Check out the best photos from Jon Jones’ split decision win over Thiago Santos at UFC 239 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Photos by Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports)
MMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Thiago Santos (blue gloves) before his fight against Jon…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Thiago Santos (blue gloves) before his fight against Jon Jones (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Thiago Santos (blue gloves) before his fight against Jon…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Thiago Santos (blue gloves) before his fight against Jon Jones (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Thiago Santos (blue gloves) before his fight against Jon…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Thiago Santos (blue gloves) before his fight against Jon Jones (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) does a flip before his…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) does a flip before his fight against Thiago Santos (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) before his fight against Thiago…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) before his fight against Thiago Santos (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJon JonesMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) fights against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) reacts after the third round…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) reacts after the third round of his fight against Thiago Santos (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) after his win against Thiago…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) after his win against Thiago Santos (blue gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) after his win against Thiago…Jul 6, 2019; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) after his win against Thiago Santos (not pictured) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsmoreMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs SantosJon JonesMMA: UFC 239-Jones vs Santosjon-jones-thiago-santos-ufc-239-scorecardJon JONES Jones def. Reyes Jones def. Gustafsson Jones def. Cormier Thiago SANTOS Rakic def. Santos Hall def. Santos Santos def. Theodorou UFC 239: Jones vs. Santos Chiesa def. Sanchez Allen def. UFC 239 - Jones vs. Santos pits Jon Bones Jones vs Thiago Marreta Santos fight in T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States, United States on Jul 6, 2019.
UFC Fight Night: Santos vs Teixeira is around the corner and will decide the number one contender. Thiago Santos is favored to win the fight, much in part due to his efforts against Jon Jones in his last outing. ‘Marreta’ put forth one of the hardest tests of Jones’ career and left some to believe that he had won.
Let’s take a look at Santos’ star-making performance that unfolded in the main event for UFC 239 in Las Vegas.
The first-round went to the challenger, who worked the legs of Jones from the very outset of their meeting. He also knocked out Jones’ mouthpiece, thus displaying his power early in the contest. Jon was happy to let the first-round slip by and worked on his distance management.
As the fight progressed, it seemed like ‘Marreta’ was twitching his knee rather uncomfortably. Jon Jones decided to capitalize on his declining forward pressure and began ramping up his aggression. Despite the clear difficulty in planting his leg, Thiago wasn’t afraid to unexpectedly explode into Jones’ range. He continued throwing heavy artillery with his legs, but it was clear he couldn’t effectively stick his landing.
It was later revealed that he suffered a torn ACL, MCL, PCL, and Meniscus mid-way through his bout against ‘Bones’. This went a long way in magnifying his performance, as it was clear that he was struggling to stand upright. Some fans believe that Jon had missed a step, and he wasn’t able to capitalize on a compromised opponent.
The general fan consensus is that Jon Jones did just enough to squeak out a win on the scorecards. Chiefly, it was Santos’ early barrage, overall intensity and the heart he displayed that made fans believe he won. Jon Jones did just enough to ensure that he had outpointed an aggressive opponent and never chased the finish.
Moreover, UFC President Dana White reaffirmed this narrative when he spoke out after UFC 239 had wrapped up. White went so far as to say that Thiago Santos was ‘completely dominated’ by the champion.
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