UFC 235 live blog: Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith

This is the UFC 235 live blog for Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith, a light heavyweight championship bout at Saturday’s UFC event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Jones, who is looking for his first successful defense of his second UFC title reign and ninth overall, faces Smith, a 44-fight veteran who is 3-0 since moving up to light heavyweight, in the main event.

Check out the UFC 235 live blog below.

Round 1: Herb Dean is back for the evening’s main event. Loud leg kick by Smith opens up the action. He’s taking advantage of those leg kicks. Whipping overhand right by Jones catches nothing but air. He’s more successful with a spinning back kick to Smith’s body. Inside leg kick by Smith. Another spinning back kick by Jones lands to the body. He follows with a body punch. Head kick by Smith is caught and Jones immediately rushes in to get Smith against the cage. Underhook battle. Jones with short hops to drive his shoulder into Smith’s face. They separate. Oblique kick by Jones. Smith coming forward with left hooks and Jones backs him up with another pinpoint side kick. Another kick to the body and a leg kick land for Jones. Not a bad round for the challenger, but Jones appeared to control the stand-up.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Jones.

Round 2: Smith interrupts a sequence of Jones kicks with a counter-punch. Another solid body kick lands for Jones and Smith is struggling to get going. Spinning back elbow connects for Jones and he has Smith backed up against the fence. More shoulder thrusts by Jones and then they separate. Smith looking to throw his right hand, then slips in a left to the body. Front kick by Jones, low kick, high kick, he’s mixing it up. Body punch scores for Smith, then one to the body. Jones ducks in and then throws a left over top that lands clean and has Smith backing up. Outside leg kick by Jones is finding a home. Smith trying to throw straight shots, but he’s at a reach deficit. They trade right hands. Leg kick by Jones. 1-2 combo to the body by Jones. The round ends with the two fighting for a body lock.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Jones. Overall, 20-18 Jones.

Round 3: Jones looks collected and content to take his time as round three starts. He goes in for a takedown and has Smith against the fence. Smith defending well against takedowns. They’re getting plenty of time to work and Jones is just controlling Smith and firing knees to the thigh. With two minutes to go, he explodes and lifts Smith into the air before slamming him down. Smith on his knees is holding on to Jones’s left wrist as Jones puts all of his weight on him. Knees to the shin and shoulder by Jones as Smith tries to is just curled up in a seated position. Punches to the hip by Jones.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Jones. Overall, 30-27 Jones.

Round 4: Jones fakes a flying jump kick. High kick is blocked so Jones spins and blasts the body with a kick instead. He pushes Smith back and starts throwing standing elbows to the head. Jumping knee by Jones clips Smith in the face drawing some blood. Jones throws Smith onto his back and throws a borderline illegal kick that just happens to hit Smith’s arm instead of his head. Jones goes down to grapple and gets Smith’s back. He’s punching away from behind as Smith is strictly in defensive mode. Smith gets to his feet with two minutes to go, Jones still holding him. Jones lifts him and drops him back onto his knees. Complete domination here as Jones is just firing away with Smith offering only taken defense. Jones loads up and lands a pair of massive knees to the ribs. Another hard knee as Jones is now standing over Smith, then another elbow. Illegal knee to the head by Jones! Smith looks mostly fine, he’s telling the doctor he’s fine and wants the fight to continue. Dean rules to take away two points from Jones. Okay... That all happened with about a second remaining so the buzzer sounds as soon as the action resumes.

MMA Fighting scores the round 8-8, Jones. Overall, 38-35 Jones.

Round 5: They exchange early. Smith stuffs a Jones takedown. Jones pushing forward with a low kick, step-in elbow, clinch on the fence. Smith just looking to keep an underhook and avoid getting taken down. Jones alternating knees to Smith’s legs. Smith blocks a takedown attempt. Final round taking place entirely in the clinch with Jones racking up points and Smith doing zilch. They separate and Jones goes for a flying knee before the end of the round. Clear-cut decision win for the champ.

Official result: Jon Jones def. Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (48-44, 48-44, 48-44)