JON JONES RECLAIMS THE THRONE!!!#UFC232 @JonnyBones pic.twitter.com/M2vG8gvcS6
— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018
Jon Jones didn’t let this one go the distance, as he made a triumphant return to the Octagon at UFC 232 and finished Alexander Gustafsson.
Jones reclaimed the light heavyweight title he previously held, scoring a third round TKO victory. In the first meeting between the two, “Bones” defended his belt via decision in a hotly-contest verdict.
After controlling the opening 10 minutes, Jones worked to the back of Gustafsson before unloading a series of strikes that forced the stoppage.
"The goal is to finish this fight, and that's what I'll do. I'll finish this fight."@JonnyBones at the press conference on Thursday #UFC232 pic.twitter.com/oADLr4HxOq
— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018
Amanda Nunes made history in the co-main event, as the reigning UFC female bantamweight champion knocked out Cris Cyborg to win the featherweight title. Nunes is the first female fighter in the UFC to win titles in multiple weight classes and just the third ever to be a double-champion, joining Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier.
More shocking, though, was with the viciousness and power that Nunes destroyed Cyborg in. The two traded shots early, but it was Nunes closing the gap and getting the better of the exchange, snapping Cyborg’s long win streak.
HAYMAKERS!!!#UFC232 @Amanda_Leoa pic.twitter.com/dbvMgokE9K
— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018
Michael Chiesa fought off several submission attempts by Carlos Condit before securing his own in the second round, earning a victory via kimura. The win marked the debut for Chiesa at welterweight.
A ONE-ARMED submission?!?!@MikeMav22 stops Condit in round 2! #UFC232 pic.twitter.com/TfeXTyUpWD
— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018
Corey Anderson topped Ilir Latifi and Alexander Volkanovski finished Chad Mendes in the second round to conclude the main card.
Walt Harris, Megan Anderson, Petr Yan and Ryan Hall were all winners on the fall FOX Sports prelims as the UFC moves to ESPN beginning in 2019. Anderson topped Cat Zingano after she landed with a kick that cut her eyelid.
Hall, meanwhile, submitted former champion BJ Penn with a heel hook in the opening round.
Nathaniel Wood, Uriah Hall, Curtis Millender and Montel Jackson claimed prelim wins on UFC Fight Pass.
The event was shifted from Las Vegas to Los Angeles earlier this week after a test result for Jones came back abnormal.
Complete UFC 232 results can be found below:
Jon Jones def. Alexander Gustafsson via TKO (strikes) at 2:02 of Round 3 to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion
Amanda Nunes def. Cris Cyborg via KO (strike) at :51 of Round 1 to become the new UFC female featherweight champion
Michael Chiesa def. Carlos Condit via submission (kimura) at :56 of Round 2
Corey Anderson def. Ilir Latifi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Alexander Volkanovski def. Chad Mendes via TKO (strikes) at 4:14 of Round 2
Walt Harris def. Andrei Arlovski via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Megan Anderson def. Cat Zingano via TKO (eye injury) at 1:01 of Round 1
Petr Yan def. Douglas Silva de Andrade via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 2
Ryan Hall def. BJ Penn via submission (heel hook) at 2:46 of Round 1
Nathaniel Wood def. Andre Ewell via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:12 of Round 3
Uriah Hall def. Bevon Lewis via KO (strike) at 1:32 of Round 3
Curtis Millender def. Siyar Bahadurzada via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Montel Jackson def. Brian Kelleher via submission (D’arce choke) at 1:40 of Round 1