Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans

Jones and Evans met in the highly anticipated main event of the evening.

Jones landed a glancing head kick after a feeling out period then went inside on a leg kick. Evans landed a short left hook as both men attempted to find their range. Evans caught Jones on a short uppercut and backed him off, but Jones took the center of the cage. Jones landed an extended elbow, but neither man committed on their strikes, weary of their opponent's power. Jones landed a pair of hard body kicks in the final minute and Evans landed a leg kick. Evans landed a glancing head kick and hurt Jones with a hook near the end of the round.

The two clinched up early in the second and Evans landed some knees to the chest. Jones separated and landed a big leg kick and Evans responded with an overhand right. Jones landed a glancing shot and Evans strutted away, playing to the crowd. Evans landed a short left hook and Jones countered with a jab. Jones landed a pair of elbows in close that rocked Evans then the two clinched against the fence. Jones backed out of the clinch then closed the distance again, pawing with jabs and collapsing his arms to land elbows from distance that were having a serious effect on Evans. Jones landed a big punch before the bell.

Evans landed a big overhand right to start the third that backed Jones off. A lengthy feeling out period followed during which Jones took the center of the Octagon. Jones landed another elbow that wobbled Evans then began attacking with kicks and knees to the legs and body. Evans recovered and landed a left hook in the pocket as both men began swinging hard. Jones connected with a big body kick followed by a stiff jab.

Jones began landing an active lead hand in the fourth as Evans stood in front of him, searching for a big shot. Both fighters connected on short punches in close but Jones was the more active striker in the fourth. Jones got Evans in a front headlock and landed a series of strikes on the way out. Evans looked to be flagging while Jones was feeling confident, coming on strong.

Jones was active with his striking again in the fifth and final round, landing a stiff jab as Evans struggled with the reach disadvantage. Jones landed a superman punch against the cage and Evans tried to fire back but continually came up short in the exchanges. A confident Jones landed a big leaping elbow to the head followed by a glancing head kick. The fighters battled in the clinch and Jones landed another elbow on the break as the time ticked away. Jones tripped Evans to the canvas and attacked in the final minute but the challenger found his footing. Jones pulled guard in the last ten seconds and looked very confident heading to the judges' scorecards.

The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 50-45 for Jones, giving him the Unanimous Decision victory and his third consecutive title defense.

Speaking with Joe Rogan following the bout, Jones said, "It's definitely my most satisfying victory. Who I beat made this very important to me. It felt completely different (fighting Rashad rather than training with him). I had a goal to finish this fight and I couldn't, so hats off to Rashad."