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Source: ABS-CBN News

-- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones retained his title in dominant fashion, routing challenger "Suga" Rashad Evans in the main event of UFC 145 Saturday in Atlanta (Sunday morning in Manila).

In what was an emotionally charged fight, Jones remained cool as he systematically broke down Evans with precise and powerful striking for five rounds, while at the same time using his considerable reach advantage to keep Evans at bay.

Jones was declared the winner via unanimous decision, with scores of 49-46, 49-46 and 50-45. He has now defended the UFC light heavyweight title three times, with all of three title defenses coming against former champions.

"Definitely (it was) my most satisfying victory... It was who I beat that was very important to me," Jones said.

Evans was expected to give Jones the toughest test as the two fighters were former training partners and frequently sparred together during their time at Jackson's MMA.

But like many of Jones's opponents, Evans found himself frustrated by the champion's long reach. "Suga" tried numerous times to push forward and attack the champion, only to be kept away by a stiff jab.

Evans had some success late in the first round and again in the second round with his overhand rights, but for the most part he was unable to rattle the champion.

Jones took control of the bout for good in the third round, when he hurt Evans with elbows to the head and the body. By the fourth round, Evans had a noticeable welt on his forehead.

"He had those sneaky elbows that he got in there," Evans acknowledged after the fight. "He is pretty crafty... He is creative and he kept me on my toes."

"Give him props," Evans added.

It was the first time that Jones had ever been taken to five rounds in his career, and he admitted that he was surprised that he was not able to finish off Evans.

"I had a goal to finish this fight, but what a great competition," he said.

The build-up to the fight saw Evans and Jones exchange harsh words and accusations. The two fighters had a bitter falling out that led Evans to leave their gym at Jackson's MMA, and the former champion had waited for over a year to challenge Jones for the belt.

But Evans's offensive attack and wrestling game was completely taken apart by Jones, and he suffered only his second loss in his career.

"I have to get better and build my way up to the top again," Evans said.

Jones has now defeated four former UFC light heavyweight champions. He won the title by defeating Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and defended the belt against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida and Evans.

MacDonald TKOs Mills; Filipino Phenom wins

In the main under-card bout, welterweight prospect Rory MacDonald sent a strong message to the rest of the division with a dominant technical knockout victory over Che Mills.

The young MacDonald continued his ascent in the welterweight division as he showcased a vicious ground-and-pound game. He took control of the bout late in the first round, when he was able to take Mills to the mat and unleashed heavy punches.

Mills was able to survive the first round, but MacDonald was at it again in the second, hurting Mills with strong punches to the head. The referee stopped the bout when Mills was unable to defend himself from MacDonald's assault.

"I could tell I was landing big shots. When I hit guys on the ground, I know they’ll be hurt, so I just stayed on him," MacDonald said.

Despite the impressive victory, MacDonald believes that he is not yet ready to challenge for the welterweight title.

"I want to be champion one day, but I'm still very young. One thing I lack is experience, and I'm aware of that. I need to get a lot more fights," MacDonald said.

In the curtain raiser, Eddie "The Filipino Phenom" Yagin won the first fight of his UFC career with a split decision victory over Mark Hominick.

After going back-and-forth for three bloody rounds, Yagin was given the decision 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28.

Yagin dropped Hominick in the first and second rounds, but could not finish him on both occassions. Despite being hurt, Hominick was able to do damage especially in the latter part of the second round, when Yagin was looking tired.

The two fighters exchanged punches all the way to the final bell, with both Hominick and Yagin bleeding profusely by the end of the match.

In the other undercard bout, Michael McDonald knocked out Miguel Torres in a bantamweight match-up, while Ben Rothwell also knocked out Brendan Schaub in the first-round of their heavyweight encounter.