Event UFC 197: Jones vs. St. Preux [Results]

Joe pushing DJ as the best ever is a bit odd given that he will be saying the same thing in about ten minutes about Jon Jones.

 

Or we'll get three rounds of sparing and counting...

 

Workmanlike performance from Jones. Looks like he needed this tune-up.

OSP did well to get through the whole thing but offered very little. Looked beyond gun shy.

 

Results

• Jon Jones def. Ovince Saint Preux via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)
• Demetrious Johnson def. Henry Cejudo via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:45
• Edson Barboza def. Anthony Pettis unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Robert Whittaker def. Rafael Natal via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Yair Rodriguez def. Andre Fili via knockout (head kick) – Round 2, 2:15
• Sergio Pettis def. Chris Kelades via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Danny Roberts def. Dominique Steele via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Carla Esparza def. Juliana Lima via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• James Vick def. Glaico Franca via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Walt Harris def. Cody East via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:18
• Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Clint Hester via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:35
• Kevin Lee def. Efrain Escudero via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

 

Few thoughts...

The first fight I saw was Danny Roberts vs. Dominique Steele. Hard to win FOTN with a Barboza/Pettis fight coming up but I thought they did enough. Very even, demanding fight. Both guys showed well.

Didn't see Sergio/Kelades.

Did see Rodriguez KO Fili. Lot of potential there.

Bob Whittaker had a good win but his technique needs a ton of refining. He needs to think about a better camp. Too many winging punches missing by six-ten inches.

Edson Barboza tooled Anthony Pettis. You can see the level of kickboxing he has on display when he isn't concerned about being taken down. Pettis should've thought about submissions because he handily lost the fight on the feet. Barboza has risen up a few times but hasn't reached contender status. Not sure who will be next for him but he deserves a big fight.

DJ was spectacular. Not sure if Cejudo was overcome by the moment. DJ has cleaned out his division to such a degree that he could take a year off and let it rebuild in the interim. I have no clue what is next for DJ.

Jon Jones looked rusty, like he was at about 50%. Felt like OSP was willing to quit but Jones never mounted enough pressure. He requires a better performance in July if they do go ahead and book the fight as the new main event of UFC 200.

Props to Daniel Cormier who I thought added a lot to the main event by joining the commentary team.

 

Glad to see they did wind up getting FOTN. That $50K each will help them get through the year I'm sure.

Other winners were Rodriguez and DJ.

 

Jones may have broken one of OSP's arms blocking a kick.

 

Jones' comeback fight generates nothing lol. They really need their true stars back or their stuck in that limbo of talented fighters that no one really cares about.

OSP fought with a broken arm for 3 full rounds and some of the 2nd round. I don't know if that was trust for JJ or if that is how he will look from now on. I fully expect him to be back on the light for something stupid. He hasn't changed. Cormier will wreck that version of Jon.

 

I think Cormier is wrong to think that the version of JJ we saw last night would be one he could take advantage of. I think Jones fought down to the level of his opponent and would've put in a better effort against DC.

 

Early PPV estimates are 300k...

Better beef up that 200 card, Dana.

 

Pretty bad. That is about your baseline for the 'order every show' people. Although it is a slight improvement over DJ's recent shows.

The novelty of UFC "200" might carry it to 1-million buys. Looks like Jones being on the card is not impactful.