Jon Jones' length crucial in haJon Jones celebrates after beating Rashad Evans at UFC 145.Jon Jones celebrates after beating Rashad Evans at UFC 145.ndling Rashad Evans for decision win
The student taught the mentor a thing or two about fighting in the main event of UFC 145 on Saturday. Jon Jones kept his light heavyweight title with a one-sided victory over Rashad Evans, his former training partner and close friend, before a loud sellout crowd at Philips Arena.
Jones' 84 1/2-inch reach was the biggest difference in the grudge match that was 14 months in the making. The two split after Jones said he'd consider fighting Evans, the man who brought him into the highly regarded Jackson's MMA camp in Albuquerque, N.M., and helped develop him into one of the most dominant forces in the sport.
Jones landed a series of kicks, punches and elbows that kept Evans on the outside and didn't allow him to generate any sustained offense. The champion had a 112-56 edge in strikes, including a 52-12 advantage in power shots, according to CompuStrike.
Jon Jones celebrates after beating Rashad Evans at UFC 145.
"It felt completely different fighting him," Jones said in the cage after the bout, which he won by scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46. "I threw a lot of elbows, which is something you don't do to a training partner. My wrestling, I'm a better, stronger wrestler."
This fight, though, was fought primarily on the feet, with Jones controlling the bout with his 10-inch reach advantage. He stunned Evans several times with elbows whenever they got close, which created another issue for Evans.
Unable to compete on the outside and getting elbowed on the inside, Evans had nothing left to try. His wrestling was ineffective against Jones. "He had those sneaky elbows that kept getting in there," Evans said. "I played the wrong game tonight. He came out with those tricky elbows." Jones will likely face veteran Dan Henderson for the title in his next defense, but no fight will be more emotional than the one Saturday against Evans.
