Jon Jones Sounds Off On Illegal Strikes From UFC 235

Jon Jones picked up another dominant title defense over Anthony Smith (highlights here) in the main event of last night’s (Sat., March 2, 2019) UFC 235 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, but it wasn’t without the inevitable controversy. It’s time Jones responds to the illegal strikes he landed against “Lionheart.”

“Bones” was cruising to a one-sided decision with seeming ease. But he hit Smith with a powerful knee when Smith was still down later on in the bout. The knee came after Jones had possibly landed an illegal kick on a grounded “Lionheart.”

Herb Dean took two points from Jones as a result, yet the fight continued. Smith admitted he was “fine” and didn’t take the easy route to becoming the champion by saying he could not continue due to the moves. MMA Twitter spoke up with varied reactions about the strikes. Jones addressed the illegal maneuvers himself at the UFC 235 post-fight presser, noting the knee was unintentional:

“Yeah, that was. You know, the first kick I definitely aimed for his body. That’s where it landed. The illegal knee was totally unintentional. In the moment, I felt his body language rising, I felt his body, you know, rising. I thought I was getting ready to time a great head shot right away he got off of his palm. To my understanding, on his fingertips, he’s considered standing. And his body came up, I threw the kick, and I guess his palm was still down. Totally unintentional. Hats off to Anthony Smith for having a “Lionheart.” I think the average person would have used that as a way out and became a world champion.”

Did the Right Thing

“Bones” kept up his praise for Smith, adding how “proud” he was of his opponent because of his fighting on like a warrior, even in defeat:

“He was tired, he had been hit with the kitchen sink, and I mean, I did an illegal blow. And he decided to allow the fight to continue. And I’m so proud of him for just being a real warrior out there and continuing the fight.”

Jones may be proud of his vanquished foe. But the fact is he’s gaining even more of a reputation of being a dirty fighter. His outside-the-cage troubles are well known. You could add to that by citing the fact that his only career loss has come via disqualification and his repeated instances of eye pokes. UFC 235 added to that list of in-the-cage issues.

“Lionheart” didn’t want to become the champion by taking advantage of it, yet it seems there is always a degree of scandal whenever “Bones” is there, be it before the fight or during it.

What did you think – are the illegal strikes nothing to complain of, or the continuation of a trend?