.@JonnyBones gets the huge takedown but @003_OSP bounces right back up. Very competitive fight! #UFC197 https://t.co/0LW7sy2Sv8
— UFC (@ufc) April 24, 2016
Jon Jones dominated his UFC 197 fight against against a game opponent in Ovince St. Preux, but looked a little rusty in the process. After winning the UFC light heavyweight belt, he rejected the interim belt and then said his next performance against Daniel Cormier for the undisputed title would be much better.
"I don't think I even want that belt." @JonnyBones #UFC197 https://t.co/09YARXViLG
— UFC (@ufc) April 24, 2016
In general the fight between Jones and St. Preux was a lot more competitive than expected, mostly because Jones showed a considerable amount of ring rust and a perceived hesitance to engage with OSP to start. Of course, even though it didn’t look like it, Jones absolutely dominated the first 15 minutes of the fight, as he was tiring out OSP with oblique kicks and ripping body shots.
But OSP used his size, and actually got some decent shots in:
https://twitter.com/ZProphet_MMA/status/724094750354079744
As they headed into the championship rounds, boos came from the crowd, and Twitter was pretty spot-on by calling out the slow pace of the fight.
Jones could probably turn it up and end this whenever he wants. Not a very good fight
— Rian Scalia (@RianScalia) April 24, 2016
30-27 Jones, but the natives are getting restless, which is hilarious. #UFC197
— E. Spencer Kyte (@spencerkyte) April 24, 2016
Cardio and leg kicks will = the end of OSP tonight. Jones is loosening up. @ufc #UFC197 @MMAonSiriusXM
— Jonas Barnes (@JonasBarnes) April 24, 2016
Jon Jones looks more rusty than new and improved, but he's still beating up OSP through three rounds.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) April 24, 2016
Even Daniel Cormier made it known that he had regret not taking “Rusty Jones” at UFC 197.
But the fight picked up big time as both men looked looser heading into the fourth. Jones got a huge takedown, but OSP overpowered Jones and got right back up. Jones would slice into OSP with elbows and continued to work the takedowns. Late in the fourth, Jones would batter OSP with non-stop elbows. If the time wouldn’t have expired, OSP would’ve been done.
Greg Jackson would say to Jones between rounds, “Take him to the cage, get him on the ground and finish him.”
https://twitter.com/onepunchmane/status/724097204852514817
https://twitter.com/JoshPuklavetz/status/724097456724570112
https://twitter.com/ItsMikeFagan/status/724098036620632065
The fifth round was more dominant from Jones, but not in any way that showed his greatness before. Jones looked tired but fantastic, and he became the interim UFC light heavyweight champ. Jones even looked disappointed in himself as the fight ended.
Chill, dudes. Jon Jones was taking it easy so he could fight at #UFC200. #UFC197
— Jee (@yellowpwerrngr) April 24, 2016
Crazy Mouse fight.
Boring Jones fight. #UFC197 pic.twitter.com/d87Gr2MTpC— Stoned Rogan (@StonedRogan) April 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/TIMinBALTIMORE/status/724098780170215425
Jones came into UFC 197 on a 16-month break from MMA he didn’t want, but it was a break he needed and deserved. Run-ins with the law, testing positive for cocaine after his fight against Cormier at UFC 182, and more run-ins with the law almost derailed arguably the best career in UFC or even MMA history. Jones was unbeatable, and he was going to get his belt back against Cormier, but then one more road bump in his return to the Octagon to reclaim his belt.
Light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier went down with an injury, and in stepped Ovince St. Preux. Now here we are.