UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Roe Jogan
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Introduction
UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson. September 21, 2013. Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Jon Jones defended the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Alexander Gustafsson by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) in five rounds — the closest fight of Jones’ title reign and one of the most competitive bouts in LHW history. Jones’ sixth consecutive LHW title defence broke Tito Ortiz’s record for most consecutive title defences at 205 lbs.
Gustafsson was the first man to take Jones down, the first to cut him, and the first to badly damage him across a title fight. Both fighters went to the hospital immediately after the event. The co-main event finally delivered the Interim BW Championship fight that had been pulled from UFC 161 in Winnipeg: Renan Barao knocked out Eddie Wineland with a spinning back kick in round two.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: September 21, 2013
Venue: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Attendance: 15,504; Gate: $1,900,000; PPV: 310,000
Main Event: Jon Jones (c) vs. Alexander Gustafsson — UFC LHW Championship (5 rounds; 6th title defence)
Result: Jones def. Gustafsson — UD (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) — CLOSEST FIGHT OF JONES’ CAREER; Gustafsson first to take Jones down; first to badly damage him; both hospitalised
Notable: Jones breaks Tito Ortiz LHW record (6 defences); Barao spinning back kick KO of Wineland (delayed from UFC 161); Khabib def. Healy; $50k bonuses
The Build-Up
Gustafsson had won six straight LHW fights to earn his title shot. He was a +660 underdog on some betting sites. The marketing of the fight focused on his height — he was taller than Jones, an unusual distinction for a challenger. Gustafsson had trained with former NCAA wrestling champion Phil Davis at Alliance MMA, improving his grappling. Davis was also the only previous man to defeat Gustafsson inside the cage.
Main Event
Jon Jones (c) vs. Alexander Gustafsson — UFC LHW Championship
Gustafsson opened with clean punches and cut Jones early in the first round. Jones used leg kicks and push kicks throughout, but Gustafsson absorbed them and kept pressing. In round two, Gustafsson caught a Jones leg kick and snapped his leg out from under him, taking him to the canvas — the first time anyone had taken Jones down in the UFC. Rounds one through three were competitive and considered by many observers to have been won by Gustafsson.
In round four, Gustafsson connected with clean left hooks. Jones responded with a vicious spinning elbow that rocked Gustafsson, followed by knees. Gustafsson was nearly finished. He survived. Jones dominated round five with head kicks. The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones. Many in attendance and watching believed Gustafsson had done enough to win. Both fighters went to the hospital immediately after the fight. Dana White called it a bout where both men felt they were going to die.
Co-Main Event
Renan Barao (c) vs. Eddie Wineland — UFC Interim BW Championship
This fight had originally been planned for UFC 161 in Winnipeg but was cancelled when Barao withdrew with a foot injury. At UFC 165, Barao landed a spinning back kick in round two that connected cleanly on Wineland’s head. Wineland went down and the fight was stopped at 0:35 of round two. Barao’s interim title was retained and he awaited unification with the undisputed champion.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
John Makdessi def. Yves Edwards — Decision — R3 — LW
Alex Caceres def. Ivan Menjivar — Decision — R3 — BW
Mitch Gagnon def. Dustin Kimura — Submission — R? — BW; bonus ($50k)
Stephen Thompson def. Chris Clements — TKO — R? — WW
Myles Jury def. Mike Ricci — Decision — R3 — LW
Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Pat Healy — TKO — R2 — LW; Khabib continues unbeaten UFC run
Main Card
Brendan Schaub def. Matt Mitrione — TKO — R? — HW
Francis Carmont def. Costas Philippou — Decision — R3 — MW
Renan Barão def. Eddie Wineland — TKO (Spinning Back Kick + Punches) — R2, 0:35 — Interim BW Championship; Co-Main; KO Night ($50k to Barao); fight delayed from UFC 161
UFC LHW Championship (5 rounds) — Main Event
Jon Jones def. Alexander Gustafsson — Decision (Unanimous) — R5, 5:00 (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) — LHW Championship; 6th defence (record); FOTN ($50k each); both hospitalised
Bonuses & Awards
Fight of the Night: Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson — $50,000 to each fighter.
KO of the Night: Renan Barao vs. Eddie Wineland — $50,000 to Barao (spinning back kick TKO).
Sub of the Night: Mitch Gagnon — $50,000.
Records & Milestones
Jon Jones — 6th consecutive LHW title defence; broke Tito Ortiz’s record for most consecutive LHW title defences in UFC history.
Gustafsson — first man to take Jones down in the UFC; first man to cut Jones and badly damage him in a title fight; Gustafsson earned immediate rematch consideration.
Both fighters hospitalised after the fight — a rare occurrence; the severity of the combat was reflected in both athletes requiring post-fight medical attention.
Legacy & Impact
Jones vs. Gustafsson at UFC 165 is the fight that proved Jones was not invincible. The manner of the fight — Gustafsson’s boxing landing clean across three early rounds, his takedown of the champion, his ability to keep coming forward despite kicks, elbows, and knees — showed a LHW capable of beating Jones on a different night. The closeness of the result made the demand for a rematch immediate and sustained.
The decision in Jones’ favour rested on the damage he inflicted in the fourth and fifth rounds. Jones’ spinning elbow in round four rocked Gustafsson and the subsequent head kicks in round five likely decided the scorecards. Gustafsson never accepted the result and Jones never gave him an immediate rematch, choosing to fight Glover Teixeira next. The rematch did not happen until 2018.'),
FAQ
Was UFC 165 Jones' closest fight?
Yes. Jones vs. Gustafsson at UFC 165 was the closest fight of Jon Jones' title reign. Two judges scored it 48-47 for Jones and one scored it 49-46. Many observers believed Gustafsson had done enough to win the fight.
What records did Jones break at UFC 165?
Jones made his sixth consecutive LHW title defence, breaking Tito Ortiz's record for the most consecutive title defences at 205 lbs in UFC history.
What was Gustafsson's most notable achievement at UFC 165?
Gustafsson was the first fighter to take Jones down in the UFC. He also cut Jones early in the fight and landed clean boxing throughout the first three rounds. He came closer to defeating Jones than any previous opponent.
Why was the Barao vs Wineland fight at UFC 165?
It was originally scheduled as the main event of UFC 161 in Winnipeg in June 2013. Barao withdrew with a foot injury 25 days before the event. UFC 165 was the rescheduled date for the Interim BW Championship fight.
Did Jones and Gustafsson go to the hospital after UFC 165?
Yes. Both fighters were transported to hospital immediately after the event. Dana White described it as a fight where both men felt they were going to die. It was one of the most physically demanding title fights in LHW history.
References
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