All three judges scored the five-round bout 49-46 in favor of Jones, who claimed his 12th consecutive UFC victory. He’s 21-1 in his career.
“All the crap he talked, it motivated me,” Jones told UFC.com about Cormier, who had been vocal about his desire to strip away the title at MGM Grand Garden Arena. “Sorry I’m being classless right now. I don’t like DC.”
Jones’ younger brother, New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones, certainly was pleased by the win.
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Cormier, a former Olympic wrestler, suffered his first loss, falling to 15-1.
“I just couldn’t find my rhythm tonight,” Cormier said, via UFC.com. “Jon is the best for a reason, and he was the better man tonight.”
Thumbnail photo via Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports Images