Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson I
đź“… Date: September 21, 2013
🏆 Title Bout: UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
đź“Ť Location: Air Canada Centre, Toronto
đź“– Result: Jon Jones def. Gustafsson via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
⚔️ Round-by-Round Analysis
Round 1 – Surprise From the Start
Gustafsson came out loose, confident, and fast, surprising Jones with clean boxing and great movement. He used angles to avoid Jones’s kicks and landed solid jabs and right hands, setting the tone early. Jones looked surprised by Gus’s range and timing, and struggled to find his rhythm. Then, the shocker: Gustafsson became the first man to officially take Jones down in the UFC.
Edge: Gustafsson
Notable Damage: Clean shots to the head, one takedown, reddened Jones’s face
Round 2 – Even Exchanges
Jones picked it up, using more leg and body kicks, but Gustafsson’s boxing stayed sharp. Both fighters had their moments, but Gus continued to land clean left hooks and uppercuts, frustrating Jones. Jones’s kicks to the legs and body slowed Gustafsson slightly, but not enough to shift the round clearly.
Edge: Close, but slight to Gustafsson
Notable Damage: Jones bleeding around the eye; Gustafsson absorbed hard kicks to the legs and ribs
Round 3 – Tactical Adjustment
Jones began to use his elbows more frequently, especially off the clinch. Gustafsson still landed clean shots, but Jones’s kicks and spinning elbows began to add up. The pace was still frantic, but Jones slightly edged ahead with volume and variety, despite Gustafsson’s continued sharp boxing.
Edge: Jones (narrow)
Notable Damage: Gustafsson’s face started to show swelling; Jones still bleeding
Round 4 – Momentum Shift
This round was the turning point. Gustafsson started strong but began to slow down for the first time. Jones, sensing the shift, landed a brutal spinning elbow that rocked Gustafsson badly. Jones poured on pressure, finishing the round strong with his best flurry of the fight.
Edge: Jones (clearly)
Notable Damage: Gustafsson visibly hurt for the first time; face bloodied and swollen
Round 5 – Championship Heart
Both fighters were exhausted. Gustafsson kept moving, jabbing, and staying dangerous, but Jones dug deep. He landed more kicks, another big elbow, and kept pressuring despite the damage he’d taken. Gustafsson fought back bravely, but the champ edged the round with output, control, and grit.
Edge: Jones
Notable Damage: Both men bloodied, exhausted, and running on willpower
🩸 Damage Breakdown
| Fighter | Damage Taken | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Jones | Significant facial swelling and bleeding | Took more head strikes early, first-ever takedown |
| Alexander Gustafsson | Heavy facial swelling, rocked in R4 | Absorbed elbows, kicks, and pressure in championship rounds |
🧠Legacy Impact
- Widely regarded as one of the greatest fights in MMA history
- Gustafsson proved Jones was human, forcing him into the deepest waters of his career
- Elevated both fighters — Jones’s heart and championship grit were tested, and Gustafsson earned global respect
- Fight of the Year (2013), and still a gold standard for light heavyweight wars
⚡ TL;DR
Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson 1 was a brutal, high-skill, 5-round war where Gustafsson pushed Jones further than anyone ever had. Gus out-boxed him early, but Jones rallied with spinning elbows, heart, and championship composure to retain the belt. A razor-close classic that still holds up as one of MMA’s greatest fights.