Jon Jones Takes Interim Championship, Decisions Ovince St. Preux in UFC 197 Headliner

Jon Jones at less than his best was more than enough to get past Ovince St. Preux. In his first appearance inside the Octagon in more than a year, Jones claimed the interim Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title and cruised to a unanimous decision over St. Preux in the UFC 197 headliner on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Scores were 50-44, 50-45 and 50-45, all in Jones’ favor. St. Preux (19-8, 7-3 UFC), who replaced reigning light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier on short notice, was stuck in neutral for the majority of the 25-minute encounter. Jones chipped away at the underdog with a variety of kicks to the legs, body and head. He appeared passive at times but found another gear in the championship round. Jones (22-1, 16-1 UFC) struck for a pair of takedowns in the fourth round, battered the fading St. Preux with some of his trademark elbows and briefly advanced to mount. He scored with another powerful takedown in the fifth before easing his foot off the gas and coasting to the finish line. Jones, 28, will carry a 13-fight winning streak into his planned unification bout with Cormier. Related » UFC 197 Round-by-Round Scoring Johnson Clinch Wrecks Cejudo In the co-main event, Demetrious Johnson retained the UFC flyweight championship, as he disposed of the previously unbeaten Henry Cejudo with first-round knees and punches. Cejudo (10-1, 4-1 UFC) wilted 2:49 into round one, the latest victim of Johnson’s brilliance. Cejudo landed an early takedown, but little else went his way. Johnson (24-2-1, 12-1-1 UFC) returned to his feet, drew the Olympic gold medalist …

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