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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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)
Holm is a former bantamweight champion, having famously won the title by ending Ronda Rousey's undefeated streak with a head kick in front of a record crowd in Australia in 2015. Since then, 'The Preacher's Daughter' has seen mixed fortunes at bantamweight and featherweight, but she's fresh off of a decision win against Megan Anderson in her last outing.
Nunes (17-4) – who has widely been regarded as the greatest women's MMA fighter of all time since knocking out Cyborg last December - is the betting favourite. Holm (12-4) is looking to secure a big upset. In the words of the legendary Bruce Buffer, "It's time!" Five five-minute rounds for the women's bantamweight title.
Lots of feinting from both women early on. "Holly" chants echo around the arena. An uneventful first minute, but Nunes appears to trip as Holly throws a shot. The champ is straight back up, though.
Holm blocks a head kick, just... She'll still have felt it though. She charges at Nunes with a combination and the champ clinches. Nunes trips her challenger neatly, but 'The Preacher's Daughter' does well to stand back up quickly.
It's all over! Nunes retains with a clean head kick! A third consecutive KO on the night.
Holm goes for an oblique kick, but Nunes comes over the top with a picture perfect high kick. The champ's foot smacks the challenger's face and sits her down. Holm is out of sorts, and as Nunes goes for the finish, referee Marc Goddard intervenes.
Nunes def. Holm by KO (4:10 of round 1).
Cyborg, Rousey, Miesha Tate, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Raquel Pennington. Add Holm to that list.
All have fallen to Nunes, the greatest women's MMA fighter of all time. Tweet me (@alex_pattle) if you disagree. I'd sure love to hear your reasoning.
This has been a tremendous card and there's one fight left. The main event sees Jon 'Bones' Jones (24-1-0, 1 NC) defend his light heavyweight title against Thiago 'Marreta' Santos (21-6-0).
Jones' sole career loss was a DQ defeat to Matt Hamill in 2009, when 'Bones' was penalised for throwing illegal 12-6 elbows. Many see the light heavyweight champ as undefeated, however.
He comes up against a truly heavy hitter in Brazil's Thiago Santos, whose nickname means 'Sledgehammer' (the massive tattoo on his chest somewhat gives that away). You don't get a huge sledgehammer inked on your body if you're not carrying fearsome power in your hands.
Jones' career has been tainted by mistakes outside the Octagon, as well as failed drug tests, but his recent results are setting him on the right path to correcting his legacy. In the last seven months, the 31-year-old has stopped long-time rival Alexander Gustaffson and picked up a unanimous decision win over Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments