10 Most Underrated UFC Bouts Of 2019
4. Jon Jones Vs. Thiago Santos (UFC 239)
2019 represented yet another year of Light Heavyweight prosperity for the division's current champion, Jon Jones.
A unanimous decision victory over Anthony Smith in March got 'Bones' off to a positive start. Yet, it was his showdown with Thiago Santos at UFC 239 which proved to be the real acid test of exactly how dominant he could be in this current landscape.
Santos is known for being an unpredictable commodity and exhibited his fearless/chaotic approach throughout the pair's championship bout.
In the opening exchanges between the two, Santos was able to discombobulate Jones with a lovely sweeping left leg kick and shook the champ again with a few more right legged offerings as the fight continued.
This initial onslaught forced Jones to kick up a gear and use his ability to keep his opponent at arm's length to his advantage. At one point, Santos even injured himself via his own attempted right check kick. Despite this, the Brazilian still fought back and gave Jones a constant reminder of his KO potential every time he got too close.
The fight was as even a contest as Jones had ever been a part of and he only just shaded the victory by a split decision.
It may not have been a battle on par with his Gustafsson offerings, but this closely contested Light Heavyweight skirmish is an underrated reminder of just what talent is sitting in the division outside of the indomitable champion.