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)
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of UFC 239, where Jon Jones and Thiago Santos face off for the light heavyweight title and Amanda Nunes takes on Holly Holm for the women's bantamweight championship.
We'll begin our full coverage of the main card from 2.30am, with the action getting underway at 3am and the main event expected to start around 5am.
The main card is fast approaching at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and a strong series of matches awaits. Fans have come to expect special contests during International Fight Week, and they're unlikely to be disappointed here.
The final prelim fight is at its halfway mark, with Englishman Arnold Allen looking sharp against veteran Gilbert Melendez.
A comfortable decision win for Arnold Allen (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) as the prelims draw to a close. The main card is up next...
First up is Diego Sanchez (29-11) versus Michael Chiesa (15-4). Having moved up from lightweight last year, this is only Chiesa's second fight at welterweight in the UFC, but the submission specialist impressed in his division debut against Carlos Condit in December, tapping out the former interim welterweight champion. Chiesa's opponent this evening has never lost by submission, though...
Veteran Sanchez has been the more talked about fighter this week, revealing that his lone cornerman this evening will be Josh Fabia, who has almost no MMA coaching experience, but who specialises in 'ancient wisdom'. I'm not sure how that will fare against a rear naked choke... but more on Fabia here: https://mmajunkie.com/2019/07/ufc-239-meet-diego-sanchez-lone-cornerman-josh-fabia
Intense stare from Sanchez before the action begins. The 37-year-old immediately lands a takedown, but Chiesa gets to work grappling. The two men soon rise to their feet and Chiesa lands a trip against the cage, but again they're standing before long, working along the fence.
Chiesa takes the back and lands some nice elbows, softening up Sanchez a bit. He looks to have a rear naked choke locked in, but 'The Nightmare' is able to free himself. Chiesa ends the round on top of his opponent, with the first frame surely in the bag.
Fabia encourages Sanchez to strike in this second round, but the fight is immediately taken to the mat. Chiesa has wrist control and is pouring on punches on the ground. Sanchez is able to stand, but 'Maverick' lands some nice shots against the fence before taking down Sanchez with ease. Sanchez is offering very little right now.
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