Jon Jones celebrates his knockout against Chael Sonnen to win their light heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 159 event at the Prudential Center on April 27, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC Via Getty Images)
UFC 159, which was held on Saturday, April 27, marked the reign of Jon Jones in the light heavyweight division of the UFC, but just barely.
Chael Sonnen laid below the champ with and ate sharp elbows, but almost got out of the octagon as the new owner of the belt, as Jones, during a struggle in the fight, broke his left big toe. With certainty, Octagon-side doctors wouldn’t allow him to come out for the second round, but luckily for him, he finished it before having to deal with that.
The event, held in Newark, N.J., also had Michael Bisping beating Alan Belcher, a fight that finished with a technical decision stemming from an eye injury to the Belcher’s eye.
Additionally, Roy Nelson picked up a first-round knockout over Cheick Kongo.
Jon Jones broke his toe against Chael Sonnen. Image via Twitter.
Jones shows superiority but almost loses the UFC belt
The most anticipated fight of the night was between champion Jon Jones against renowned talker Chael Sonnen, for the UFC light heavyweight title. Beyond all the talk, Sonnen and Jones closed out their coaching of teams on “The Ultimate Fighter 17.”
At UFC 159, Sonnen came to the Octagon with a boxing robe. Jones entered quietly, the sound of Bob Marley playing in the arena speakers, and the certainty that he would enter the cage, do his job, and go back home.
Sonnen started with a low kick to open up the fight, but Jones was the first to take it to the ground. Sonnen then rose, but was pressured by Jones in the cage, and this allowed him to land strong knees before dropping again and striking with elbows. Sonnen even attempted a guillotine, but the champion turned Sonnen aside, pressed against the fence, and began the punishment from top position. This signaled the referee to put a stop to the action, giving the victory to Jones at 4:33 of the first round.
However, shortly after receiving the belt, Jones realized he had broken his left big toe, which was completely turned to the side. The question is: If Chael Sonnen survives to the second stage, Jones would not be back for round with the broken finger, and Chael Sonnen would be declared champion heavyweight. Incredible, no?
Check out the official results of the UFC 159:
UFC 159
Newark, New Jersey, USA
April 27, 2013
Main Card
Jon Jones won by TKO over Chael Sonnen at 4:33 of R1
Michael Bisping defeated Alan Belcher in the majority decision in R3 (eye poke)
Roy Nelson knocked out Cheick Kong 2:03 of R1 (knockout of the night)
Phil Davis Vinny Magalhaes won the unanimous decision
Pat Healy Jim Miller finished with rear naked choke at 4:02 of R3 (submission/fight of the night)
Preliminary Card
Rustam Khabilov def. Yancy Medeiros via TKO (thumb injury) at 2:32, R1
Ovince St-Preux def. Gian Villante via majority technical decision (30-28, 30-29, 29-29) at 0:33, R3
Sara McMann def. Sheila Gaff via TKO (strikes on the ground) at 4:06, R1
Bryan Caraway def. Johnny Bedford via submission (guillotine) at 4:44, R3
Cody McKenzie Leonard Garcia via unanimous decision
Steven Siler defeated Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision
