UFC 247 results, highlights: Jon Jones outpoints Dominick Reyes to retain light heavyweight title

Some questionable judging may have led to 'Bones' walking out victorious in Houston

With boos streaming down as the result of a trio of disputed scorecards inside Toyota Center, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones added another honor to his legendary career. Jones (26-1, 1 NC) set a UFC record for victories in title bouts with his 14th by rallying to edge a determined Dominick Reyes on Saturday via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 247 in Houston. 

Reyes (12-1) set a hectic pace over the first three rounds and appeared to hurt Jones numerous times by outstriking him with body shots and hard left hands. But all three judges preferred Jones' gusty turnaround, helped by a handful of takedowns over the final two rounds to claim scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46. CBS Sports scored the bout 48-47 for Reyes. 

What do you make of UFC 247 and Jon Jones' future? Subscribe to our podcast State of Combat with Brian Campbell where we analyze everything that went down in Houston minutes after the event wrapped up at the Toyota Center.

"Dominick did a tremendous job. You have totally deserved my respect man," Jones said. "I think the difference in the fight was takedowns. I couldn't keep him down but at least I took him down. The exchanges were close with kickboxing but I believe my takedowns are what won it."

Fueled by a sense or urgency, Jones scored a pair of takedowns early in the fourth and fifth rounds as Reyes began to slightly fade. To Reyes' credit, however, Jones was unable to keep him down for more than a few seconds each time. The champion did, however, routinely back Reyes up in the final two rounds and visibly hurt him with a head kick.

"I had him one through three, man," Reyes said. "I was all over him. It is what it is. I'll get better. I proved that I'm the real deal."

It remains unclear what will be next for the champion given his flirtations with the heavyweight division and a desire to face champion Stipe Miocic. There's also the possibility of facing middleweight champion Israel Adesanya should the 185-pound champ beat Yoel Romero next month. The New Zealand native had his remarks after the main event with a simple smirk.

UFC president Dana White said after the fight that he scored it for Reyes but is seeing scores all over the place from a variety of media and fans alike. 

"My kids are terrorizing me that the fix is in. 'How does this happen, Dad? Reyes won the fight!' None of us are judges. The judges call the fight and that's it," White told ESPN after the fight. "He's the G.O.A.T., all the things he's accomplished. Jon Jones isn't 25 years old anymore. He's taking on these young killers and he finds a way to win these fights. I just think the bar is set so high, you have such high expectations."

CBS Sports was with you all evening bringing you results and analysis as the UFC returns to Houston.

UFC 247 card and results

Jon Jones (c) def. Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Valentina Shevchenko (c) def. Katlyn Chookagian via third-round TKO (punches)
Justin Tafa def. Juan Adams via first-round TKO (punches)
Dan Ige def. Mirsad Bektic via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Derrick Lewis def. Ilir Latifi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Trevin Giles def. James Krause via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Lauren Murphy def. Andrea Lee via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Kalin Williams def. Alex Morono via first-round TKO (punches)
Mario Bautista def. Miles Johns via second-round TKO (punches)

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:08 am ET · Brian Campbell]

SCORECARDS: 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 for Jon Jones. It's a unanimous decision.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:05 am ET · Brian Campbell]

I've got it 48-47 for Reyes as we head to the scorecards.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:05 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R5: Reyes showing great footwork to get out of trouble. Jones misses a spinning back fist. Give the final round to Jones, 10-9.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:05 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R5: Inside leg kick from Jones. Spinning back kick to the stomach. Another kick to the legs for Jones.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:04 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R5: Good boxing from Reyes to keep Jones at distance. One minute to go ...

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:04 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R5: Reyes trying hard to keep the champion off of him. Nice counter left hand from Reyes after ducking a high kick.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:03 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R5: Hard kick to the body from Jones. Lead left hand from Jon. Spinning back kick connects for the champ.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:02 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R5: Reyes jabs to the body. Lead elbow lands for Jones. Reyes to the body again. It is back and forth as Jones stalks forward.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:02 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R5: Jones continues to pour on the pressure. Amazing cardio from the champ but he still needs something big. Nice body kick from Jones.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:02 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R5: Good defense from Jones to swallow up a combination. Lead elbow hits for Jones. Reyes counters with a combo.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:01 am ET · Brian Campbell]

ROUND 5: Inside leg kick from Reyes. Jones shoots a double leg and gets him down. Reyes works back to his feet but Jones stays stuck to him.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 1:00 am ET · Brian Campbell]

Jones' corner asks him for "five minutes of hell."

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:59 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R4: Big left hook from Jones before the horn. Give the round to the champion, 10-9.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:59 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R4: Reyes lands a left hand but there wasn't a ton on it. Jones blocks a head kick. Good left hand from Reyes.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:58 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R4: Good defense from Jones to cover up. Nice jab and body punch from Jones. Back comes Jones with an elbow to back him up. The champion smells blood. Left hook from Jones.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:57 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R4: Nice outside leg kick from Jones. He is likely going to need a finish given the potential hole he is in on the scorecards.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:56 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R4: Jones gets his back while standing. Nice elbow over the top from Jones. The champion is mounting a comeback ever so slowly.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:56 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R4: Jones has urgency. Short elbow lands to the nose of Reyes. Low kick from Jones. Reyes looks to be tired after fighting off the takedown attempts.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:55 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R4: Jones bleeding from his nose. He is getting beat up. Believe that.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:55 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R4: Finally Jones gets him down but Reyes stands right back up.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:55 am ET · Brian Campbell]

ROUND 4: Right hook lead from Reyes and a left cross! Another left hand! Jones forces the clinch but Reyes stuffs him.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:53 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R3: Reyes blocks a flying knee attempt at the horn. Give him another round, 10-9.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:52 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R3: Left hand lead for Reyes. Jones is the aggressor but Reyes is fighting him off. They trade left hands. Good jabs from Jones. Reyes answers to the body. Lead left hand again for Reyes.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:51 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R3: Reyes elbows his way out of the clinch. Left hand to the body from Reyes. Is Jones just outgunned or he is playing the long game and hoping to wear his opponent out? This is super compelling.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:51 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R3: Left hand to the body from Reyes and an uppercut right after. He blocks a high kick from Jones. Finally, Jones goes for a takedown attempt but Reyes stands tall to stuff it.

[Feb 9, 2020 at 12:50 am ET · Brian Campbell]

R3: Blood dripping from Reyes' nose. Nice body shot from the challenger. And a kick to the body. Jones works the legs with side kicks but he has yet to shoot on Reyes.