Jones wins but fails to ignite as UFC 200 rematch with Cormier is lined up

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  • The bare bones: Jon Jones lands on Ovince Saint Preux.

    It wasn’t for the real belt and we didn’t see the real Jon Jones. But the former light-heavyweight champion is back after a 15-month absence and there’s a belt wrapped around his waist once more.

    ‘Bones’ was forced to work through obvious ring rust against a very dangerous opponent in Ovince Saint Preux as he won a clear unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 197 in Las Vegas on Saturday to take the interim strap.

    ‘OSP’ came into the fight on three weeks notice after 205lbs title holder Daniel Cormier was forced to pull out with a shin injury.

    And it was clear that having prepared for a world-class wrestler, Jones was taking no unnecessary risks against a lengthy and powerful southpaw.

    After all, we all know what can happen with lengthy and powerful southpaws who fight on short notice ala Nate Diaz. But sat

    Octagon side on commentary duty, Cormier must rue his injury withdrawal because him pulling out may just be the best thing that could have happened to Jones.

    The pound-for-pound king picked apart Saint Preux and the cobwebs, battering his opponent with push kicks and big takedowns during a 25-minute battle that bore more resemblance to a sparring session. He was never really in any danger but he simply struggled to put Saint Preux away.

    His best offensive output came in the fourth when he moved in to mount and dropped hard elbows and punches that had referee Herb Dean right on top of the action. Saint Preux was eventually saved by the bell.

    Make no mistake about it, though, there are several levels still to come and Jones himself was quick to recognise that.

    “I’m a little disappointed – just know there’s a much higher level inside of me,” the 28-year-old said.

    “Part of me was just like, ‘You’ve got to fight Daniel Cormier, Jon –do what you’ve got to do to win this fight. The goal is to get back to the UFC. Whether you look like c*** right now or not, the goal is to get back to DC’.’’

    Jones may well reach that target on July 9. UFC president Dana White’s insistence not to indulge Irish superstar Conor McGregor’s promotional demands for the landmark UFC 200 card is arguably because of Jones.

    His bitter rivalry with Cormier, who he handed his only career loss to at UFC 182 in January 2015, is now likely to replace McGregor and Diaz as the headline act in July – providing both fighters are fit.

    “Did Jon look like a world-beater?” White said. “Did he look like the Jon Jones who many say is possibly the greatest ever? No, but he won tonight.

    “Cormier is dying right now, wishing that it was him in there.”

    White later confirmed to ESPN that if both fighters want the rematch then the much vaunted main event of UFC 200 is in the hands of a physician as Cormier seeks clearance from his doctor today.

    If Cormier’s MRI is clear and he faces the version of Jones that competed at UFC 197, he has promised to take advantage,

    “I’m very disappointed that I didn’t get to compete tonight,” he said. “I do believe that if he showed up in the form that he did tonight – or if this is the new Jon Jones – there’s no way that guy can beat me.”

    Jones sent his adversary a clear message of his own after the fight.

    “I gave Daniel the finger leaving the Octagon,” Jones said, with a wide grin. “It felt great to do. It creates buzz and it gets people ready for the fight. Me and DC don’t like each other. He’s been in my sights this whole time. We had a minor bump in the road and we had to take a little detour and now it’s back to me and DC.

    “There weren’t too many emotions involved in doing it. It was more for fun, more to get a reaction from the fans and more to re-start the story.”

    It looks like that narrative will now reach its end at UFC 200.

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