UFC 247 live blog: Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes

This is the UFC 247 live blog for Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes, the light heavyweight headliner for Saturday’s fight card at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Jones attempts the third defense of the title in his second reign as the 205-pound champ, while Reyes, who’s undefeated in his 12-bout professional career, tries to unseat the man widely regarded as the sport’s pound-for-pound best.

Check out the UFC 247 live blog below.

Round 1: Reyes comes right out with a shot and locks up in the clinch. Already, the challenger is cutting a more active foe for Jones. But Jones is attacking the legs early, blocking a high kick. And more low kicks from Jones, prompting Reyes to fire back with aggressive punches forward. They trade leg kicks and clash shins. Reyes circling and trying that angle. He’s short. Jones gets warned for extending his fingers. Reyes keeping a pace that’s active, though he’s still a bit short. Reyes makes Jones sit briefly with a straight left and Jones shoots. Reyes follows up, and all of a suden, it looks like Jones is hurt. Jones goes with kicks to keep distance, and then to the body. Reyes starts to pick his shots and then backs off. Jones extending his arms again to get distance. Reyes attacking the legs now. A flurry of kicks from Reyes, who has Jones on the defense. Jones having a hard time setting up for his favored attacks, though his kicks are still there. Jones now following Reyes, and he draws a kick to the body. High kick brushes Jones’ head, and another one is solidly blocked. Jones moving forward as Reyes tries to cut angles. Time runs out with Jones in pursuit.

MMA Fighting scores the frame 10-9 for Reyes.

Round 2: Reyes leads to the body and attacks low. Jones counters up high and goes on the pursuit. Reyes jabbing and switching stances to keep him off. Reyes gets inside and continues to punch inside, cornering Jones and firing flurries of punches that mostly miss as Jones bobs and weaves. Now, Jones is back on the advance with plenty of round left to go. Jones checks a leg kick hard and then goes to attack Reyes’ leg. Shovelcut good for Reyes, but it’s not backing off Jones, who lands a nice left hook. Reyes trying to find a way around Jones, but the champ won’t let up on the pressure. Jones beginning to land straight shots, jabs and crosses. Reyes lands a nice straight left that appears to swell Jones’ eye. Then Jones goes back to the legs. They both sit down on power punches. Jones goes back to the legs, and Reyes cracks him with an uppercut. Nice low leg kick from Reyes, and Jones whiffs on a punch at the end of the frame.

MMA Fighting scores the frame 10-9 for Jones, and it’s even at 19-19.

Round 3: Jones goes on the offense with low kicks and is pushed back by a high kick. He comes forward only to be pushed back by another combo. Jones goes back to the lower leg. Reyes smacks Jones’ hands down. Jones lands a shot and is chased back by a Reyes charge. Reyes attacks the body and lower leg. He’s keeping a higher pace, though Jones’ low leg kicks are continuing to land. Reyes is landing to the body with his kick. Jones advances again, and Reyes whiffs on a combo. Nice uppercut inside from Reyes as Jones advances. Jones high kick blocked, and he shoots in for a takedown. Reyes sprawls and stays upright. Reyes elbows in the clinch and gets free, nailing the body as he retreats. Jones spins for an attack and backs off it. Finally, Jones gets Reyes stationary, but Reyes’ continues to punch and keep distance. They both sit down on left hands again, and Jones continues to press. Nice body shot from Reyes. This is a crazy pace for a light heavyweight fight. A glancing left from Reyes lands, and Jones is still in his face. Jones jumps with a front kick and grabs a leg against the fence as time runs out.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Reyes, who’s up 29-28.

Round 4: Reyes again leads with a combo, and Jones goes back to the legs. Reyes lands a combo of hooks, and Jones eye appears to be hurt. Jones shoots for the takedown, and he frantically pushes to complete after Reyes pops up. Jones can’t complete it and is forced to settle for position against the fence. Reyes frames off and circles. Reyes hooks again as Jones is warned for extended fingers. Jones advances into an uppercut. Nice low kick to Reyes’ punch. Jones back to the takedown, and Reyes fights off the intal attempt. Again, Reyes resists and Jones nearly kicks him upside the head as he escapes. Reyes leading to the body and head as he circles off. Jones leg kick is still good, and he’s still moving forward. Reyes’ right hook is still good. Jones goes to the body and follows with an elbow. He’s increasing the pressure and lands a nice hook. Reyes comes back with his own shot and circles off. Jones pursuing with kicks and goes high. Reyes looks like he’s fading. Jones active with kicks. Nice three-punch combo from Jones, who has Reyes on the ropes with short time.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Jones, and it’s 38-38 all.

Round 5: Jones back forward, and Reyes goes again to the body and legs. Jones shoots for theh takedown and almost has Reyes’ back. But Reyes refuses to capitulate and Jones has to settle for smothering against the fence. Reyes escapes and again fires a combo inside. Jones back with a quick answer, and they trade low kicks. Jones lands a body kick and goes hard with leg kicks. Jones getting busier with combinations, while Reyes is struggling to keep up. A leg kick difusses a hard Reyes punch, and a follow-up leg kick slams the challenger. Reyes misses his power punch while Jones lands his left. Nice straight left from Reyes, but it’s not enough to get Jones away. Head kick from Jones misses and he takes a counter left in return. Reyes kicks the legs as he retreats. Jones presses forward, and Reyes tries to jab him away. Jones kicks to the body and legs again, and we’re now in the final minute. Jones spins again and lands to the body with a kick. Jones’ leg kicks are always there. Reyes attacks the body, and Jones pushes in for one last exchange. Reyes lands a glancing left, and Jones spins and misses on a shot.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Jones, who gets the 48-47 score.

Official result: Jon Jones def. Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)