhold wobbled as the buzzer sounds! Blachowicz grows into the round within the final minute, and suckers Rockhold into trading somewhat recklessly on the feet. He stuns Rockhold with a series of strikes just before the buzzer goes.
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