It was nearly an afterthought. The main event at UFC 165, went the narrative, was simply too lopsided to be interesting. Jon Jones, the light heavyweight champ, has too much wrestling. His takedowns are too strong. The UFC, went the jokes, was promoting the fight more with challenger Alexander Gustafsson’s height and reach than any actual ability to win.
That, as they say, is why they fight the fights.
Gustafsson and Jones waged a five-round war that instantly went to the top of the Fight of the Year list. And it redeemed a fight card that was pretty lackluster up to that point. Who prevailed Saturday night, and who failed? Here are the grades for every main card fighter.